🎺ROYAL TRUMPET SOUNDS🎺
📸RED CARPET UNROLLS📸
The Queen of YA Royal Romance is back, y’all! Kiera Cass, author of The Selection series and The Betrothed duology, is returning to our shelves this fall with A Thousand Heartbeats, her very first dual-POV novel!
This enemies-to-lovers standalone novel is about two teenagers, Annika and Lennox, on opposing sides of a conflict much older than they are. Princess Annika is dedicated to the throne, but Lennox? He’s determined to steal it back for his people. But against ALL the odds, love finds them both, and they find out just how irresistible it is.
We’re bringing you a sneak peek—start reading now!
At the same time that Annika was reaching to feel her sword in its hiding place beneath her bed, Lennox was wiping blood from his.
Lennox surveyed the hillside, catching his breath. Three more souls to add to the tally he’d long stopped counting. With all the lives lost at the tip of his sword, no one in the Dahrainian Army could challenge his authority. Annika, on the other hand, had drawn blood only once. And it was purely accidental. All the same, there were few who could challenge her authority, either.
The marked difference was that those who could, did.
Annika stood carefully, her legs still ever so slightly sore. She practiced her steps until she could move as gracefully as she was used to, and by the time her maid walked in, they both agreed her gait was passable. She sat at her vanity, her eyes looking at the edge of her bed reflected in the mirror. Her sword—hidden under her bed—would have to wait another day or two, but she was thrilled at the possibility of shattering one of the few rules she was still capable of breaking.
Lennox, meanwhile, sheathed his sword and strode down the quiet hillside. Kawan would be pleased with his update. Wanting to keep his situation as secure as he could, he made sure to never give him reason to be displeased. When this war was over—if it ever even started—an entire kingdom would be forced into submission, and Lennox would have his heel on the neck of it.
Annika and Lennox both focused on their upcoming day, unaware that the other existed, and blind to how they’d change the trajectory of each other’s lives.
Or how they irrevocably already had.
LENNOX
I walked back to the castle, trying to decide where to stop first: my quarters or the mess hall. I looked down at my coat and boots, wiping at my cheek. The back of my hand came away with traces of dirt, sweat, and blood, and I could see splatters of all three across my shirt as well.
I’d go by the mess hall, then. Let everyone see.
I headed toward the eastern-side entrance, which was the least tended area of Vosino Castle. To be fair, the rest of it wasn’t much better.
For lack of a better term, Vosino was a hand-me-down, left deserted by some forgotten kingdom and claimed as our home. Minimal effort was given to its maintenance. After all, it was only meant to be temporary.
As I walked in, I saw Kawan sitting at the head table. As usual, my mother was by his side.
No one ever joined them. Even I’d never been presented with an invitation.
The rest of the army sat as they pleased, mixing among unofficial ranks.
I drew attention the moment I entered, strolling coolly up the center aisle, my wrist resting on the hilt of my sword. Conversations dropped to whispers as people craned their necks to get a better view.
My mother noticed me first, her powder-blue eyes looking me over in a scowl. When people joined our ranks, finery and gowns were abandoned for a uniform of sorts, and most people were left with very little in the way of personal items.
Mother reaped the benefits of this: she came down to eat daily in dresses once worn by someone else in the castle, the only woman in Vosino Castle afforded such a privilege.
To her right, Kawan’s face was covered by the goblet he was drinking from. He slammed it on the table, wiping his wiry beard with the back of his already dirty sleeve. With a heavy sigh, he settled his eyes on me.
“What’s this?” he asked, motioning to my bloodstained clothing.
“We had three attempted deserters this morning,” I informed him. “You might want to send carts for the bodies before the wolves start scavenging.”
“Is that all?” Kawan asked.
Is that all?
No, it wasn’t all. It was the most recent act in a string of deeds done for the sake of our people, done in Kawan’s name, done to prove myself. And here I was, standing silent and dressed in blood, waiting for him to finally—finally—acknowledge me.
I stood my ground, demanding he take note.
“I think it fairly impressive to single-handedly subdue three young, well-trained recruits in the dark of night. To guard the secrecy of both our location and intentions and come out on the other side without a scratch. But I could be wrong.”
