Cover for Huntress of the Citadel, a closed-door fantasy romance by Regan Allen, showing a man with a crown and a woman dressed like a warrior inside a fanciful castle high in the clouds

Huntress of the Citadel, Book 3 in the Bonded Realms Series

January 13, 2025, from Edwards and Williams

She may be in for the fight of her life, falling in love with the enemy.

The seer may have foretold that Narani Randene would find her true love among the palaces of her enemy, but the warrior and huntress of the ancient race dwelling in the mysterious wildwood is determined to prove the seer wrong. Yet when she comes across a royal entourage under attack, she feels compelled to defend them only to find herself wounded and forced to recuperate in the monarch's own citadel.

The widowed Manus Abora, recently crowned ruler of the Arboran Monarchy, cannot help but admire the skill and stamina of the warrior who rescued him and his young daughter from peril. Now danger stirs across the land of Alyna, with other monarchies embracing invaders from the sea, and treachery stalks his city. He asks Narani to train his guard and protect his daughter, and swiftly realizes that it's his own heart that's most in danger from this quick-thinking, fast-acting, deadly beauty.

Manus proves a magnet for danger and for the machinations of every lady in leagues. As women compete to become his queen, Narani must decide where her destiny lies. Does she return to the wildwood to protect her people from the invaders, leaving behind the little girl she has come to love and the man who inexplicably holds her heart? Or does she start the fight of her life and earn the right to stand beside Manus as his queen?

Tropes: city girl/country boy, from different worlds, fish out of water, pulled out of your life, forced proximity, kick-butt heroine, royal hero, cinderella with a sword

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A Little Taste

"Your Majesty," the leader of the citadel guard said, gaze directed over Manus's right shoulder.

"Gentlemen," Manus said with a nod that did nothing to make them relax. "I have with me Lady Narani Randene, a celebrated warrior among her people. She was the one who saved my life when we were attacked in the wildwood."

Two of them darted glances at her, but the others remained frozen in place.

"All of Arboran is thankful for your safety, Your Majesty," their leader said.

Perhaps not all, or Manus would not have had to defend himself to begin with. "Lady Narani is considering joining your number as Princess Brianya's personal guard. She wanted to test your mettle. I know she will find none finer."

More gazes veered her way, and Manus did not like the hostility in them. He opened his mouth to reprimand them, but Narani released his arm and stepped forward.

"Where are the rest of you?" she demanded.

The leader blinked. He had brown eyes, perhaps a bit close together, and a scruff of a beard. "We're on duty this evening, my lady. The others are taking their leisure in the city."

Her jaw jutted out. "When the monarch is in danger, no one should be at their leisure."

"The only danger is the Barbarians," one called. He quickly ducked his head at a look from Manus.

"So you seem to think," Narani said. "But I have fought in your streets against your own people when they thought to topple the citadel." She paced back and forth in front of them, like a catamount ready to pounce. "One day, all Alyna will be at peace again, but that is not the case now. Have you heard the visions from the seer? Danger stalks our shores. You must be ready to meet it."

They remained standing, staring straight ahead, but Manus would have wagered not a one was truly listening to her. Anger at the insult stiffened his spine. But again, she surprised him by taking the initiative.

She stopped before the tallest. "You. Come at me."

His bushy blond brows shot up. "My lady?"

"Go on, Clevus," one of the others jeered. "She wants to take a piece out of you."

His face darkened, and he lunged at Narani. She stepped aside and let his momentum carry him past her, then whirled and gave him a good kick in the backside. He barely caught himself before slamming into the stone floor.

"You two," she demanded, turning to face the two guards on her right. "Show me how you would defend against me."

One of them had the audacity to laugh. He was soon on the floor next to his fellow guard, as was his comrade.

Their leader's eyes snapped fire. He obviously did not like being made a fool of before his monarch. He drew his sword.

Manus took a step forward, hand on the dagger at his hip.

Narani eyed the leader. "You would come at an unarmed woman?"

He waivered, the tip of the sword falling. A moment later, and it was clattering to the floor as she tossed him into one of the two remaining guards, who crumpled.

The final guard raised both hands, eyes wide. "I yield."

She shook her head and turned to Manus, his elite force at her feet, groaning. "They have much to learn. But I see potential. I will train them in a few days." She turned and stalked from the room.

What a woman! If only he could find a way to convince to stay at his side, forever.

Connected Books

Huntress of the Citadel is the third book in the Bonded Realms series. The others include

You can read the prequel, Princess of the Shadows, by signing up for my newsletter.

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