Allegiance

By Cayla Kluver

Bound to a man she cannot love, Queen Alera of Hytanica must forget Narian, the young man who holds her heart. For Narian is destined to conquer Hytanica at the behest of his master, the powerful magic–user known as the Overlord. Alera doesn't truly believe Narian will fight against Hytanica until Cokyrian troops attack with Narian commanding the charge.

Faced with the greatest betrayal a heart can know, Alera must set aside personal feelings and lead her kingdom through its darkest time. And when all hope, will and courage seem lost, she must find strength and remember that even the blackest night must have a dawn.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins Publishers Australia
• Release date: May 1, 2012
• ISBN: 9781460804636

Cayla Kluver

Cayla Kluver was born on October 2, 1992, in Wisconsin. She has cats, dogs and horses, and watches more crime shows than is probably healthy. Her office is filled with twinkly lights, candles, and fun colors. She loves Robert Louis Stevenson and the Beatles. Legacy is her first novel. Visit Cayla at www.caylakluver.com, friend her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @CaylaKL.

Book preview

CHAPTER 1

            SUCCESSOR

PALACE GUARDS LINED BOTH SIDES OF THE Throne Room, standing at attention in their royal-blue tunics with gold center panels, each holding in his left hand a flagstaff from which hung silks in the same colors. At the front of the hall on the marble dais, the King’s Elite Guard formed a double arc on each side of the thrones, with Cannan, clad in the black jerkin he wore as Captain of the Guard, standing closest to the right side of the King’s throne. The benches that had been placed in rows with a wide aisle between were filled with the opulently attired members of Hytanica’s nobility. Late-afternoon sunlight filtered through the high windows of the northern wall, casting a glow over the front of the hall as if extending an invitation. Except for the occasional sound of someone shifting position or a bench scraping the stone floor, the room was silent, as everyone waited for the coronation ceremony to begin.

Steldor and I, along with the other members of the royal family, were likewise silent. Although the antechamber provided ample seating, excitement kept us on our feet. At the opening of one of the doors leading into the Throne Room, we shifted simultaneously to watch Lanek, the King’s herald and personal secretary, step into our midst.

The priest is ready to begin, he informed us.

My dark eyes briefly met Steldor’s, but I saw none of the nervousness I was feeling reflected on his face. His composure surprised me until I realized that the stress of this ceremony was probably nothing compared to the pressures he would have coped with as a field commander leading troops in battle.

At the King’s nod, Palace Guards swung the heavy double doors open, enabling my mother and father to stand side by side on the threshold. They would be preceded by heralds, one of whom bore the kingdom’s standard, another a flag embroidered with the royal family’s coat of arms.

My father was dressed in gold and shouldered the Sovereign’s Robe of royal-blue velvet with an ermine collar. Upon his salt-and-pepper hair rested the Crown of the King, a diamond-embedded circlet of gold with four bejeweled crosses spaced evenly around its circumference. He carried the royal scepter in his left hand, on his right hand he wore the King’s signet ring, and the royal sword rested in the scabbard on his left hip.

Atop my mother’s honey-blond hair sat the Crown of the Queen, a golden band to match the King’s, but with a single bejeweled cross at the front. From the shoulders of her gold brocade gown swept a royal-blue velvet cape.

The assembled nobility rose to their feet as the trumpets sounded and Lanek stepped forward to announce the King and Queen. Although his short, stocky build made him difficult to see in a crowd, his booming voice always ensured he was heard.

All hail King Adrik and his Queen, the Lady Elissia!

My father’s soft brown eyes met my mother’s serious blue ones, and I saw him squeeze her hand affectionately before extending his arm to her for the processional. He then made his last entrance into the Throne Room as Hytanica’s ruler, his wife at his side. The aged priest who stood in front of the dais in anticipation of administering the oath to the King’s successor moved to the right to make way for their coming, and my father and mother mounted the steps to stand before their thrones, turning to face their subjects.

My sister, Princess Miranna, her blue eyes sparkling, entered next, clothed in a gown to match our mother’s with a tiara of gold and pearls encircling her strawberry blond hair. She curtsied to the sovereign before likewise climbing the steps to stand in front of the farthest of three regal armchairs that had been placed to the left of the Queen.

I waited for my sister to take her position and then began the slow walk down the aisle. Despite my efforts to quiet them, my hands were shaking, for my heart was laden with dread at the thought of the power Steldor would soon wield as King. I was clothed in the dress I had worn for my wedding but a week ago on the tenth of May, although a crimson robe was now attached at the shoulders to sweep the floor in my wake. Like Miranna, I wore a tiara of gold and pearls upon my head, my dark brown hair drawn up off my shoulders.

As I approached the thrones, a smile flitted across my countenance at a sudden mental image of what London would have looked like had he been standing among the Elite Guards. My former bodyguard had not yet returned from his search for Narian in the mountains, but I knew if he had been present, he would not have worn the requisite uniform. The thought of him standing in his leather jerkin among this ostentatious company struck me as comical. Reaching the dais, I curtsied to my parents before stepping up to stand in front of the armchair immediately to the Queen’s left.

The anticipation in the room heightened as I gazed at Steldor where he waited at the head of the aisle, magnificent in a black dress coat over a gold doublet that emphasized his muscular build and set off his dark hair and eyes. The scabbard that hung at his left hip was empty, but the dagger I had given him three months ago for his twenty-first birthday was sheathed on his right. A crimson cape, secured to the shoulders by gold clasps, pooled on the floor at his heels.

