Kingdom of Secrets and Shadows

In the human kingdom of Eprotha, King Sabium (Regner) maintains his rule through centuries-old deception, using stolen magic and a false identity to keep power. His court is a nest of intrigue, where the queen, Kaliera, and her ladies navigate a world of manipulation, fear, and hidden agendas. The king's arrogance and cruelty have bred enemies everywhere, and the oppressed hybrids—descendants of fae and humans—suffer most under his regime. The story opens with a daring prison break, orchestrated by the hybrid heir, Prisca (Nelayra), and her allies, which shakes the kingdom's foundations and sets the stage for rebellion.

The Bloodthirsty Prince Unmasked

Prisca's uneasy alliance with Lorian, the infamous Bloodthirsty Prince, is tested when his true fae identity and violent past come to light. Lorian, long believed to be a mercenary, is actually a fae prince with a reputation for ruthless efficiency and a haunted history. His power and loyalty are both a weapon and a curse, and his relationship with Prisca is fraught with mistrust, longing, and the scars of betrayal. Their connection is deepened by shared trauma and mutual need, but threatened by secrets and the looming war.

Bargains, Betrayals, and Blood Vows

Prisca and Lorian's journey is marked by a series of bargains and blood vows—magical oaths that bind their fates. These deals, made with fae, pirates, and rebels, are both lifelines and shackles. Prisca's willingness to risk everything for her people leads her to make dangerous alliances, including with the pirate queen Daharak, whose favor comes at a steep, magical price. Each vow and betrayal tests Prisca's resolve and Lorian's loyalty, as both are forced to confront the cost of survival and the meaning of trust.

Escape Across the Sea

After freeing hundreds of hybrids from Sabium's dungeon, Prisca, Lorian, and their allies flee by sea, pursued by the king's iron guards. The journey is perilous, marked by seasickness, tension, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Prisca's identity as the hybrid heir is revealed, making her both a symbol of hope and a target. The group is fractured, with some seeking safety in the fae lands and others scattering to avoid capture. The sea voyage cements the bond between Prisca and Lorian, even as it exposes the fractures in their trust.

The Hybrid Heir's Burden

Prisca is forced to confront her destiny as the hybrid heir—a role she never wanted. Her aunt Telean and her friends urge her to embrace her power and responsibility, but Prisca is haunted by self-doubt and the trauma of her past. The weight of her people's survival rests on her shoulders, and every decision is fraught with consequence. As she trains in both combat and magic, Prisca must learn to wield her time-manipulating abilities and navigate the treacherous politics of fae, humans, and hybrids alike.

Allies, Enemies, and Exiles

In the fae-hybrid refugee camp, Prisca reunites with her brothers, friends, and fellow rebels. The camp is a microcosm of the continent's tensions—hybrids distrust fae, and old wounds fester. Prisca's leadership is challenged by skeptics, and her every move is scrutinized. She must prove herself through public displays of power and by making hard choices, including whom to trust and whom to send on dangerous missions. The threat of betrayal is ever-present, as spies and old enemies lurk in the shadows.

The Fae King's Test

Fae King Conreth summons Prisca for a blood-vowed interrogation, testing her motives, loyalty, and worthiness. Their conversation is a battle of wits, revealing the fae's own history of betrayal, the trauma that shaped Lorian, and the political stakes of the coming war. Conreth's approval is conditional—he demands proof of Prisca's ability to unite her people and secure alliances. The king's manipulations drive a wedge between Prisca and Lorian, forcing them to confront the limits of their trust and the reality of their doomed romance.

The Pirate Queen's Favor

The pirate queen Daharak offers Prisca and her allies safe passage and protection in exchange for a blood vow—a magical favor to be repaid in the future. Daharak's fleet is a force unto itself, and her code of honor is both a shield and a threat. This alliance allows Prisca to evade the Gromalian king's forces and reach the fae lands, but it also entangles her in a web of obligations that will have far-reaching consequences.

The Hourglass and the Amulets

The gods once gifted powerful artifacts to the fae, humans, and hybrids: amulets, a mirror, and an hourglass. These objects are the linchpins of the continent's fate. The fae amulets allow the sharing and amplification of magic; the human mirror grants Regner the ability to spy and manipulate; the hybrid hourglass enhances time magic and is the key to their survival. The search for these artifacts drives much of the plot, as Regner's control over them threatens to tip the balance of power and doom the hybrids.

Caves of Iron and Grief

The quest for the hourglass leads Prisca, Lorian, and their companions into a labyrinth of caves laced with fae iron—a substance that weakens fae and hybrid magic. The journey is harrowing, filled with traps, betrayals, and relentless attacks by Regner's iron guards. The group suffers devastating losses, including the death of Thol, a childhood friend, and the tragic awakening of Cavis as a "sleeping spider"—a magically controlled assassin. The hourglass is finally within reach, but the cost is heartbreak and sacrifice.