“You often are,” he grumbled. “Trista, tell your son to calm down.”
My eyes flickered to my mother, but she remained silent. I knew he was baiting me; it was one of his favorite pastimes. And still, I was very close to taking a bite. I was saved by a commotion in the hallway.
“Make way! Make way!” a boy shouted, running into the room.
A shout like that meant one thing: the most recent Commission was over, and our troops had returned.
I turned around and watched as Aldrik and his lackies strolled into the mess hall, each of them pulling two cows behind them.
Kawan let out a low chuckle, and I stepped to the side as my moment was eclipsed.
Aldrik was everything Kawan was looking for. Broad shoulders and a bendable will. His messy brown hair flopped forward over his forehead as he knelt down in the same place I’d just been standing. Behind him were two other soldiers, ones he’d specifically chosen to go with him for his Commission. They were covered in red mud, and one of them was shirtless.
I crossed my arms, taking in the scene. Six cows in the mess hall.
He could have left them outside, but Aldrik clearly knew this was by far the biggest and best conquest one of these missions had produced.
The worst? A body in a burlap bag.
“Mighty Kawan. I have brought back half a dozen cattle for the Dahrainian Army. I submit my offering before you, hoping it proves my loyalty and worthiness,” Aldrik said with his head bent low.
Several people applauded, grateful for resources. As if this would be enough to feed even a fraction of us.
Kawan stood and walked over, inspecting the cows. Once he was done, he slapped Aldrik on the shoulder and turned to the crowd. “What say you? Does this offering please you?”
“Yes!” everyone shouted. Well, almost everyone.
Kawan let out a guttural laugh. “I agree. Arise, Aldrik. You have served your people well.”
Applause rang out, and the crowd converged around Aldrik and his team. I used the opportunity to duck away. I could only shake my head, wondering who he’d stolen them from. I was about to mentally chastise him for being so proud of himself, but then I looked at my shirt and reminded myself exactly who I was and let it go.
It was just a job, and now my job was done, and I was going to sleep for a bit. Well, if the only woman I cared for in this castle would allow that.
I opened my door, and Thistle started yipping immediately.
I chuckled. “I know. I know.” I walked over to my sloppily made bed, scruffing the fur on the back of her head.
I’d found Thistle when she was just a kit. She’d been injured, and it seemed her pack had left her. If anyone understood that, it was me. Gray foxes were typically nocturnal—a fact I’d learned the hard way—but she always perked up when I came in.
She flopped back on the bed, showing me her stomach. I scratched her and then moved the planks from in front of the window.
“Sorry,” I told her. “I just didn’t want you to see me with a sword. Not like that. You can run off now if you want.”
She stayed on the bed as I looked at myself in the small, broken mirror on my desk. It was worse than I’d thought. Dirt was smeared along my forehead, and blood was splattered across my cheek. I took a deep breath and dipped a towel in my basin of water, wiping away everything I’d done.
Thistle was now pacing back and forth on my bed, looking at me with what I could have sworn were concerned eyes. Gray foxes were in the canine family. She had the senses of a wolf, and I had no doubt she could smell everything on me right now. I had a feeling she knew exactly the type of person I was and just what I’d done. But she was free to come and go, and she always came back, so I hoped she didn’t hold it against me.
It didn’t matter, either way. I held it against me.
ANNIKA
“Here, my lady,” Noemi said as she pinned the front of my dress to my stomacher. “This is the last one.” She bit her lip, looking like she was debating something.
I tried to give her my most reassuring smile. “Whatever it is, just say it. Since when are there secrets between you and I?”
She nervously touched her dark curls. “It’s not a secret, my lady. I’m just wondering if you’re ready to see him again. To see anyone again.”
Noemi chewed her lip. It was one of her many endearing habits.
I took her hand. “Founding Day is tomorrow. The people need to see their princess is well. My presence at court encourages our countrymen, and that is my primary role.” I ducked my head.
If Noemi had been my real sister, she might have argued with me. As my maid, she simply replied, “Very well.”
With my hair brushed and dress set, Noemi slipped me into my sturdiest shoes, and I headed out.