At the sounding of the trumpets, Steldor began the long march down the aisle, his boots beating a slow and steady cadence. He focused straight ahead, seemingly oblivious to the gathered throng, his expression as fixed as those of the past kings in the portraits lining the walls to his left and right. Regardless of his demeanor, I knew from the tilt of his head that he was relishing this moment.

As Steldor drew closer to the thrones, the priest moved into the aisle, not speaking until my husband had halted ten paces from him.

Lords and ladies of Hytanica, he said, raising the volume of his nasal, tremulous voice so that all might hear. I present unto you Lord Steldor, son of the Baron Cannan and husband of the heir to the throne, Princess Alera, who comes before you to be crowned rightful King over all the lands and peoples of Hytanica. Are all you assembled here this day willing to recognize him as such?

A resounding Aye echoed throughout the Throne Room.

And are you, Lord Steldor, willing to take the King’s Oath?

I am willing.

The priest surveyed the nobility and, when he was satisfied that everyone was listening, nodded to Steldor, who dropped to one knee.

Will you solemnly promise to govern the peoples of the Kingdom of Hytanica with justice, mercy and wisdom? the priest inquired.

I solemnly promise so to do.

Will you promise to enforce and maintain the laws of God?

I do so promise.

Will you restore the things that are gone to decay, punish and reform what is amiss, and confirm what is in good order?

All this I promise so to do.

Then arise and approach the throne.

Steldor stood as the priest yielded the aisle. After tendering one last bow to his King and Queen, he mounted the steps of the dais, and Cannan advanced to remove the crimson robe that marked his son as the successor to the throne. My mother thereupon took the Sovereign’s Robe from the King’s shoulders. She waited as Steldor turned to face the nobility and then draped it over his powerful frame. As my parents moved to stand next to the Captain of the Guard, Cannan tendered the crimson robe to my mother so that she could place it upon my father’s back.

Steldor now cast his eyes over the nobility, poised to make his final pledge.

The things that I have here promised, I will perform and keep, so help me God, he declared, his voice impassioned.

He held out a hand to me, and I moved to his side. After detaching the crimson robe from my gown, he passed it to my mother in exchange for the Queen’s royal-blue cape. He then laid the raiment upon my shoulders, and for the first time we took our places upon the thrones.

The priest now came before us with a small vial of oil for the Anointing.

So be thou anointed, blessed and consecrated King over the peoples of Hytanica, he intoned, dipping his fingers into the vial and making the mark of the cross on Steldor’s hands and forehead. May you govern and preserve us in wealth and peace, and may you rule wisely, justly and mercifully.

Turning to me, he again dipped his fingers in the oil.

So be thou anointed Queen of Hytanica, to support and assist your King in the performance of his charge, he said, likewise placing the mark of the cross upon me.

After administering a blessing, the priest moved to the far right of the thrones to sit in the chair that had been provided for him.

My father would now relinquish his authority as King and invest it in his successor. He stepped forward, and Steldor rose to accept the accoutrements of the monarchy.

Receive the Rod of Wisdom, my father said, pressing the royal scepter into Steldor’s left hand. Honor the faithful, provide for the weak, cherish the just and lead your people in the way wherein they should go.

The King then drew the royal sword. Do not bear this sword in vain, but use it for the terror and punishment of evildoers, and for the protection and encouragement of those who do well.

Steldor accepted the sword, briefly holding it aloft before placing it in his scabbard.

Removing the royal ring, the King slid it onto the third finger of Steldor’s right hand.

Receive the Ring of Kingly Dignity so that all may recognize your sovereignty, and so that you may remember the oaths you have here taken this day.

The time for the final act had arrived, and I watched somewhat sadly as my father removed the crown from his own head and held it high for all to see. He then fervently made his last pronouncement.

Receive this crown as a sign of royal majesty and as the rightful King of Hytanica.

He placed the diadem upon Steldor, and enthusiastic shouts erupted from the gathered throng.

Hail to the King! Hail to King Steldor!

My father, no longer Hytanica’s ruler, waited for the noise to abate and then humbly knelt before his King to pledge his allegiance.

I will be faithful and true unto you, my Sovereign Lord, King of Hytanica, and unto your heirs.

After kissing the royal ring, my father stood and took up position in front of the chair that had originally been provided for me. I came to my feet and removed my tiara, passing it to my mother, who had come before Steldor so that he could remove the Queen’s crown. She gave him a curtsey, then crossed the dais to stand between her husband and her younger daughter.

Be thou rightfully crowned Queen of Hytanica, Steldor proclaimed, placing the golden band upon my head, and another cheer ricocheted off the stone walls and wood-beamed ceiling.

The weight of responsibility descended upon me along with the crown, and I suddenly felt eighteen was far too young an age at which to assume such a role. Seized with panic, I glanced at my mother, and she offered the only assistance she could—a reassuring smile. As Steldor and I once more occupied the thrones, the rest of the royal family and Hytanica’s nobility took their seats. Cannan then strode forward to kneel before his son and pledge his service.

I, Baron Cannan, Captain of the Guard and head of Hytanica’s military, do become your man of life and limb, and faith and truth will I bear unto you, to live and die in defense of you, against all manner of threat.

After kissing the royal ring, the captain returned to his position on the King’s right. I followed him with my eyes, wondering what he was feeling at this moment, but his countenance was as impassive as always.

Homage then continued to be paid, with each male member of the nobility coming forward to kneel and make a pledge of faith and truth unto his King before returning to his seat. When the last person had approached, Steldor and I came to our feet, and the others in the room rose as one. With the royal scepter in his right hand and my hand upon his left, Steldor nodded to Lanek, who announced Hytanica’s new ruler.

