She sacrificed herself to save her family from poverty…
The ball was only the beginning.
It wasn’t enough to kill my mate, heir to the throne. My obsessive Fae brother-in-law wants the crown. And he wants me ruling by his side.
I thought I was done with romance until a certain pompous elf reappeared in my life at the illustrious Monster Ball. A little teasing led to bruised lips and captured hearts. No one wants Jhaeros and me to be together, not even my favorite sister, Melarue. But she’s a teenager just coming into her elemental powers and discovering boys—the wrong kind—the type I want to shoot arrows through.
My royal in-laws are playing a treacherous game, and my brother-in-law is determined to get what he wants. But this elf princess no longer has a master. I don’t want a crown. I want freedom, family, and the love of a lifetime. But love might be the one thing that destroys us all.
**This book will now include the prequel novella Enemies and Lovers.

Nikki Jefford is an award-winning, bestselling author of paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and quirky combinations in-between.
She is a third-generation Alaskan now living in the Pacific Northwest with her Westie, Cosmo, and her French husband, who she wouldn’t trade in for anyone–not even Spike or Mr. Darcy!
When she’s not writing, she’s reading, walking, or out riding her motorcycle, a Honda CB500F, (so long as it’s sunny and warm)!
To get in on the fun and adventure, visit Nikki at her website for release alerts, updates, exclusive giveaways, and a free story when you subscribe to her newsletter: http://nikkijefford.com/

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One more night in Sweetbell.

I skipped dinner to avoid Father’s scathing tongue and Shalendra’s venomous glare. I’d had adversaries in Faerie, too, but none of them thought as ill of me as my own father and sister.

One more night, I reminded myself.

I couldn’t wait to return home—to settle into a cozy, little cottage with Mel and make up for the time we’d lost together. We could maintain the place ourselves and discuss her elemental magic further. It would give her more time to warm up to Jhaeros and see the wonderful male I’d come to know.

I hated to admit it, but my brother-in-law, Liri, had given me a second chance by poisoning Cirrus. If not for him, I might have been stuck in Faerie forever. Cirrus had been nice enough, and more attentive than I required, but he’d forbidden me from visiting my family. He was all too happy to deliver letters back and forth between the realms, but it hadn’t been enough, and a dark part of me reveled in his death.

“Yes, I did us both a favor,” a husky voice whispered across the room after I’d crawled into bed.

My eyes flew open, and my body tensed, sensing the presence nearby.

His skin was as pale as the moon, his hair white as snow. He’d braided it back into a whiplike tail that followed him as he crept along the edge of my bed.

I tried to sit up, but every bone in my body felt as though it had turned to mashed potatoes. “What are you doing here, Liri?” I demanded.

He smirked. “I am not really here, which is a shame.” He climbed onto my bed, walking on his knees toward me. The mattress made no movement, no dip or shudder. “See?” His smile widened as he made his way toward me until he straddled my limp body.

I narrowed my eyes at the pitiless face above mine. He was beautiful, but I knew better. “Why are you here?” I asked again.

“I’ve come to check on you,” Liri said, stroking the blanket near my hip. I hated the tingle I felt even though he wasn’t really here, wasn’t really touching me. But my brain said otherwise. He smiled coyly, well aware of the fact that he didn’t need to physically touch me for me to feel him.

“I would have come sooner,” he continued in a lazy drawl, “but I’ve been busy.”

“Poisoning more rivals?” I asked in a haughty tone.

Liri’s next smile showed all his teeth, white and gleaming like his hair and skin. If it weren’t for his pointed ears, I might think him a vampire. He was just as heartless.

He stared at my lips, his eyes turning lambent. “My desire for you has not changed, nor my wish to have you as my bride.”

“Nor have my wishes changed,” I fired back. “I’m back in the elven realm where I belong—where I want to be.”

Liri shook his perfectly sculpted face.

“You belong on the highest pedestal, my pet. Nothing short of a kingdom will do for such beauty, such grace, such…fire.” His eyes gleamed. His long, pale fingers faded into the covers on both sides of my thighs, causing my hips to rise toward him. Sure, now my limbs worked. I thought he’d rub it in my face, but his expression brightened with hunger.

“My brother made you a princess, but I, sweet Aerith, will make you a queen.”