Though I had lived here my entire life, I was still in awe of Meckonah Castle, with its wide-open windows, vast marble floors, and an array of galleries. But above all Meckonah’s beauty, it was home.
My mother and father had forgone a church wedding in favor of exchanging their vows in the field outside.
I was born here. My first words, first steps, first everything happened for me here. I was so proud of it all, so in love with this palace and this land. There was very little I wouldn’t do for it. Indeed, there was apparently nothing I wouldn’t do for Kadier.
I walked slowly toward the dining hall. As I approached the door, I paused. Maybe Noemi was right—maybe it was too soon. But I’d been seen, and now it was too late.
Escalus noticed me before my father did, and he stood quickly, coming across the hall to greet me. The first real smile I’d had in weeks spread across my face as he embraced me.
“I’ve been aching to see you, but Noemi said you weren’t up for company,” he said quietly. He reached up, brushing a lock of hair from his face. Escalus and I had both been gifted our mother Evelina’s ashy-brown hair and her warm brown eyes, but there was no mistaking that it was Escalus who was the echo of Theron Vedette.
“It was dull, I assure you. Nothing but me sighing about my state. Besides, I’m sure you had much more important things to tend to.” I tried to sound breezy, but I sensed I was failing.
“You look different,” he said, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder.
I shrugged. “I feel different.”
He swallowed hard. “Is it all settled, then?”
I nodded and lowered my voice. “It’s all left to Father’s timing now.”
“Come and eat. ‘There’s no sorrow cinnamon cannot fix.’”
I giggled as we walked, thinking of our mother’s words. She had many cures for what ailed the soul. Sunshine, music, cinnamon . . .
But my laugh was short-lived as I came around to the other side of the table, curtsying to my father. Who was he going to be today?
“Your Majesty,” I greeted him.
“Annika. Glad to see you’re well again,” he said pointedly. In seven words, I knew the darkness that sometimes descended on his mind was low and thick today.
Downhearted, I took my place on his left and gazed out upon the courtiers quietly eating their breakfasts. It was musical in a way, the forks and knives tinging against the china plates, making chimes among the low thrum of voices. The light fell in sheets through the arched windows, and it looked like the morning was promising us a beautiful day.
“Now that you’re up and about, we need to discuss some business,” my father began. “Founding Day is tomorrow, so Nickolas will be arriving tonight. I thought it would give you an excellent opportunity to propose.”
“Tonight?” I’d made my peace with the decision as best I could, but I thought I’d have more time. “How did you even know I’d return to the court today?”
“I didn’t. But it needed to happen either way. He rarely comes to court without cause, and sooner is better than later. You can ask him after dinner.”
Well, he’d tied all that up neatly.
“And . . . I have to ask?”
Father shrugged. “Protocol. You outrank him.” His narrow eyes were on me; he was still angry at me for standing up to him. “And you have a . . . stouter disposition than we ever knew. So, I don’t see you fainting at the idea of taking the lead.”
I wanted to scream at him, to plead for my sweet father to come back to me. There was a man behind those eyes who understood me, who saw my mother in my face. And I missed him so much that I was doing everything I could to not despise this man.
But I was still my mother’s daughter. For her sake, I kept my smile on my face, determined to preserve what was left of our family.
“No, my lord. It won’t be a problem.”
“Good.” He turned back to his meal.
Escalus was true to his word. Cinnamon breads with icing were sitting right within arm’s reach. As tempting as they were, I’d completely lost my appetite.
LENNOX
I woke several hours later with Thistle’s muzzle on my leg. I looked down at her, wondering why she didn’t run off to wherever it was she tended to hide most of the day. Maybe she just knew I needed her.
The berries I’d picked this morning were still in my waistbelt, and I left them in a little pile for her on the edge of the bed as I redressed myself for the rest of the day. Black pants tucked into black leather boots, white shirt under a black waistcoat. And though I had no intention of riding today, I put on my cape.
I wandered from the depths of the castle out into hazy daylight, the winds off the ocean kicking my hair up as I walked toward the fields.