The Drakoryx's Judgment

To be accepted as queen, Prisca must face the Drakoryx, a magical beast that judges the worthiness of rulers. By showing humility and bravery, she passes the test and earns the creature's protection. This trial is both literal and symbolic, forcing Prisca to confront her fears, her past, and her right to lead. The Drakoryx's acceptance marks a turning point in her journey from reluctant heir to determined queen.

The Crown and the Curse

Prisca's journey through the hybrid kingdom's ruins and her vision of its fall reveal the depth of her people's suffering and the legacy of her ancestors. The curse laid by her grandmother on the human invaders still shapes the land. Prisca vows to become the queen her people need, even as the elders test her resolve and withhold their support until she proves herself. The crown is not just a symbol of power, but a promise of protection and vengeance.

The Village Burns

Regner retaliates against Prisca's defiance by burning her childhood village and slaughtering its inhabitants. The trauma of this loss nearly breaks her, but with the support of her friends and Lorian, she finds the strength to continue. The massacre is a stark reminder of the stakes of their rebellion and the ruthlessness of their enemy.

The Gromalian Gambit

Prisca and Lorian seek an alliance with the Gromalian king, Eryndan, but are met with suspicion, manipulation, and veiled threats. Through cunning, rumor, and the threat of scandal, Prisca destabilizes the alliance between Gromalia and Eprotha, forcing Eryndan to reconsider his loyalties. The political chess game is fraught with danger, and every move has consequences for the coming war.

The Elders' Trial

The hybrid elders subject Prisca to a magical trial, forcing her to relive the kingdom's destruction and confront her own doubts. She is shown the suffering of her people and the failures of past rulers. The elders withhold their support, demanding that Prisca prove herself worthy of the crown. The trial is both a crucible and a catalyst, forging Prisca's resolve and clarifying her purpose.

Love, Loss, and Loyalty

The relationship between Prisca and Lorian is a central thread—passionate, fraught, and ultimately tragic. Both are shaped by trauma and duty, and their love is tested by betrayal, political necessity, and the knowledge that their paths may diverge. Their bond is a source of strength and vulnerability, and their choices echo through the fate of their peoples.

The Web Awakens

The ancient magic of the "king's web" awakens in Cavis, turning him into a weapon against his friends. The web, a legacy of Regner's dark arts, is a symbol of the insidious ways power corrupts and destroys. Cavis's struggle and ultimate sacrifice are a devastating blow to the group, underscoring the personal cost of the war and the reach of Regner's evil.

Sacrifice and Survival

The novel ends with Prisca and her allies battered but unbroken. They have claimed the hourglass, but at great cost. The war is far from over, and the path ahead is uncertain. Prisca embraces her role as queen, vowing to protect her people and make Regner pay for his crimes. The story closes on a note of determination and defiance, with the promise of further trials and sacrifices to come.

Characters

Prisca (Nelayra)

Prisca is the hybrid heir, a young woman raised in obscurity and thrust into leadership by fate and necessity. Haunted by trauma, self-doubt, and the weight of her people's suffering, she is both vulnerable and unyielding. Her time-manipulating magic is a symbol of her unique power and the burden of her destiny. Prisca's journey is one of reluctant acceptance—she does not seek the crown, but she cannot turn away from those who need her. Her relationships—with Lorian, her brothers, her aunt, and her friends—are marked by loyalty, sacrifice, and the constant threat of loss. Over the course of the story, she grows from a frightened survivor to a determined queen, willing to make hard choices and embrace her own strength.

Lorian

Lorian, the Bloodthirsty Prince, is a fae royal with a reputation for violence and a soul scarred by betrayal. Raised in a court of secrets, sent away to be forged into a weapon, and blamed for atrocities he did not commit, Lorian is both feared and misunderstood. His love for Prisca is transformative, awakening a tenderness and vulnerability he thought long dead. Yet his loyalty to his brother, King Conreth, and his people is absolute, creating a tragic tension between personal desire and duty. Lorian's journey is one of self-forgiveness, learning to trust, and ultimately, sacrifice.

Demos

Prisca's brother Demos is a survivor of Regner's dungeons and a natural leader among the hybrids. His power makes him nearly unkillable in battle, but his true strength lies in his ability to make hard decisions and see the world's harsh realities. Demos is fiercely protective of his family and people, often pushing Prisca to embrace her role as queen. His pragmatism is both a shield and a source of conflict, especially when it comes to matters of the heart.