All hail His Royal Majesty King Steldor and his Queen, the Lady Alera.

The trumpets sounded, and the heralds bearing the flags of the royal family and the kingdom led us down the aisle to exit the Hall of Kings, followed by Cannan and the Elite Guards, my parents and Miranna. My eyes briefly met Steldor’s as we entered the antechamber, and the feverish gleam within his gave me pause. I knew he had probably envisioned this coronation from the moment we had first formally met almost ten years ago, and I could not fathom the satisfaction he had to be feeling at having won his coveted prize. We did not dally, but followed the heralds, accompanied by the guards, through the doors into the Grand Entry Hall, then up the Grand Staircase, leaving my parents and sister behind. From there, we entered the Royal Ballroom, crossing its expanse to step onto the balcony, where the trumpets were again sounded to draw to us the attention of the thousands of people gathered outside the courtyard walls.

All hail King Steldor and his Queen, the Lady Alera, Lanek again shouted, and the cry was echoed by the Palace Guards at the gates. Soon thunderous applause and repetitive shouts of Hail to the King reached our ears, and Steldor began to wave to the citizenry, quite in his element.

I could not have said how long we stood on the balcony, but given the length of the coronation ceremony, my high level of anxiety and the time that had passed since my last meal, I was exhausted. Steldor, on the other hand, was exhilarated and seemed ready to bask in the acclamation of the people for the rest of time. As the dizzying reality that I was now married to the King of Hytanica settled upon me, I swayed against him, clutching at his shoulder. He looked at me, startled, and then scooped me into his arms, cradling me so that my head fell against his chest.

It would appear you have had enough excitement, he remarked, then carried me back through the ballroom and on to our quarters, waving away his father and the guards. Bearing me into my room, he lowered me onto the bed and removed my crown and cape, then undid the laces of my gown, sliding it down my arms and assisting me to take it off. I slumped sideways onto the pillows in my undergarments, feeling too tired to resist him, and he lifted my legs onto the bed, removing my shoes and folding a blanket over me. To my surprise, he kissed me on the forehead.

Relax and sleep. I will bring food later to help you regain your strength. He touched my cheek, then turned and departed, and my eyelids fell like heavy drapes.

Memories of Narian, as always, haunted my dreams. We were standing in the clearing in the woods on his father’s estate, the sun hot upon my back, birds chirping in the trees.

Here, see? I have them, I said, holding up a pair of breeches for Narian’s inspection. Now you have no basis upon which to object to teaching me self-defense.

I can object as long as you’re not wearing them. His voice was steady, with a faint but pleasing accent, and his golden hair ruffled in the breeze.

Then the image shifted, and I was wearing the breeches and a white shirt, standing at the side of a dark bay gelding.

Surely women in Cokyri don’t ride horses, I said.

The woman who raised me is one of the best riders in the empire, Narian responded from where he stood by the horse’s head, and any will to resist left me as I gazed into his compelling blue eyes.

He came to my side and bent his knee toward me, offering his leg as a step so that I could mount the animal by myself. I gracelessly complied, and he smiled up at me, his cheeks flushed with happiness, his expression unguarded. Then he swung up behind me on the horse’s back.

Now we were riding through the darkened city, the horse’s hooves sometimes clacking against cobblestone, other times muffled on a dirt street, the moon and stars reflecting off the dusting of snow upon the ground. I leaned back against him, warmed by his body, at one with him and at peace with the world. We gradually circled around to return to the Royal Stables, where he dismounted, then looked up at me. I slid off the horse into his arms, and I could see the love in his eyes; then his lips met mine and I melted against him, a thrill sweeping through me.

The scene changed once more …

We were in my parlor, sitting in front of the glowing embers of the fireplace. I nestled against him, secure in his arms, listening to the steady cadence of his voice as he described to me the raw beauty of Cokyri, the land in which he had been raised.

Then London appeared, pulling Narian from me.

You will keep away from Alera or you will deal with me, he growled before locking his eyes upon mine. We cannot control our hearts, Alera, but we must control our minds and bodies. You cannot marry him. It is best that you keep away from him, so that these feelings will disappear. I stared at London, an ache in every fiber of my being, tears falling freely.

It was dark outside when I awoke, my slumber disturbed by sounds from the parlor, my pillow and cheeks damp. I contemplated the light filtering through my open door, then decided to investigate, slipping on my robe.

The parlor had not changed much since my parents had lived here, and yet Steldor had made his mark. The cream brocade armchairs that my mother had favored were still grouped near the window that offered a view of the garden and, beyond that, of the Kilwin Forest that spread toward the Niñeyre Mountain Range to the north. The sofa, however, had been replaced by one of brown leather, reflective of Steldor’s tastes. The fireplace on the eastern wall that had always been bounded by bookshelves and fronted by a bench now also served as a backdrop for leather armchairs and a gaming table. The desk that my father had rarely used had been stocked with quills, ink, parchment and account books, a pair of armchairs and an elaborately carved sideboard added nearby. Tapestries continued to adorn the walls and cushion the floors, with oil lamps providing soft lighting. My touch seemed to be the only one missing from the room, and it felt odd to be absent thus from my own home.

Steldor was placing a tray upon the low table that sat in front of the sofa when his eyes caught my movement.

Feeling better? he asked, pouring himself a glass of wine.

I nodded, debating whether or not I should join him.

Then come—I have brought something for you to eat.

Despite his invitation, I stayed in place while he filled a second goblet for me. He glanced up and, noting my reluctance to approach, stepped toward the fireplace, where his coat, doublet and weapons lay on the hearth bench.

