Foolish Queen

Book excerpt: Time is growing short. Merely two years remain before the curse will claim Queen Peydra’s life and desperation steals some of her common sense. Despite advice to the contrary, Peydra returns to the palace after a disastrous visit to Old Towne and a six-week absence. She finds Speaker Erik cozy on her throne as regent. Determined to clarify whether he is friend or foe, the queen stubbornly puts herself at risk while Anthony and her allies fight to keep her safe. More of Anthony’s past comes to light when Peydra sends him on a quest to find the Stone of Drayden. A childhood friend with questionable loyalties waylays and later joins him. Despite the extra help, Anthony returns to the palace not with the stone, but with Novi, a young woman who calls herself the Protector of the Stone. Novi sets into motion a quiet hopeful plan to save the queen. Speaker Erik, having burned bridges between he and the queen, leaves the palace and sinks deeper into his father’s schemes, but his eyes are starting to open to the truth. As time grows short, Peydra makes erratic decisions that threaten not only her life but that of her men. Will Anthony finally tell her who he really is before it’s too late, and if he does, will Peydra forgive the seeming deceit or will she banish him so she can focus on what she believes she must do? • Foolish Queen is the third book in Fleming’s Curse of Royalty series. Queen Peydra and Anthony have difficulty adjusting to their return to the palace, specifically to the necessary personal distance. Peydra insists that she needs Erik’s support to defeat the curse so she stubbornly puts herself into danger, not only with the speaker but in several situations.