Blade and Thistle

Copyright © 2023 Jacinda Hale ISBN: 978-1-960392-00-8 This is a work of fiction. Any names, characters, places, events, or incidents are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by an information storage and retrieval system without permission in writing from the publisher, with the exception of content created for review purposes that may quote brief passages. Cover by Mayhem Cover Creations For more information visit www.jacindahalebooks.com CONTENTS A Few Notes on Content The Itheni Bound World Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Chapter 16 Chapter 17 Chapter 18 Chapter 19 Chapter 20 Chapter 21 Chapter 22 Chapter 23 Chapter 24 Chapter 25 Chapter 26 Chapter 27 Chapter 28 Chapter 29 Chapter 30 Chapter 31 Chapter 32 Chapter 33 Chapter 34 Chapter 35 Chapter 36 Chapter 37 Chapter 38 Chapter 39 Chapter 40 Chapter 41 Chapter 42 Chapter 43 Chapter 44 Chapter 45 Chapter 46 Chapter 47 Chapter 48 Chapter 49 Chapter 50 Chapter 51 Chapter 52 Author Note Acknowledgments About the Author A FEW NOTES ON CONTENT Dear reader, first thing you should know is that this book marks the beginning of a planned trilogy. It will end on a slight cliffhanger, so be prepared. Additionally, this is a romance novel. As such, it is essentially a work of fantasy meant to appeal to the kind of reader that enjoys escaping reality for a few hundred pages at a time. Nothing about the romantic and/or sexual relationships in this work is intended to be representative in any way or used for educational purposes. Lastly, this book is intended for adults (18+) and contains subject matter that might be difficult for some readers. Please click here for a full list of content warnings. And before you get started, if you’d like to connect with fellow readers, follow me on social media, or get bonus content, you can find all the links here. THE ITHENI BOUND WORLD Sadoran Empire home of the conquerors from across the sea; the Empire has conquered much of its native continent, which is located to the southeast of Eretamia Dora – capital city of the Empire; city-state that is the ancestral home of the Empire Sadoran – translates as “the might / mighty of Dora” Sa – might, strength Sa Victare – a Sadoran phrase often used in greeting or farewell; translates as “Might above all” or “Might conquers” Sabinna – translates as “mighty one” (female); the male equivalent is Sabinnus Eretai people who live south of the Selvedge; the name translates as “human”; the land is called by the same name, making the land synonymous with the people. The Eretai maintain no central leadership in the form of a monarch, etc., but instead are organized in separate, often warring clans each ruled by a clan chieftain, e.g. Crow Clan, Stag Clan, Adder Clan. Eretamia – the Sadoran name for the conquered territory of the Eretai people Erowyh – the Eretai word for the Itheni; translates as “more than human” or “not human” Itheni the half-fae; their origin is traced back to unions between humans To my grandparents who have tried everything humanly possible to learn my pen name Grandpa, I know you’ve read every book I’ve ever written except this one. Let’s keep it that way. And yes, Grandma, I know exactly how you got four kids; but if you read this book, we may have to talk about it, and I definitely don’t want to do that… ever. But seriously, your unconditional love and endless support mean everything to me. I love you! CHAPTER ONE Vasenia I don’t recommend travel by war caravan. But in the wilds of Eretamia one rarely has a choice. The road—if it can be called that—is even worse today compared to yesterday, the sun hardening the muddy ruts into unyielding crags. We hit a jagged trench, and I jolt up from the carriage seat, landing hard enough to cause bruising. Surely my kidney has lodged in my throat. “Honestly,” I say, “what’s the point of conquest if our civilizing effect doesn’t result in a decent road?” “Shall I fetch a cushion, Domina?” my handmaid Benise asks from the opposite side of the carriage. I make a show of looking from her bare, wooden bench to