I promise to let you eat in peace, he said with a chuckle, making a sweeping motion with his arm toward the meal he had brought.

My cheeks bloomed, but I walked forward nonetheless, the smell of food irresistible. Steldor relaxed in an armchair with his goblet and jug of wine, and I sank onto the sofa to devour the meat, bread and fruit. When the hollow feeling in my stomach had at last receded, I glanced at my husband, whose bemused expression brought another blush to my cheeks.

Don’t let me stop you, he said, as if realizing he was upsetting me. I ate just as hungrily about an hour ago.

I took a few additional bites, albeit a bit more daintily, then put down my tableware.

How long did I sleep? I asked.

At last I hear your sweet voice, Steldor teased, his spirits obviously running high. He poured himself another glass of wine before returning to my question. You’ve managed to dream away almost three hours.

I stared at him, surprised and appalled by the possibility that I had slept through my first duties as Queen of Hytanica.

Are the celebrations over then?

Yes, unless we wish to have a private celebration of our own. He stood with a roguish grin and carried the wine toward me. But don’t feel guilty. I suspect I enjoyed the revelry to a much greater extent than you would have.

Returning his own glass and the wine jug to the tray-laden table, he picked up my goblet and handed it to me. I took a sip, aware that his eyes were upon me and unsure of his intentions. After an awkward moment, he stepped around the table and sat beside me. I immediately stood, as if his weight had propelled me upward.

I believe I will retire for the night. Pray excuse me, my lord.

He gave a short, cynical laugh. Sleep … food … drink … You surely have recovered enough to keep me company for a short time.

If you wish it.

I sat down stiffly on the edge of the sofa, my hands wrapped around my glass of wine. Without a word, Steldor took the goblet and set it on the tray, then pulled the pins from my hair, letting my tresses cascade about my shoulders.

A week ago, you asked me to take things slowly, and I agreed and kept my distance, he said, examining my face. I even slept on the floor in my soldier’s bedroll the last few nights of our stay in the guest room.

He paused, twirling a strand of my silky hair around his forefinger.

I fail to understand how you will become physically comfortable with me when you will not even let me kiss you, let alone touch you.

Though his voice was light, I could see the longing in his eyes. I bowed my head in misery, knowing that he had the right to expect more, that I had no excuse. Shifting closer, he cupped my chin, then leaned forward to tenderly and sensually press his lips against mine. Despite my desire to escape, I was enticed by his gentle advance and captured, as always, by his provocative scent. He pulled back to assess my reaction and then opened my robe. Glancing again in my eyes, he rested the fingers of his right hand upon the hollow of my throat, then traced the line of my collarbone, gradually dropping lower to sweep across the swell of my breasts.

Please, don’t, I breathlessly asserted, unable to stem my deepening blush or calm the rapid beating of my heart.

You must accept my touch, he murmured, repeating the path of his fingers with his lips.

Stop, I tried again, but his mouth found mine, muffling my words, while his hands followed the curves of my body, sending heat coursing through me. Hating that he could affect me in this way against my will, I pushed against his chest. For one horrible moment, I thought he might not yield, but he straightened, his hands settling on my waist, an exasperated frown upon his handsome features.

Your lips respond favorably to mine, so perhaps it is your heart that is unwilling, he said, deliberately drawing me toward him. As your husband, I have the right to your body, with or without your heart.

If you love me at all, if you have any hope that I will one day love you, you will not do this, I beseeched, knowing how helpless I would be against him.

He held me a moment longer, his deep brown eyes boring into my own, then released me to stalk toward the fireplace. Although my heart still pounded, I felt a wave of dizzying relief as he grabbed his doublet from the hearth bench, shrugging it on. After seizing his weapons and strapping them about his hips, he strode to the door without a word or even a passing glance.

Where are you going? I asked.

Out, he snapped. With one last withering look at me, he disappeared into the hallway, leaving me to contemplate the vagaries of his personality as well as the contradictory impulses of my body and my heart.

The following day, I became aware even before I saw him that Steldor’s displeasure with me had not diminished. While he usually left our quarters quietly before I was awake, this morning he had taken special care to disturb me, even slamming the parlor door on his way out. Sighing, I dressed and breakfasted, then left the room to begin my first official day as Queen.

I made my way to the Grand Staircase, feeling incomplete without a personal bodyguard. During my father’s reign, he had ordered that my mother, my younger sister and I be constantly guarded, probably due to the wariness instilled in him by the war with Cokyri. Steldor had decided that there was little need for such measures while we were within the heavily protected palace, and Cannan had reassigned the men who served in such a capacity. To placate my father, however, Steldor had left Halias, the Elite Guard who had been safeguarding my sister since the day of her birth, in place as Miranna’s guard.

My first order of business was to meet with the heads of the household staff in the Queen’s Drawing Room, located on the first floor in the palace’s East Wing. After discussing the menu for the upcoming days with the cook and determining which rooms were to be cleaned by the maids that week, the head housekeeper informed me that two servants needed to be replaced and that she had several candidates for me to consider. I stared at her from where I sat behind the desk that had always served my mother, alarmed at the request. This was the first time I had been expected to hire someone.

What purposes would these maids serve? I inquired.

One would do general cleaning, Your Highness, the housekeeper replied. The other would serve Princess Miranna, as Ailith has left to marry.

And the women are with you?

Yes, my lady, they’re in the corridor.

Well, I suppose I should talk with them.

Yes, my lady.

I shifted uneasily while I waited for the housekeeper to bring forth the applicants, trying to determine the basis upon which such a decision was to be made. Four women of varying ages, shapes and sizes came into the room to line up before me, and I asked the only question that came to mind.

