Nancy McKenzie

Within the lush, hidden groves of Sylvan Vale, a young orphan named Lyra discovers an ancient relic awakening her dormant powers. As whispers of her awakening spread, factions from distant courts seek her allegiance, each promising safety or dominance. Her journey takes her through bustling marketplaces, shadowed forests, and forgotten temples, where she confronts betrayals and alliances alike. With every step, she learns more about her mysterious origins and the destiny woven into her very blood. The stakes escalate when she uncovers a plot that threatens to plunge her homeland into chaos, forcing her to choose between personal freedom and the salvation of her people. Her courage and wit become her greatest weapons against the encroaching darkness, as she fights not just for survival but for the hope of a new dawn.

Guinevere begins as a child queen, narrow in scope but wide in potential, as she navigates a treacherous court, the expectations of lineage, and the pull of a political marriage with Arthur. The tale concentrates on her formation—her alliances, her defiance, and the small, intimate acts that determine whether a queen can govern with compassion amid the gleam of banners and the sharp edge of knives. The book captures the fever and fragrance of a Camelot under construction, where every decision reverberates through the hall and into the lives of those she loves.