First round of Edits

Notes: ✅

Pen: ✅

Highlighter: ✅

Manuscript: ✅

First round of edits underway for Crown Restored 

Book 14 is done!

Officially typed my two favorite words! 

Final Chapters

Entering the final chapters of Crown Restored! Which means im closer to releasing Damaris and Huck for everyone to join them on their journey. Here is a small scene for everyone to enjoy. 

Damaris placed her hands on the window ledge and looked out at the village. It was still early, so most everyone was still asleep. Usually, this was one of her favorite times of the day, but not today. This wasn’t the first time she was meeting her people, but this time felt heavy. The weight pressed on her neck and shoulders. No matter how much she tilted her head from side to side, it didn’t relieve the pressure. 

Another worry flittered through her thoughts. She was sure she had everything she needed on Julien, but what if she didn’t? He could have more support than she knew. 

“Couldn’t sleep?” 

Turning, Damaris saw Nancy walking toward her. 

“You know I don’t sleep much,” Damaris said as she leaned against the window ledge. “Besides, I needed to gather my thoughts before meeting the villagers and farmers.” 

“They want to see you and know you’ll remember them when you’re queen,” Nancy said as she sat in the pew closest to the window. “There’s something else worrying you.” 

“You always could read me like a book,” Damaris said. 

She looked down at her fingers before shoving them in her pockets. “I’m worried about Julien.” 

“He’s still in Larmirs,” Nancy said without hesitation. 

The woman kept tabs on anyone of interest, especially those Damaris took an interest in. Or anyone involved with Julien. It was one reason she worried about Nancy. If Julien ever found out about Nancy, he would deal with the nun in ways that Damaris didn’t want to think about or even process. 

“Close to Parliament,” Damaris said. 

Julien lived in the palace. In her parents’ house. The man who killed his brother and sister-in-law lived in their house. A place he hadn’t lived before her parents’ deaths. 

Julien moved out of the palace when her parents married and moved back in when they died. It was one of the few things Parliament couldn’t deny him. 

“You know it’s handled. Now, why don’t you tell me what’s really going on inside that head of yours? Is it Huck?” Nancy asked with her hands folded in her lap. 

“Huck? No,” Damaris said, shaking her head. “I’m not worried about him.” 

Huck could take care of himself. He’d proven it time and again. The man was a soldier and a man of action, and he could handle anything Julien threw at him. 

“Because you’re in love with him.” 

Small Scene

Since it's been a while, here is a scene from my upcoming book Crown Restored. 

"Julien has requested inside this year," Richard said, slowly. 

"No!" She shouted as she jumped up and threw her napkin on the table. 

"Damaris," Edward said as he stood up slowly. 

"Honey, we'll be there with you," Ann said as she leaned forward. 

The comfort she felt from the family was strong, but her uncle could not be there. He just couldn't. 

"No. He doesn't get to be a part of this," she said, starting at Huck. "Please, don't say yes. Don't agree to his request." 

She knew she was pleading with him, but she had to make him understand. 

"Princess," Huck said, shaking his head. 

"Huckleberry," she said before taking a shuddered breath. 

The fact he called her princess meant it was already a done deal that Julien would be there. The man never used her title unless it was serious. 

"He killed them," she whispered as she tried to hold on to her composure. "He doesn't deserve admittance." 

"His part in their deaths hasn't been proven. It's as much his right to be there as much as it is yours," Edward said, placing his hands on the table. "He's your father's twin brother." 

"And his murderer," she said as she closed her eyes. 

She backed away from the table. 

"Damaris, I don't have a reason to deny him. If there was evidence, you know I would personally keep him out," Edward said. "Concrete evidence and not your gut or mine." 

"I'm working on it," she said as she opened her eyes and looked around the table. 

"You didn't tell me that," Edward said. "I have people looking into it." 

"What? No. I don't want my uncle finding out," she said, shaking her head. 

She felt her body shake. Fear washed over her in waves. She felt cold. Her hands were clammy. 

Getting Closer

Can't wait for Damaris to confront her uncle. She's moving closer and they will meet at blade point. 

Inspiration

You can't be queen without first walking through the fire. 

Scene

Writing scenes between school work and I thought I'd share this scene with Damaris and Huck with you. 

“What made you decide to protect yourself?” Huck asked. 

“You mean besides my life being threatened?” she asked. 

“Yeah.” 

“She studied Huck for a moment. He was stretched out on the couch with his right ankle resting on his left knee. Who was this man because it wasn’t the Huck she knew. 

“While I was recovering in Lorvena, I was included in Edward’s studies on feudal Japan. His tutor mentioned there were female samurai warriors called onna-musha. I was so interested that I did my own studying,” she said as she leaned back against the cushions. 

“The first was Empress Jingu,” he said. 

“You’ve heard of them?” 

“Of course, they’re warriors,” he said. 

Why was she not surprised? The man was well read. 

“And you study warriors.” 

“Yes. I had to train women for war. I studied all I could in how women of the past fought. How they were trained. Did you know there were female ninjas called kunoichi?” 

She stared at him in shock. Not at the female ninjas or that he knew about them, but his statement about training women. 

“You helped the women your trained by studying the past? I don’t know what to think.” 

He smiled. 

“Damaris, I don’t know how the female body moves in battle. I needed to learn how to train them to be the best. I wasn’t easy on them because the enemy wouldn’t be easy. Just because they’re women doesn’t mean they got it good. They wanted to be in combat, so, I trained them for battle,” he said. 

“Japan?” 

“Well, Japan has had women warriors for longer than any other country. They had it figured out,” he said as he set his foot on the floor and leaned forward. 

“I don’t know what to think. I would’ve thought that a macho man, such as yourself, wouldn’t want women fighting,” she said as she placed her hands on her thighs. 

“I have women in the security detail of Lorvena. I don’t question if a woman wants to fight, to protect. I just demand them to be as dedicated to actually fighting and protecting as their dedication to the want or need. If a woman in the early centuries found the willpower to defy the odds, who am I to demand different,” he asked as he reached over and squeezed her hand. 

“And what do you think about female commanders?” 

“They better be the best person for the job,” he said. “Or it’s their birthright.” 

She smiled. 

“You’re not who I thought you were,” she said. “At least what I wanted you to be.” 

“Damaris, if your people can’t accept you as their queen its their loss. But, I think you worry too much. I saw the interview. The people of Florine want you back. They miss their princess,” he said as he moved his hand to her cheek. “Don’t doubt that you have the love of your people.”