The Mad Queen's Massacre Series by J. Ellen Ross

"They've started calling me the Remembered Queen. Because no one will ever forget what I did." Jon grew up a petty criminal, picking pockets and running dice games in Anhalt, the cosmopolitan capital of Forint. Now, he lives in a tiny backwater, hiding from his past and trying to forget a tragedy so large it nearly destroyed him.His boring, quiet life is shattered when a strange girl appears – a young woman claiming to be Aviana, Queen of Tolar... more"They've started calling me the Remembered Queen. Because no one will ever forget what I did." Jon grew up a petty criminal, picking pockets and running dice games in Anhalt, the cosmopolitan capital of Forint. Now, he lives in a tiny backwater, hiding from his past and trying to forget a tragedy so large it nearly destroyed him.His boring, quiet life is shattered when a strange girl appears – a young woman claiming to be Aviana, Queen of Tolar.Aviana, who ordered the slaughter of hundreds during the Mad Queen's Massacre.Aviana, who fled her throne and vanished two years ago.The girl is haunted, confused, destitute and half-starved. On her back, someone has carved a tattoo that hides a powerful spell, but she has no memory of who cast it on her. Hunted by men and nightmare creatures, she might be the Remembered Queen. And as he's drawn to her, Jon knows he's either taken responsibility for a mad, troubled girl or solved the greatest mystery the Ivory Kingdoms have ever known. less

Jon and Aviana’s luck has run out. Once a petty criminal and hay-mower for hire, Jon’s quiet life was shattered when he found Aviana, the Remembered Queen, on a barstool in a tavern. Aviana, who ordered the slaughter of hundreds during the Mad Queen's Massacre. Aviana, who fled her throne and vanished two years ago. Convinced the confused, haunted girl had been a pawn in a deadly plot, he rescued her and for a year, he has hidden the queen of Tolar from the mage who once controlled her... moreJon and Aviana’s luck has run out. Once a petty criminal and hay-mower for hire, Jon’s quiet life was shattered when he found Aviana, the Remembered Queen, on a barstool in a tavern. Aviana, who ordered the slaughter of hundreds during the Mad Queen's Massacre. Aviana, who fled her throne and vanished two years ago. Convinced the confused, haunted girl had been a pawn in a deadly plot, he rescued her and for a year, he has hidden the queen of Tolar from the mage who once controlled her. In tiny villages and run down cottages, he's helped Aviana rebuild a life. But the mage isn’t done with her and his bounty hunters are scouring the countryside, hunting for her. Freed from the spells used to enslaved her, Aviana wants nothing more than to fade into obscurity - to disappear and be forgotten. But she’s a deposed queen, a pawn for powerful men who would give anything to find her, and her luck has run out. Swept away to the High King’s city of Alabaster, Aviana will face her old enemy and their confrontation will shake the foundations of the Ivory Kingdoms. less