Have any of you previously held a position as a maid?

Unfortunately, they all replied in the negative. There was a tense moment as I struggled for something more to ask, then I spoke to the youngest and best groomed of the four.

What is your name?

Ryla, Your Majesty, she replied with a bright smile, and my intuition told me that her personality would blend well with my sister’s.

Do you believe you could carry out the duties of a personal maid?

Yes, Your Highness. I’m a quick learner and would be honored to fill such a position.

Very well, you will serve Princess Miranna.

At a loss as to how to distinguish among the remaining three candidates, I turned to the housekeeper.

I shall leave the final decisions to you, I said, hoping I sounded more confident than I felt. You are no doubt better able to judge the abilities of these women than am I.

The housekeeper nodded and ushered all four from the room. As a maid entered with lunch, I dismissed the rest of the staff to attend to their duties, and moved to one of the rose velvet armchairs beside the bay window. While I ate, my thoughts turned to the first official gathering I would plan as Queen: a small celebration on the nineteenth of June in honor of Miranna’s seventeenth birthday.

The head cook returned in the afternoon, along with a palace scribe, and I began to discuss the ideas I had formed for a dinner party. Over the next few hours, I decided on a menu and a guest list, charging the scribe with preparing the invitations. The guests would include my parents; Lord Temerson, the young man my sister favored, and his parents; Miranna’s best friend, Lady Semari, and her parents; Cannan and his wife, Baroness Faramay; Steldor’s best friend, Lord Galen, and whomever Galen asked to accompany him; and Lord Baelic, Cannan’s younger brother, with his wife and two eldest daughters, for his girls were among my sister’s circle of friends.

After joining my family for dinner, I was so worn-out from the day’s stresses that I would have liked to return to my quarters, but I hesitated in light of the mood Steldor had presented that morning. Since he had not shared the evening meal with us, I assumed his disposition had not improved and feared an encounter with him in our parlor. I thus went to the library instead. An hour later, I left with my book, hoping to avoid my husband and his antagonistic attitude by going straight to bed.

To my dismay, I entered the parlor to discover Galen and Steldor sitting in armchairs across from each other with the gaming table in between, deeply enmeshed in a chess match. Galen had recently been appointed Sergeant at Arms, the former sergeant Kade having willingly passed to the younger man the responsibility of commanding the Palace Guard. As Galen was quickly discovering, this also cast him in the role of Cannan’s official lackey, and he was finding it necessary to spend long days, and sometimes nights, in the palace.

I examined the two friends, noticing again how alike they were in appearance. Only a year older than Steldor, Galen was of similar height and build and even had the same taste in clothing. I had always thought their personalities to be similar, too, but had recently started to consider that Galen’s nature, like his brown hair and eyes, was not as dark as Steldor’s.

Galen glanced in my direction and hastened to his feet.

My Queen, he said with a slight bow, whereupon Steldor took note of me, although he did not rise. I inclined my head toward the sergeant, at the same time stealing a peek at my husband, unsure whether or not I was welcome.

Perhaps I should take my leave, Galen said, feeling the tension that now permeated the room. We can finish our chess game another time.

Just sit down, Steldor gruffly directed. "Alera won’t mind. She likes it when something or someone comes between us."

Ignoring the King’s remark, I held up my book and spoke sweetly to Galen.

Please, do stay. I was planning to read anyway.

Trust me, Steldor added, indicating the chessboard. "This will be the best part of my evening."

While it had not been my original intent to remain in the parlor, I chose to do so now, knowing that my presence would aggravate Steldor and provide some repayment for his rude comments. Although clearly unhappy at having been caught in the cross fire, Galen took his seat, and the two men resumed their match. I crossed to the sofa, stepping around the table that stood before it upon which had been placed the usual goblets and jug of wine. Slipping off my shoes, I tucked my feet beneath me on the padded leather and began to read, only to be pulled from my book about twenty minutes later by Steldor.

Alera, bring us some wine, he called.

My skin prickled in indignation at the interruption, and I wondered why he was unable to get the wine himself, or why he felt the need to issue an order rather than make a request. As I deliberated, Galen stood and strode toward the table without a word to either of us. He filled one goblet with wine and extended it to me.

Thank you, kind sir, I said, smiling at his gesture and deriving great satisfaction from my husband’s irritated frown.

Most welcome, Galen rejoined with a smirk.

After filling two additional goblets, he tucked the jug under his arm, then walked back to Steldor. With a feigned look of apology, he handed one of the glasses to his best friend.

I felt the need to help a damsel in distress, he explained, retaking his seat. To my surprise, Steldor laughed, and Galen placed the jug upon the floor so that they could continue their game.

A few minutes later, I set my full goblet down on the low sofa table, still not having cultivated a taste for the drink, then stood and walked toward the two friends.

"Good night, gentleman, I said pointedly, looking at Galen before directing my attention to Steldor. And good night, husband. I believe I will retire. As they looked up at me, I warmly addressed our guest. It was nice to see you again. You were most assuredly the best part of my evening, as well."

With a final glance at Steldor, I disappeared into my bedroom, pleased with the consternation I had seen upon his face.

She’s a bit feisty, isn’t she? I heard Galen say almost approvingly as I closed the door behind me. I remained next to it, listening for my husband’s response.

Yes, she is quite a challenge. I’d break her of her impudence, but I’m afraid that may be her best quality.

The two men chuckled, and I leaned back against the wood, angry at Steldor for belittling me in front of his best friend and disappointed in myself for caring.