I could see down the rocky path to the ocean, where people were fishing in tandem with wide nets, using the handful of tiny boats we had. Others were spread out in the fields, harvesting grains. Some fruits and nuts grew naturally in the surrounding forests and up on the mountain, and the land was farmable here if we put in the work. It was a shame that it was so much work.
In the distance, I heard the clanging of swords, and I walked toward the arena, intending to offer a hand in training. Once I got there, though, I could see the group was already in Inigo’s capable ones, meaning I was all but useless. Hitching a foot up on the lowest plank around the arena, I settled in to survey for talent.
“That’s the one,” I heard someone whisper. “Killed three people this morning who tried to run. They say he’s the eyes and ears of Kawan.”
“If they capture someone important, he’s the only one who can . . . take care of them,” another hushed voice replied.
“Not even Kawan’s guards are cold enough to kill them.”
“Kawan is strong, but he isn’t heartless,” a third chimed in.
“Do you think he can hear us?”
“If I’m the eyes and ears of Kawan, it’s best to assume I can always hear,” I said without glancing their way.
Then I made the mistake of looking around the arena.
Every time I made eye contact with someone, they were quick to turn away.
I knew what recognition felt like. I wondered idly what it would be like to actually be known.
Then a deeper ache came to the surface, and I wondered what it would be like to be forgiven.
I kept my expression blank as I watched the fights, but my thoughts were swirling, tumbling over each other.
“Anyone impressive?”
I straightened as Kawan settled beside me.
I risked looking over at him, hoping he didn’t catch the disdain in my eyes.
He didn’t waste his energy on dressing to impress. He was clad in layers of old leather. His dark hair was tied back, but it was also unbrushed, and one long braid strayed over his right shoulder. It was my eyes that linked me to Mother, but the hair often tricked new recruits into thinking I was also his.
“Hard to say.”
He let out a grunt. “We got two boys in this week from Sibral.”
The word hung between us. Sibral was so far west they were practically neighbors to the enemy.
“That’s a long trek,” I commented.
“It is. They weren’t looking for us, it turns out. Didn’t know we existed. But they wandered to the edge of our lands, and they happily joined for lodging and warm clothes.”
“Didn’t know we existed,” I muttered.
“Don’t worry. They’ll all know soon enough.” He reached down, hitching up his heavy pants. “About your conquest this morning. Three against one is no small thing. But I would prefer that you stop them from running at all, rather than catching them. That would be a better use of your time. And we need the numbers.”
I bit my tongue. It wasn’t my fault if his little kingdom didn’t meet people’s expectations.
“What do you suggest?”
“Appropriate warning.” He looked up to the sky. “I hear you’re giving another lesson tonight. Make the consequences known.”
I looked away, sighing. “Yes, sir.”
He clapped me on the back. “Good boy. Keep an eye out here. If anyone shows promise, report to me.”
With that, he strode away, people parting as he approached. It was a similar reaction to the one I received when I walked somewhere, though his was much grander. I watched him go, thinking there might be something valuable in there. If I couldn’t be known or forgiven, perhaps it was enough to be feared.
ANNIKA
The scent of old books hit me the second I opened the library doors, and I felt the slightest bit of the weight I’d been carrying ease from my shoulders. I surveyed the space, taking everything in, basking in the peace the library brought me.
There was so much information in this room, so many stories. Toward the front, there were low shelves to walk through, almost like a maze, and open spaces with desks for studying. When the afternoon sun came through these windows, it was spectacular; studying in here allowed me to both read and be warmed by the sun like a cat. Bliss.
It was also a vast room, with a walkway up around a second level in the back section, and ladders in the front that made me dizzy just looking up at the highest rungs. Some of the older books were chained to the shelves; if anyone wanted to remove them from the library, they had to get permission from the king himself and then persuade Rhett— who guarded the library as if it were a living thing—to actually follow through with the command. Our collection was so extensive that neighboring kingdoms would sometimes come and borrow from us. There were even buckets of sand hidden under carved wooden benches, meant to save as much of the library as we could in the event of a fire. It was fortunate we’d never had any such incident.
As I surveyed the space, basking in the peace the library brought me, Rhett walked around a tall shelf, chuckling.
