In Darkness Lost

The country of Argent teeters on the edge of disaster and war looms over them when fifteen-year old Dairdra is thrown into the role of Queen. She has no idea where to turn for aid. Nothing is as it seems, and even her friendship with her best friend is on shaky ground.

Her mother has been thrown into a magically induced coma, and her father was murdered. She doesn't know who to turn to, and her best friend is withdrawing from her for uncertain reasons.

She wants to refuse to fight, but it isn't in her nature. She never wanted to be Queen this early. She had thought she would have years left to prepare. Dairdra isn't sure she's ready, and as she watches her world crumbling around her, she must decide whether to stand up in the position of Queen or to flee the troubles around her and appoint a regent.

Her best friend is dealing with his own issues. His sister is living in the court of their enemy, and when the enemy king realizes that he has such a valuable bargaining chip, he quickly uses it.

Crypt must decide between his sister and Dairdra. The king knows that Crypt is one of the most powerful mages in the realms, and he's well aware that he's dancing with fire. However, he and his assassin count on Crypt's love for his sister to keep him in line.

Unable to decide between the woman he loves and his sister, Crypt struggles with the morality of his two choices. He can tell Dairdra and save her kingdom whilst dooming his own sister, or he can save his sister and perhaps cost Dairdra her life.

Neither decision is attractive, and he decides to try to save both of them. But in doing so, he pays a high price. Can he save his sister and his Queen while surviving the coming storm? The fate of the war is in his hands, but it may not be well placed.

Written in first person, this book follows the young queen of a country recently plunged into war and her best friend as they struggle with their own personal battles and the one they must fight to survive.

Excerpt:
I forced my eyes back to the horrific scene playing out before me.
My mother’s force field was battered again. She was forced to back up until she was on the brink of the lagoon’s high, slippery bank.
It hit me with a start that if she fell, she could break her neck. Behind her was a sheer eight foot drop.
I wanted to call to her but my cry came out garbled and strangled in my throat. I had to stay hidden from the man. I chanted that in my head, reminding myself again that if I was seen, we both died. If she fell into the ice and it broke, that would add new levels of complication, but it might also knock her out, making the man think she was dead. I crossed my fingers, whimpering as I watched her.
She took another half step back. Her foot slipped on the icy bank. She plunged down, her heart-rending scream piercing the still, cold air.
“Dairdra!” Her wail rent the tension-filled morning.
My heart broke just listening to it.
I couldn’t help her. I just couldn't. Not yet... I was helpless to do anything but watch.