I prepared for bed, railing in my head against the circumstances in which I found myself. Had it not been for my father’s selfishness and his inability to see me as anything but a device in the plans of men, I would not now be married to Steldor. The former King had long ago determined that the Captain of the Guard’s son should be his successor in the absence of a male heir, not caring about my happiness—not caring that I had given my heart to another.

Feeling empty inside, I sat upon the bed and unwisely let my mind drift to Narian, the enigmatic son of the Baron Koranis and Baroness Alantonya. My father had feared the young man and the questions regarding his loyalties—Narian had been abducted as an infant and raised in Cokyri, the ruthless mountain empire that had for a century been our enemy. When he had returned to his Hytanican family ten months ago, it had seemed that my eyes alone were not clouded by hatred and bigotry. I had been able to see Narian for who he truly was: a young man with courage and an independent mind, who had been made to pay for so much that was outside his control. He couldn’t help his past any more than he could help the way those intense, deep blue eyes pierced me and held me captive. I trusted him, and he respected and trusted me.

With a heavy sigh and a heavier heart, I crawled beneath my covers, deciding to read in the hope of suppressing further memories. But as the candle in my lantern slowly burned down, I concentrated less on the words and more on the question of whether any eventuality could restore hope for the life of which I had dreamed.

CHAPTER 2

            RETRIBUTION

MY LADY? MY LADY.

As the voice penetrated my slumber, I slowly opened my eyes, rolling onto my back to see who had spoken.

My apologies, Your Highness, murmured my golden-haired, round-faced personal maid, Sahdienne, from my bedroom door.

What is the hour? I asked, glancing toward the heavy drapes that blocked the sunlight from my room.

Half past nine, my lady.

Half past nine? I repeated, jarring fully awake and swinging my feet to the floor. I’ve overslept. Hurry and help me dress.

Sahdienne rushed to the window, and I squinted when she let the light of day shine brilliantly through the glass.

A guard was sent here with a message, Your Majesty, she hesitantly continued, as though still apologizing for her presumptuous action in rousing the Queen, however prolonged her sleep may have been.

What was the message?

You’ve been asked to report to the Captain of the Guard’s office as soon as possible.

I frowned, perplexed, and Sahdienne moved toward my wardrobe to assist in the selection of my attire.

Did the messenger give a reason?

No, my lady.

She helped me into the gown I had indicated and then brushed my dark brown hair while I sat in front of the mirror that graced the top of my dressing table. As she began to fashion my tresses, intending to pull them up off my shoulders, I shooed her away.

Don’t fuss further. I shouldn’t keep Cannan waiting.

Foregoing breakfast, I hastened into the corridor, not slowing until I reached the landing of the double staircase. Smoothing my skirt, I more sedately descended the flight to my left, turning to walk underneath it in order to enter the Throne Room by means of the antechamber. The Captain of the Guard’s office opened off the eastern wall, and a Palace Guard knocked upon its door at my approach. Without waiting for an answer, he opened the door. Overcome with foreboding at sight of the men who were talking with the captain, I stopped on the threshold.

I had expected that Cannan desired to speak with me alone, although to what end I could not fathom, but Steldor, Galen, Destari and my father were also present. This placed me in the company of the Captain of the Guard, the King, the Sergeant at Arms, a deputy captain in the Elite Guard and the former King, men who were not only imposing, but intensely dark in coloring. As everyone’s expressions were somber, I felt as if I was stepping into a room full of storm clouds.

Cannan was seated behind his desk, with Steldor on his left so that he likewise faced the others. Everyone came respectfully to their feet, but I continued to stand still, unnerved.

Come in, Your Majesty. Have a seat.

Cannan motioned to a spare wooden chair in front of his desk, which looked to me to be an interrogation chair, for it was not designed for comfort. Galen and my father—who was still addressed as King Adrik, though he no longer ruled—took up seats in similar chairs to my left. Destari, the towering Elite Guard who had at times replaced London as my bodyguard, stood on my right, unaccustomed, I supposed, to relaxing while within his captain’s office. Father and son had reseated themselves in leather armchairs, and I eyed Cannan, unable to imagine the reason he had sent for me; women in Hytanica, including the Queen, were not consulted in financial, political or military matters.

We’ve been updating Steldor regarding our efforts to hold the Cokyrians at the river, the captain explained. It’s time to inform him of Narian’s significance to the enemy.

My breath caught, and I fervently hoped I had not yet awakened—that this was just a nightmare. I did not want to have to discuss Narian in the presence of any of these men; that was doubly true when it came to my father and Steldor.

London has not yet returned to Hytanica, Cannan continued in his businesslike manner. It is incumbent upon you and Destari to tell us to the best of your abilities about the Legend of the Bleeding Moon.

Then let Destari speak, I blurted. He knows as much if not more about the legend than do I.

Cannan, I was certain, knew what I was doing, but he let it pass and turned to the deputy captain, who came to attention.

Stand at ease, and tell us what you know.

Yes, sir. On the day of the tournament last October, London met with Alera and me to discuss an urgent matter. He told us that he had become suspicious of Narian and had gone to Cokyri to learn what he could about his upbringing.

My father seemed shocked by this news, and even the military men seemed taken aback by London’s bold and dangerous initiative, leading me to believe that no one else would have dared to venture into the enemy’s stronghold.

While he was there, Destari continued in his deep, resonating voice, "he discovered an account of an ancient legend, the Legend of the Bleeding Moon, which foretold of our kingdom’s downfall. The account repeated our own lore about how our first King hallowed our land with the blood of his infant son to give Hytanica abiding protection from her enemies. The legend held, however, that a Hytanican boy would be born under a bleeding moon, and that this boy would be marked by the moon and given the power to overthrow his kingdom.