“I was wondering where you were!” he exclaimed, placing a pile of books on a nearby desk and coming over to embrace me.
Rhett was the only person in the palace who didn’t bother standing on ceremony with me. Maybe it was because we’d known each other since we were children, or because he’d gotten his start as a stable hand and was used to seeing me messy and loud, but Rhett treated me like the tiara in my hair was just any other bobble.
“I’ve been a bit under the weather,” I told him.
“Nothing too serious, I hope,” he said, pulling back and flashing a wide smile.
“Not at all.”
He smirked. “What are you in the mood for today?”
“Fairy tales. Ones where they get everything they ever wanted, ones with a happily ever after.”
That smirk stayed plastered to his face, and he hooked his finger as if to say, Follow me. “Lucky for you, we got something new last week. And, because I know you so very well, my lady, I know for a fact that you haven’t read . . . this one,” he said, snatching a book off a high shelf, “in far too long.”
He placed the well-worn novel in my hand, and I wondered if anyone else here had ever read this but me. Sometimes it felt like I was the only one in the entire palace who bothered with the library.
“This will be perfect, actually. Comforting.”
“Take a new one as well,” he insisted, piling it on the other. “You read abnormally fast.”
“Not fast enough,” I said with a smile.
He stared at me for a moment, something unfamiliar passing across his eyes. “Would you like to stay and have tea? Or, even better, I found another lock for you to try. . . .”
I sighed, wanting to stay. But tomorrow was going to be exhausting. And tonight would be even worse.
“Save the lock for next time. I’m going to be better than you one of these days.”
“Will you be a superior leader? Yes. A faster reader? Of course. But quicker at picking a lock?” he said in mock outrage. “Never!”
I giggled. “One, we’ll see about that. And two, I won’t ever lead; I will happily live under the rule of my brother. Someday.”
“All the same,” he replied, his contented smile never fading.
“Thank you for the books.”
“Anytime, Your Highness.”
With that I was on my way. I’d been aware that my legs might bother me today, but being on my feet for so long was more painful than I’d thought it’d be. When the books slipped from my hands halfway up the stairs, I lunged a little too quickly—and I knew that something was really wrong.
I hissed at the searing sensation on the back of my left leg, and I looked around quickly, thankful I was alone.
I moved gingerly, taking longer than I cared to but unable to move any faster. Finally I reached my room, and pushed the door open.
“Your Highness!” Noemi cried as she rushed over and closed the door behind me.
I winced as I pulled up my skirts. “How bad?”
“It looks like a cut has opened up. The good news is, it’s just the one. Let’s get you to the bed.” She put her neck under my arm, and I slowly pushed myself upright. “What in the world did you do?”
“Ate food. Went to the library. You know how reckless I can be.”
Noemi chuckled as she laid me down on my stomach. “It’s nice to hear you make jokes again.”
I’d wondered about that, if laughter would ever come back. “Would you bring the books, please? So I have something to do?”
She ran back and fetched the books, setting them on my bedside table. I stared at the tattered cover beside the pristine one, grateful that Rhett had insisted on both. I was going to be bed-bound for the afternoon.
“His Majesty sent word that you had an important meeting tonight. He wanted me to prepare your best dress. I’d usually go with the silver, but seeing as this has opened, maybe something in a dark red would be safer?”
“That’s very smart, Noemi. Thank you.”
“This will sting.”
“I know.”
I tried not to make a sound as she did her work. The less she knew of my pain, the better. I lay there, trying to think of the words to propose to someone. Specifically, someone I had no interest in marrying.
I sighed, trying to push my disgust away. Mother and Father’s marriage was arranged, and theirs was a love so grand that its end ruined my father from the inside out. When Mother went missing, he was inconsolable for months.
So I knew firsthand that a marriage of convenience needn’t be a terrible thing. Besides, the palace was so large that we could probably make it through the better part of the week only seeing each other at mealtimes. I would still have my room and my library and my brother and Noemi. I’d still have the stables and all the faces I’d come to love and trust.
I’d just also have a husband. That’s all.
As Noemi finished her task, I picked up one of the books, getting lost in a world where the people had all their dreams come true.
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