The Queen’s Resistance

The Queen’s Resistance
Rebecca Ross

In this sequel to The Queen’s Rising, Brienna has chosen passion over blood, but can she put her country before her heart? Perfect for fans of SIX OF CROWS and Sarah J. Maas. Finally, Brienna is a mistress of knowledge and is settling into her role as the daughter of Davin MacQuinn, a disgraced lord who returned to Maevana to reclaim his house. Though she’s just survived a revolution, one that will finally return a queen to the throne, she faces another difficult challenge. She must prove herself trustworthy to the MacQuinns. But as Queen Isolde Kavanagh’s closest confidant, she’ll have to balance serving her father’s house as well as her country. And then there’s Cartier Evariste, a wholly separate factor in her new life. Now known as Aodhan Morgane, Cartier is adjusting to the stark contrast between his pre-rebellion life in Valenia as a master of knowledge and his current one as the lord of a fallen house. During his castle’s restoration, he discovers a ten-year-old boy named Tomas, whose past and parentage are a complete mystery. So when Cartier’s former pupil Brienna is as fond of Tomas as he is, he lets his mind wander – what if he doesn’t have to raise him or his house alone? As the Lannon trial rapidly approaches, Brienna and Cartier must put their feelings aside to concentrate on forging alliances, executing justice, and ensuring that no one interferes with the queen’s coronation. But resistance is rumbling among the old regime’s supporters, who are desperate to find a weakness in the rebels’ forces. And nothing makes a person more vulnerable than deep-seated love.

First published in the United States of America by HarperTeen in 2019

Published simultaneously in Great Britain by HarperCollins Children’s Books in 2019

Published in this ebook edition in 2019

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Text copyright © 2019 Rebecca Ross LLC

Map illustration by Virginia Allyn

Cover design © HarperCollinsPublishers Ltd 2019

Rebecca Ross asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

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Source ISBN: 9780008246013

Ebook Edition © March 2019 ISBN: 9780008246020

Version: 2019-01-30

To my grandparents—

Mark and Carol Deaton & John and Barbara Wilson,

who continue to inspire me every day.

Contents

Cover (#ua5ee8974-3d07-5f04-ad7b-8ac0b66542d2)

Title Page (#u23088eb9-19a7-5606-9b13-219dd883c523)

Copyright (#u524fb35c-9214-5633-934b-a00b1075792c)

Dedication (#ua287530e-62ff-5604-a530-55efd28e4aa3)

Map of the Realms

Map of Maevana’s Territories

Cast of Characters

Allenach Family Tree

MacQuinn Family Tree

Morgane Family Tree

Kavanagh Family Tree

PART ONE—The Return

1. The Enemy’s Daughter—Brienna

2. A Trail of Blood—Cartier

3. To Take Up Grievances—Brienna

4. The Swift Are Born for the Longest Night—Cartier

5. Confessions by Candlelight—Brienna

6. The Lass with the Blue Cloak—Cartier

7. Bring Me the Golden Ribbon—Brienna

8. Where Are You, Aodhan?—Cartier

9. The Sharp Edge of Truth—Brienna

10. Orphan No More—Cartier

PART TWO—The Trial

11. Half-Moons—Brienna

12. Bitter Portions—Cartier

13. Late-Night Quandaries—Brienna