Royal Decoy Fate of Eyrinthia • Book 1 Heather Frost Copyright © 2020 Heather Frost Map Design by Kevin Frost Cover and Interior Design by K.M. Frost This is a work of fiction. The characters, events, and locations are products of the author’s imagination and should not be construed as real. Any similarities to persons living or dead is purely coincidental. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without the prior written consent of the author. Summary: Kitchen maid Clare Ellington is blackmailed into becoming the princess’s decoy, to ensure a tenuous peace with an enemy kingdom. All rights reserved. ASIN: B085299HQN Kimberly, this one is for you. You are my sister and my best friend. This book—like many other things in my life—would not have happened without you. Thank you! I love you. Forever and ever. PS: You will always be Grayson’s first fan. Praise for HEATHER FROST "This is a story that completely captured my attention from the very beginning and didn't let go the whole way through ... I've been craving a book like this." -Aimee, Getting Your Read On (Royal Decoy) "Blackmail. Betrayal. Romance. Frost expertly combines them all with political intrigue and characters you can't help but fall in love with. The next book can't come fast enough!" - Rebecca McKinnon, Author (Royal Decoy) "This book has just about everything! ... The intrigue is fantastic. This is a series that is worth reading. I will anxiously await the next installment to see what happens next." - Bookworm Lisa (Royal Decoy) "You know what I love? Fantasy. You know what really thrills me? When a story like this one works its magic on me in a way I still feel its power after finishing it. ... Full of action, conspiracies, exciting twists and turns, charismatic characters, and heart-warming moments—I demand my own Grayson!—this first installment is a fantastic opening." - Silvia, Darkest Sins (Royal Decoy) "This book was superb. ...Well thought out story that was action packed ... It was amazing ... a fantastic read that made me read it in one sitting. Heather Frost will be an author that I keep on my radar from now on. Can’t wait for book two!" - Stacy, A Court of Coffee and Books (Royal Decoy) "If you are looking for a good read with royalty, mystery, intrigue, spies, war, and romance, this book has it all. Heather Frost certainly delivers a great read with Royal Decoy." - Sheila, Why Not? Because I Said So (Royal Decoy) “Frost has written a magnificent young adult fantasy romance that readers will absolutely love. The turn of every page is jam packed with fast paced, thrilling and adventurous twists and turns that will keep readers guessing and wanting more.” - Sydney, Singing Librarian Books (Royal Decoy) “An amazing first book in a series! The premise of this novel was so interesting! It’s something that I’m fairly certain I haven’t read before in other books.” - Caitlin, Chapters and Pages (Royal Decoy) "Super unique ... The story flowed and [...] was well-paced and didn't end off in a cliffhanger. I totally recommend this book to everyone especially those who want a fresh royalty read." - Thindbooks (Royal Decoy) "Seers is a really good paranormal read mixed with a great romance, and a some really fun characters." - Mundie Moms Blog (Seers) "Heather does an amazing job of keeping the story rolling, fast paced and full of intrigue and suspense." - Cindy C. Bennett, Author (Demons) "You won't be able to stop until the last page is turned. … 5 out of 5 stars." - Min Reads and Reviews (Guardians) Also by Heather Frost: The Seers Trilogy: Seers Demons Guardians Asides: A Short Story Collection Pronunciation Guide Demoi de-MOY Desfan DES-fawn Devendra duh-VEN-druh Devendran duh-VEN-drun Duvan DOO-vahn Eyrinthia air-INTH-ee-uh Iden EYE-den Julne JOOLN Mortise mor-TEES (rhymes with geese) Mortisian mor-TEE-shun Ryden RYE-den Rydenic rye-DEN-ik Saernon SAIR-non Ser SAIR Serai sair-AY Serjah SAIR-zjaw Serjan SAIR-zjan Zennor ZEN-or Zennorian zen-OR-ee-un *Note: zj is a French “J”, as in Jaques Contents Title Page Copyright Dedication Pronunciation Guide Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ABOUT THE AUTHOR Want more books by Heather Frost? Seers are not just spectators, they are also prey Prologue Chapter 1 Clare Clare called a farewell as she left the castle kitchen, a fire still dying within the scorched hearth. Cook Towdy gave his usual grunt, hunched over the thick wooden counter, his apron dusted with flour. He didn’t look up from tomorrow’s menu as he made final adjustments. Clare was the last maid to leave; even after working under Towdy for ten years, she still felt like that eight-year-old girl with too much to prove. The heat of the castle ovens clung to Clare’s skin as she entered the deserted corridor and stretched her tired arms. Errant strands of brown hair brushed her cheeks, her long braid swinging against her back. Her aching feet didn’t relish the long walk to Lower Iden, but she was anxious to see her brothers. Silence reigned in the servant’s passage this time of night, the quiet scuff of her worn boots the only sound aside from the guttering torches. Flames leapt in the evenly spaced iron sconces, forcing the shadows to dance back, forever a servant to the light. Clare knew how the shadows felt. Somewhere down the hall a door slammed open, wood thudding against stone. Clare’s head jerked up, though she couldn’t see anything around the hallway’s bend. Rapid footsteps clipped against the floor and a male voice drifted around the corner, his tone wry. "Perhaps
