The Afterlight Chronicles Series by Rose Reid

In Evrallon, skeletons have a way of escaping their closets. Before he captured Aerietta. Before he was betrayed by the princess. Before he became the Swordmaster. He still had secrets. Lyom Livingstone wasn't supposed to live to the age of twenty-two. He's never touched a sword in his life. He's known as the reckless, impulsive kid Blancathey can't get rid of. Get trapped in Rose Reid's spellbinding prequel to Crown of Crimson... moreIn Evrallon, skeletons have a way of escaping their closets. Before he captured Aerietta. Before he was betrayed by the princess. Before he became the Swordmaster. He still had secrets. Lyom Livingstone wasn't supposed to live to the age of twenty-two. He's never touched a sword in his life. He's known as the reckless, impulsive kid Blancathey can't get rid of. Get trapped in Rose Reid's spellbinding prequel to Crown of Crimson. Learn the secrets the Children have been guarding, discover the truth behind Evrallon's history, and uproot the hidden past the Swordmaster has done everything to bury. less

First Rule of the Cannon: Trust no one. Aerietta Elony is destined for evil. Born into a royal family, it was quickly discovered that she bore the Jezdah mark - an intricate tattoo meant to identify the Children of the Elements. To make sure his people never knew about the danger that hid in their midst, the king had his daughter sent to the leader of the Cannon, his order of assassins, where she would learn to become one of them... moreFirst Rule of the Cannon: Trust no one. Aerietta Elony is destined for evil. Born into a royal family, it was quickly discovered that she bore the Jezdah mark - an intricate tattoo meant to identify the Children of the Elements. To make sure his people never knew about the danger that hid in their midst, the king had his daughter sent to the leader of the Cannon, his order of assassins, where she would learn to become one of them. No one was ever supposed to know what Aerietta was, where she came from, or what she was destined to become. She's never worried what would happen if someone discovered her secrets. But when a neighboring kingdom attacks, and Aerietta is betrayed and captured, keeping her secret will mean the difference between life and death. When the king of the neighboring land enlists her services to track down one of her traitor companions, she has no choice but to accept. But in order to find her former friend and make it back to the king with her head still attached to her shoulders, she'll have to keep the enigmatic, inhuman Swordmaster in the dark, which proves to be more difficult than she could ever imagine. Deception abounds, danger is just as prevalent, but even in this world of demons and magic, the only thing Aerietta fears is herself. The Queen of Crimson accepts. less

Why is the first rule of the Cannon to trust no one? Because even your shadow will leave you in darkness.This is how Aerietta Elony was raised. She knew better than to trust anyone―especially her enemies. So how did she end up in Hell?Aerietta has never had a purpose in her life apart from surviving. After escaping the clutch of Azmar Quay, only to fall into the Cruel King's hands, it doesn't feel like her luck is improving... moreWhy is the first rule of the Cannon to trust no one? Because even your shadow will leave you in darkness.This is how Aerietta Elony was raised. She knew better than to trust anyone―especially her enemies. So how did she end up in Hell?Aerietta has never had a purpose in her life apart from surviving. After escaping the clutch of Azmar Quay, only to fall into the Cruel King's hands, it doesn't feel like her luck is improving. In fact, Aerietta is pretty confident she's going to die in these mines. If she could die, of course. But when Prince Finnegan Atwood shows up at her cell door, she's convinced things are only going to get better. Until she arrives at what Finnegan calls "the Citadel" and realizes what it is―the staging grounds for a war.Aerietta will do anything for her freedom. To finally be able to walk free, start a new life. But she is plagued with the curiosity about the mysteries surrounding her. Why were the silver mines empty of any silver? Why did Lyom show up in Kinecardine, only to turn away agin? Who are the whisperers that speak to her when she's asleep? And why is the most important artifact hanging around Princess Haraya's neck?Darkness veils the truth in disorienting shadows, secrets are kept at the cost of one's life, and Aerietta is about to learn that sometimes the only way out of the fire, is through it. less