QSFer Antonia Aquilante has a new MM fantasy romance out: To Know a Dragon Spy.
Once upon a time, before the hunts, dragons were plentiful in the world. Now they exist only in legend…except in the land of Ivria.
Felix is a prince, cousin of the current king, ward of the old one. Knowing he would never sit on the throne, he set himself to become something else—the king’s best spy. Aside from a trusted few, people know him as a frivolous, flirtatious prince. They don’t see the keen mind behind the charming smile or the love of family and quiet behind the silks and jewels. They certainly don’t know he is the eyes and ears of the king. Felix still blames himself for not discovering the plot against Ivria and its king at its beginning, and he’s determined to find the remaining members of the conspiracy. If the commander of the King’s Guard will get out of his way.
Alan is commander of the King’s Guard, a role he set himself on the path toward when he was very young. He takes his duty seriously, so seriously there is little room for anything else in his life—not the pastimes he used to enjoy or family or even love. Especially now with the heightened danger to the royal family. He crushed his attraction to the beautiful Prince Felix long ago, but when he finds out Felix is more than he appears, Alan immediately becomes suspicious. Is Felix working for the king or against him? Alan won’t let himself be fooled by a pretty face that hides so much, no matter how he used to feel.
But the real danger is closer than Felix or Alan realizes, and they’re going to have to get over their animosity for each other—and deal with the desire that sparks when they do—if they’re going to survive it.
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Excerpt
Felix lounged against the balustrade of the balcony above Wyndward Castle’s entry courtyard. His pose was carefully constructed to give the impression of a prince lazily enjoying the warmth of a late summer day, taking in the view out over the courtyard and down the hill to the town and the lake. From the distance, no observer would be able to see the sharpness of his gaze.
He was enjoying the late summer day, the gentle breeze making him wish he was gliding along it on outstretched wings instead of letting it ruffle his dark hair, but the pleasant weather wasn’t what had him outside this morning. The activity below had drawn him out and kept his attention. With the king’s wedding day rapidly approaching, the area surrounding the castle was bustling with far more people than it usually saw at once, even as the home of Ivria’s king. And each of those people was a potential threat.
Well, that wasn’t entirely true, and Felix wasn’t going to allow himself become perpetually suspicious just because not so many months ago they had discovered a treasonous plot against king and country. Lysander hadn’t become paranoid—more protective, certainly, but not paranoid about everyone’s motives. And Felix wouldn’t either, but he was keenly aware they hadn’t apprehended everyone involved in that plot.
It had been an insidious conspiracy, one that had spread tendrils through some of the leading families in the clans. Made up of people who believed those with the dragon Talent were superior to those who could not transform into dragons, who believed Ivria should not keep itself safe and secret but should go out into the world beyond the mountains that concealed them. And then rule that world by dint of their supposed superiority.
Felix thought the whole thing mad.
They were no better than anyone else because they had the dragon Talent instead of some other magic or no magic at all, and there was no reason to think anything would be different if they emerged into the world once more and revealed dragons to be something other than legend. No reason to believe the dragon hunts wouldn’t begin again.
Felix gave himself a mental shake and focused on the scene before him. People were arriving by wing, horse, or carriage already, taking lodging in town or camping near the lake if they didn’t have claim to the limited accommodations in the castle. Children played, vendors sold their wares, and dragons wheeled in the clear blue sky. Today, surveying this scene, he found it difficult to believe that not so long ago shock and horror had rippled out through the country. Felix wished he could let what had happened go so easily. Perhaps if it were really over he could begin to put it behind him, could begin to come to terms with how something so serious had taken root under his nose.
Wasn’t this his whole purpose? For nearly his entire life, he’d molded himself into what he was, honed himself to be of use to Lysander, his king, his cousin. The man who was more a brother to him than the one he’d been born with. His fingers curled against the stone. Felix would not fail again.
The door behind him opened, and he forced his fingers to uncurl, letting his hand fall into a deliberate, graceful pose. Then he truly relaxed when Thalia stepped outside.
“There you are.” The princess closed the door behind her and crossed to Felix, the amber silk of her gown swishing with each step. She was dressed for court, as he was, her gown at the height of fashion and perfectly cut for her lush figure, her thick, dark hair intricately braided and threaded with pearls, more pearls dangling from her ears and circling her throat. “I was wondering where you’d disappeared to.”
“I’m not meant to be anywhere at the moment.”
“No, not quite yet. We have to go down to greet today’s arrivals soon.” Her face was set into serene lines as she studied the same scene that had held his attention. It was unlikely someone could see the nuances of their expressions at such a distance, but better to be safe than let anything slip.
“You know I wouldn’t abandon you to it,” Felix said. They were both thrilled Lysander had found Sascha—who was the perfect match for him and a perfect addition to their little family—but the wedding festivities were work.
“I know.” She turned to him, her gaze shrewd. “So why are you out here brooding?”
“I am not brooding. I do not brood. I came out for some fresh air.”
Thalia laughed. The rich sound floated out on the breeze and drew the attention of people in the courtyard. There were respectful acknowledgements when those below realized who was on the balcony, but most returned to their business quickly, used to the sight of the royals or too busy to be bothered. A few—likely visitors who hadn’t spent much time at Wyndward—continued to stare until they were encouraged along into the castle.
“Fine, you’re not brooding, which is good because Alan does enough of that for all of us.” Thalia’s lips quirked into a slight smile when Felix snorted inelegantly. “You are worrying though.”
“Of course.” Crowds of people were gathering at Wyndward and too many of them would be too close to the king with conspirators still on the loose. “Aren’t you?”
“Yes,” she replied simply. “But we can’t change the situation. Lysander and Sascha couldn’t have married quietly.”
No, they couldn’t have. It would have shown weakness and deprived Ivria’s people of the festivity they needed. “We can only be so careful.”
Thalia hummed thoughtfully. “Have you heard anything?”
“No.” And he was listening. Information was his trade, so to speak. Which was why failing to hear of the plot still rankled. “But I’m going to learn everything about and from everyone who comes here for the wedding.”
“From anyone else, I’d think that was an exaggeration, but I know you’ll do it.”
“I won’t miss something again.”
Author Bio
Antonia Aquilante has been imagining characters and stories for as long as she can remember and, at the age of twelve, decided she would be an author when she grew up. After many years of career twists and turns, she is now the author of twelve LGBTQ fantasy romance novels. Her latest book is To Know a Dragon Spy, the second book in the Dragons of Ivria series.
| Author Website | www.antoniaaquilante.com |
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| Author Bluesky | @antoniaaquilante.bsky.social |
| Author Facebook | www.facebook.com/antoniaaquilanteauthor |
| Author Other Social Media | Instagram and threads: @antonia.aquilante |