The Plated Prisoner

This is the story of King Midas. Or that's what we're always told. The Golden King with his palace of riches and me, the girl he turned to gold. Upon the snowy mountains in the Sixth Kingdom of Orea, I'm locked away in Highbell Castle. It's for my safety, I'm told. Away from the dangers of the world below. No one can get in. Apart from him. King Midas rescued me from the streets. He gave me food, shelter and his heart. I promised to love him forever. But when war comes to the kingdom, a deal is struck—and I am at the heart of the bargain. Everything I know starts to change.

After 10 years, I have left the grips of one king only to fall into the hands of another. I have fought the terrifying Red Raid Pirates, endured the murder of those I care about and survived the frozen planes of Orea, only to find myself a prisoner of the army of Fourth Kingdom. Leading the army is Commander Rip, a notorious warrior whose name is whispered in taverns and street corners all over the six kingdoms. But as I get to know him, I realise that the tales of his brutality aren't true. He is something else. He is fae.

I was told that being confined was to keep the bad out.... Until I realised it was about keeping me in. Midas made me forbidden and weak. Little did he know that I would find my wings and voice—which sings now. After living amongst the terrifying army of Fourth Kingdom, I find myself, once again, in strange lands and a kingdom surrounded by liars. But something has ignited within me. Something dark. Something angry. Then comes King Ravinger. And the last thing I wanted was my heart to be torn.

My life has been shaped and controlled by the greed of others, but that ends now. I have burned down the court of King Midas and from those flames, I will rise and wield my own power. The problem is, when you turn against a King - everyone turns against you.

It all ends now. But Every end is also a beginning. I was supposed to die. If it weren’t for Slade, I would have. But he tore a hole the world I know and I went through it. To Annwyn. To home. Annwyn is the realm of the fae, a magical place full of beauty and danger. Here, I am known as Lyäri Ulvêre – the golden one gone. And there are people in this world who want to keep me that way. But I am not that girl in the gilded cage anymore, and I won’t be used again.