"In the final months of the war seventeen years ago, a blood-red moon dominated the night, and the Cokyrians snatched our infant boys from their homes. All those taken were murdered except for one, the young man now known to us as Narian. I’m sure you are all aware of his unusual

Reviews for Allegiance

[a_reader_of_fictions · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Okay, so before I can talk too much about Allegiance, I need to talk some about Legacy, since I can now do so without spoilers. When I prepared to read this book, I realized my memory was fuzzy, because, well, it's my memory. Anyway, I tried reading my review, but that was less than helpful, because I didn't want to spoil anything and concrete facts were what I needed.

Last night before bed, I reread the last couple chapters of Legacy to brush up. Anyway, that reminded me both of the things that I loved, and the things I didn't. Basically, the main character needs to stand up for herself more and the society needs to be more open-minded. What I loved so much about Legacy, though, was that Kluver did something I did not expect. She married the heroine off to the guy you didn't want her to marry, the guy she didn't want to marry.

Obviously, this made me sad, but I also loved it. Why? Because usually in fiction, the princess manages to get out of her arranged marriage and marry the guy of her dreams. Examples include Aurelia and Entwined. No such luck here. This seems a lot more realistic. I could not wait to see how Kluver was going to handle this, since it's not like she can just divorce her husband, the king. Pretty much the only way out of this will be to fall in love with him (which sounds tricky what with him being such a playboy) or for him to die. Either way, I knew some serious drama was in store.

Okay, so now that I've read Allegiance, I find myself entirely satisfied, except that I don't have the final book, Sacrifice, in my hands right now. How will I wait?!?

Alera is much the same as she was in the first book; she still frustrates me no end sometimes. From her narration, it's obvious that she is an intelligent, powerful woman, but she doesn't see that in herself. She spends a lot of the book crying and throwing the grown up equivalent of temper tantrums. While normally this would lead me to dislike a book, here it just shows what the Hytanican society can do to even the best of women. Simply disgusting the way their women are treated and undervalued. However, by the end, Alera is finally starting to realize that she's a force to be reckoned with, so yay for that.

The romance aspect of the book felt like Kluver was playing tug of war with my heart. Just when I had switched to supporting one guy, I would then be tempted to switch to another. Ahhh! Mostly, this was seriously frustrating, but in as good a way as possible.

Mostly, though, what I think I love so much about this series is the fact that I cannot predict what will happen much of the time. The fact that I can't see things coming makes the whole thing such an emotional thrill ride. Kluver's definitely defying some of the standard YA plot lines and putting the characters through hell. Love it!

Fans of YA fantasy will likely adore The Legacy Trilogy as much as I have, especially people who have enjoyed Tamora Pierce novels.

[thelostentwife · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I'm in love with this series.Cayla Kluver has written a world that is complex, interesting, filled with great characters and tension and I'm astonished that she was able to do this at her age in a way that was not at all noticeable.In my review of Legacy, I mentioned that I read the story before I knew anything about this author, but I found in reading Allegiance that even knowing what I do know about Kluver now, it didn't make an ounce of different. Instead, I found myself completely lost in a world that I would have loved to be the creator of. My biggest issue with these stories, and I do think this is a youth thing, is the lack of feminine power held by Alera - but it's balanced by the opposing kingdom - the Cokyrians. It's hard to explain - just.. trust me, even if the book starts to annoy you with its lack of feminine power keep giving it a shot, because the ending will not disappoint.

[bookishdame · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was impressed to find that Ms Kluver's first book "Legacy" won such recognition. This 2nd book in her series seems to fall short of that sort of award-winning, I think. Such is often the way of 2nd and 3rd books in a series. And this is a publishing world in which authors are encouraged to produce a series when one fine book might suffice.This is a book for older young adults in that it has a more complex storyline about male-female relationships. While it is about young people in their late teens and early 20's, they actually behave like much older adults, which is disconcerting to the reader who expected less implied sexuality. I felt as if I were reading a sort of historical romance novel couched in a fantasy wrapper or vice versa. Ordinarily I can adjust to his senario. However, in this case, it was difficult to keep my concentration focused on the "other worldliness," though I did like the characters. I simply felt the author was trying too hard to straddle both worlds without being clear which one she was in! I attribute this to her being a young author who doesn't have the experience necessary to focus one way or another. Dialog was too contemporary to fit either category. All in all, it made for a novel that was a bit wonkey. The characters are interesting, the premise is good, and YAs will like the beautiful figures, castle and clothing described. That may make you wonder why I would question anything at all...but you'd have to read the mishmash or believe me to understand what I mean. Here's a twist: What appealed to me, but was actually out of place as well, was the young Alera standing up for herself against all the powerful men of the Kingdom. A daunting idea in the apparent "age" and time she found herself, and with the particularly violent and explosive temper of a husband who was King. I liked her spunk, but soon after she'd shown her strength a few times, I got bored with it, and kept wondering when she was going to loosen up a little! As women, we have to find a happy medium, and balance that with the understanding creatures we are, as well as keeping our individuality. Anger and violence from either gender is abhorrent, after all. Why should a woman get away with what a man shouldn't?Without beating a dead horse, I reiterate that this book is a mixed bag. There are some good moments if you're interested in a historical romance...but if you want a well-developed fantasy novel, this isn't it. Since I didn't read the first book in this series, I didn't have all the background on Alera, the young woman Queen, and her sweetheart Narian, a great warrior from an opposing clan. But, that story is soon picked up in the reading of "Allegiance." You won't miss much if you didn't read the first book. In a nutshell Alera's "allegiance" to her country is in contrast to her love for Narian...thus, the proverbial battle of love and war.I cannot recommend this novel without reservation to my readers and friends. It's a novel with a good premise that wasn't given a clear follow-through, written by a novice writer with promise, I think. I have to say readers beware...at best a light reading distraction that may fail to please..