Asinia

Asinia is Prisca's closest friend, a fellow hybrid who shares her pain and her dreams. Quick-witted, loyal, and unafraid to challenge authority, Asinia is both a confidante and a grounding force for Prisca. Her own trauma and losses mirror Prisca's, and their bond is a testament to chosen family and the power of shared struggle.

Telean

Telean is Prisca's aunt and a former court seamstress, whose knowledge of history, politics, and magic is invaluable. She is both nurturing and demanding, pushing Prisca to accept her destiny while shielding her from the worst of the world. Telean's own survival is a testament to resilience, and her guidance is crucial in shaping Prisca's path.

Cavis

Cavis is one of Lorian's closest friends, a fae warrior known for his strength and kindness. His transformation into a "sleeping spider"—a magically controlled assassin—by Regner is one of the story's most heartbreaking moments. Cavis's struggle against the magic controlling him and his ultimate sacrifice underscore the personal cost of war and the insidiousness of Regner's evil.

Thol

Thol is a tracker from Prisca's village, a good man broken by loss and grief. His journey from anger and blame to reluctant ally is cut short by his death in the caves, a victim of both Regner's cruelty and the chaos of battle. Thol's fate is a reminder of the countless innocents caught in the crossfire.

King Conreth

The fae king, Conreth, is a master of political games and a survivor of his own family's betrayals. His relationship with Lorian is complex—marked by love, manipulation, and the burden of leadership. Conreth's decisions are driven by the need to protect his people, even at the cost of personal relationships and morality.

Daharak

Daharak is a legendary pirate whose fleet and code of honor make her both a valuable ally and a dangerous foe. Her blood vow with Prisca is a pivotal moment, binding their fates and adding another layer of complexity to the web of alliances.

Regner (Sabium)

The true villain of the story, Regner is a master manipulator who has ruled for centuries by stealing magic, faking his own death, and sowing division. His cruelty is matched only by his cunning, and his reach extends into every corner of the continent. Regner's actions drive the plot and force every character to confront the cost of resistance.

Plot Devices

Blood Vows and Magical Bargains

Blood vows are magical contracts that enforce honesty and loyalty, but also create dangerous obligations. They are used to forge alliances, extract truths, and ensure cooperation, but they also limit freedom and create new vulnerabilities. The bargains struck—whether with fae, pirates, or rebels—are central to the plot, driving both action and character development.

Artifacts of Power

The fae amulets, the hybrid hourglass, and the human mirror are more than magical items—they are symbols of the gods' favor and the keys to victory or defeat. The search for these artifacts is a recurring quest, with each one representing a different aspect of power: unity, time, and knowledge. Their presence foreshadows major turning points and the shifting balance of power.

The Sleeping Spider

Regner's use of ancient magic to create "sleeping spiders"—agents who can be awakened and controlled—is a chilling plot device that turns friends into enemies. The awakening of Cavis is a moment of devastating betrayal, illustrating the theme of corrupted innocence and the far-reaching consequences of dark magic.

Time Magic

Prisca's ability to manipulate time is both her greatest asset and a source of danger. The use of time magic is physically and emotionally taxing, and its limitations create tension and vulnerability. The hourglass, which amplifies this power, becomes a symbol of hope and a target for every faction.

Dual Narratives and Interludes

The story alternates between Prisca's and Lorian's perspectives, with interludes from other key characters. This structure allows for a nuanced exploration of trauma, loyalty, and the psychological cost of war. The interludes—such as the boy's memories of loss and the queen's reflections—provide context, foreshadowing, and emotional depth.

Political Intrigue and Shifting Alliances

The narrative is driven by a constant dance of alliances, betrayals, and shifting loyalties. Every character must navigate a landscape where trust is scarce and every decision has far-reaching consequences. The use of rumors, blackmail, and strategic marriages adds layers of complexity and foreshadows future conflicts.

Analysis

A Kingdom This Cursed and Empty is a sweeping fantasy of trauma, resilience, and the cost of leadership. At its heart, it is a story about the forging of a queen—not by birthright, but by fire, loss, and the relentless demands of survival. Stacia Stark explores the psychological toll of war, the corrosive effects of power, and the redemptive potential of love and loyalty. The novel interrogates the nature of destiny and choice, asking whether we are shaped by fate or by the decisions we make in the face of adversity. Through Prisca's journey from reluctant heir to determined queen, and Lorian's struggle to reconcile love and duty, the book examines the sacrifices required for true change. The use of magical artifacts, blood vows, and ancient curses grounds the story in a rich mythos, while the personal stakes—grief, betrayal, and the longing for connection—make it deeply human. Ultimately, the novel is a meditation on hope in the face of despair, the necessity of forging new dreams from broken ones, and the courage it takes to claim a future worth fighting for.

Last updated: May 23, 2025