Nonmagical people are being demonized and falsely blamed for Magnifico’s economic problems after Queen Vivian’s bloody rise to power. But politics very quickly become more than abstract views to argue about when secret police wolves are deployed throughout the country to kill those born without magical abilities.<br><br>Seventeen-year-old Maximillian’s best friend Katherine is one such nonmagical person. In a bid to keep her safe, Maximillian turns to the queen’s estranged younger brother, a man thought to be dead until recently.<br><br>Prince Stefan is nineteen years old and has been in hiding from his family for years. He has no desire to resurface in the political world. Can Maximillian convince him the country needs him before it’s too late?

In the Name of Magic

“Was the kiss as good as the first time?” Stefan asked.


“Don’t get too cocky. I wouldn’t want you to resemble Vivian.”


Stefan pursed his lips—almost as if he had eaten something sour. “Never compare me to her.”


“My bad. I didn’t mean to offend you.”


“I was only joking.” Stefan messed up my hair before I even realized what he was doing. Damn. I never once considered how fast his reflexes were.


I squealed. “Don’t mess with my hair. It’s precious!”


I found comfort in little moments. Like this one with Stefan. Sure. Violence was a reality. But life always continued, and I couldn’t let myself fall into a pit of self-pity. I needed to find comforts where I could. Life could be fine one moment and then terrible the next. Like life changed in an instant for Katherine and her parents. From registering to them being murdered by the secret police wolves had only taken what felt like a moment in time.


Chapter 31