A March of Kings. Morgan Rice

n the Sorcerer’s Ring)

      “Is this a dagger which I see before me,

      The handle toward my hand? Come, let me clutch thee.

      I have thee not, and yet I see thee still.”

– William ShakespeareMacbeth

      Copyright © 2013 by Morgan Rice

      All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the U.S. Copyright Act of 1976, no part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, or stored in a database or retrieval system, without the prior permission of the author.

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return it and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

      This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

      Jacket image Copyright Bilibin Maksym, used under license from Shutterstock.com.

About Morgan Rice

      Morgan Rice is the #1 bestselling author of THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS, a young adult series comprising eleven books (and counting); the #1 bestselling series THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY, a post-apocalyptic thriller comprising two books (and counting); and the #1 bestselling epic fantasy series THE SORCERER’S RING, comprising thirteen books (and counting).

      Morgan’s books are available in audio and print editions, and translations of the books are available in German, French, Italian, Spanish, Portugese, Japanese, Chinese, Swedish, Dutch, Turkish, Hungarian, Czech and Slovak (with more languages forthcoming).

      Morgan loves to hear from you, so please feel free to visit www.morganricebooks.com to join the email list, receive a free book, receive free giveaways, download the free app, get the latest exclusive news, connect on Facebook and Twitter, and stay in touch!

Select Acclaim for Morgan Rice

      “THE SORCERER’S RING has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.”

– Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos

      “Rice does a great job of pulling you into the story from the beginning, utilizing a great descriptive quality that transcends the mere painting of the setting….Nicely written and an extremely fast read.”

– Black Lagoon Reviews (regarding Turned)

      “An ideal story for young readers. Morgan Rice did a good job spinning an interesting twist…Refreshing and unique. The series focuses around one girl…one extraordinary girl!…Easy to read but extremely fast-paced… Rated PG.”

– The Romance Reviews (regarding Turned)

      “Grabbed my attention from the beginning and did not let go….This story is an amazing adventure that is fast paced and action packed from the very beginning. There is not a dull moment to be found.”

– Paranormal Romance Guild (regarding Turned)

      “Jam packed with action, romance, adventure, and suspense. Get your hands on this one and fall in love all over again.”

– vampirebooksite.com (regarding Turned)

      “A great plot, and this especially was the kind of book you will have trouble putting down at night. The ending was a cliffhanger that was so spectacular that you will immediately want to buy the next book, just to see what happens.”

– The Dallas Examiner (regarding Loved)

      “A book to rival TWILIGHT and VAMPIRE DIARIES, and one that will have you wanting to keep reading until the very last page! If you are into adventure, love and vampires this book is the one for you!”

– Vampirebooksite.com (regarding Turned)

      “Morgan Rice proves herself again to be an extremely talented storyteller….This would appeal to a wide range of audiences, including younger fans of the vampire/fantasy genre. It ended with an unexpected cliffhanger that leaves you shocked.”

– The Romance Reviews (regarding Loved)Books by Morgan Rice

      THE SORCERER’S RING

      A QUEST OF HEROES (Book #1)

      A MARCH OF KINGS (Book #2)

      A FATE OF DRAGONS (Book #3)

      A CRY OF HONOR (Book #4)

      A VOW OF GLORY (Book #5)

      A CHARGE OF VALOR (Book #6)

      A RITE OF SWORDS (Book #7)

      A GRANT OF ARMS (Book #8)

      A SKY OF SPELLS (Book #9)

      A SEA OF SHIELDS (Book #10)

      A REIGN OF STEEL (Book #11)

      A LAND OF FIRE (Book #12)

      A RULE OF QUEENS (Book #13)

      THE SURVIVAL TRILOGY

      ARENA ONE: SLAVERSUNNERS (Book #1)

      ARENA TWO (Book #2)

      THE VAMPIRE JOURNALS

      TURNED (Book #1)

      LOVED (Book #2)

      BETRAYED (Book #3)

      DESTINED (Book #4)

      DESIRED (Book #5)

      BETROTHED (Book #6)

      VOWED (Book #7)

      FOUND (Book #8)

      RESURRECTED (Book #9)

      CRAVED (Book #10)

      FATED (Book #11)

      Listen to THE SORCERER’S RING series in audio book format!

      Now available on:

      Amazon

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      iTunes

      Chapter One

      King MacGil stumbled into his chamber, having had way too much to drink, the room spinning, his head pounding from the night’s festivities. A woman whose name he did not know clung to his side, one arm draped around his waist, her shirt half-removed, leading him with a giggle toward his bed. Two attendants closed the door behind them and disappeared discreetly.

      MacGil did not know where his queen was, and on this night he did not care. They rarely shared a bed anymore – she often retired to her own chamber, especially on nights of feasts, when the meals went on too long. She knew of her husband’s indulgences, and did not seem to care. After all, he was king, and MacGil kings had always ruled with entitlement.

      But as MacGil aimed for bed the room spun too fiercely, and he suddenly shrugged this woman off. He was no longer in the mood for this.

      “Leave me!” he commanded, and shoved her away.

      The woman stood there, stunned and hurt, and the door opened and the attendants returned, each grabbing one arm and leading her out. She protested, but her cries were muffled as they closed the door behind her.

      MacGil sat on the edge of his bed and rested his head in his hands, trying to get his headache to stop. It was unusual for him to have a headache this early, before the drink had time to