[bookswithbite · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

After reading the first book, I was hooked! This book picks up right where it left off and the reader is swept away by emotions, a brewing war and a marriage!I really enjoyed the feel of the book. It was like me stepping through a portal of time, watching everything unfold before my eyes. Alera is going through some tough times and major changes. I really like how in this book she dealt with everything. She takes her new position as queen every seriously, even going as far as standing up to her overbearing dad. The reader can feel Alera emotions so well through the wonderful writing of Ms. Kulver. At times, the emotions are dripping off the page that you just want to drown in it. The feeling of being in Alera shoe's is a once in a lifetime feeling. Now, the love interest gets a little complicated. There is no real love triangle going on physically but the reader is left with the aching feeling of emptiness in Alera's heart. The longing she felt and the duty she is bound to left the reader's heart aching. Alear long for some freedom, long for the love that she wanted and needed. I admire her strength to do the right thing in the line of duty. That has got to be one of the toughest position to be in. To love from afar, all cause you must keep your word.If you want a heart wrenching, writing explosion of emotions, war, and fighting, read this book. The detailing of the time and place takes the reader off to the lands of Hytanica raging the war between right and wrong. In the darkest time, Alera will face the toughest questions. What do you go with? Your heart or your duty?

[summerskris_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The beginning of the novel was all that I could hope for. Steldor and Alera's marriage comes to a rocky start with Alera avoiding intimacy and Steldor respecting her but for some flirtations. However, the awkwardness is still there, and both have tempers that cause them great frustrations. I can't help but wonder why Alera continuously refutes Steldor's advances rather than permitting him to continue courting her after marriage and trying to get to know him better. After all, when she agreed to marry him, she should have expected to carry her duty, as Queen and a wife, to produce an heir.I was frustrated with Alera for the most part. While the motivations for her actions in book one are understandable, she's a Queen now by her own choice, and she ought to take responsibility now. Yes, she wanted to protect Miranna, but she now has a duty as Queen to fulfill yet she still acts like a rebellious teenage girl. I feel that Alera was in denial about a lot of things. She keeps Steldor at bay despite her responsibility to him as a wife to respect him, rather than try to anger him, and to produce an heir to keep the royal line running. She goes horseback riding without regard to her position. She refuses to forget about Narian.I grew more fond of Steldor, who is obviously trying to be a good husband, as the story progressed, and it is apparent that Alera develops some feelings for him. However, Narian is still the one she loves, though she can't deny that he has joined the enemy forces, a fact that coincides about the same time that her sister is abducted by enemy forces. Something possible only because she told him about a certain tunnel.It is after the castle falls to the enemy that my interest in the story wavered as the anticipation built in book one fell short of my expectations. I won't list all my grievances. I don't want to go on a rampage because some things didn't go my way. Let's just say that everything happened a little too conveniently and that while I liked Legacy, Allegiance just doesn't follow through all the way for me.Thus far, Alera has been a pawn in a game of mens. In Sacrifice, the final book in the trilogy, she will be a woman in her own right, with her own power. I look forward to seeing what she does.

[bookaholiccat · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

3 ½ Stars

Allegiance is the second book in the Legacy Trilogy by Cayla Kluver.

I have to be honest, after reading Legacy (first book) I didn’t have high expectations about this book, but anyway I wanted to read it because I wanted to see what Ms. Kluver was going to do with the story.

The beginning of the book felt promising, actually I was surprised that many of the problems I had with Legacy were in some part fixed in Allegiance, but sadly half way in it started to fall short of my “new” expectations. The attention to detail wasn’t as overwhelming as with Legacy, but still sometimes it was a bit too much, the length of the book is unnecessarily long and needed some editing. But my biggest problem was the lack of growth of the characters, especially the main character, Alera.
In legacy while being in love with Narian Alera agreed to marry Steldor and become the new Queen of Hytanica next to her new husband.
Allegiance starts couple of days after their marriage with the coronation of Steldor and Alera as the new monarchs of Hytanica. I thought ok, Alera didn’t love Steldor but she agreed to marry him the least I was expecting was for her to do her best of the situation, she now is the Queen and I was expecting her to behave like one, but no, she is still the same spoiled selfish child thinking only about herself and brooding about Narian.
Steldor is patient with Alera, he doesn't want to force her to anything, he loves her and wants her to come to him of her own accord. He tries to approach her but is always meet with the cold wall of her indifference. Alera is attracted to Steldor but instead of working on a relationship with her husband she feels as if she’s betraying Narian, sorry but Narian is not your husband Steldor is! It was painful to see Alera’s attitude, not once she thought about her responsibility as a Queen and as a wife, even in the moments that Steldor needed her the most she keep her distance, I don’t know what kind of wife or woman could do what she did. By then she lost all the points she had earned with me. After these events she tried to take some control but it was always after somebody else told her what to do. She was a scared, immature and selfish child, not a Queen.

Now let’s talk about Alera’s men. In Legacy I liked Narian and hated Steldor. I was really disappointed when Alera accepted to marry Steldor without fighting for Narian, I kind of understood her reasons, but still I wanted Narian for her. In Allegiance I saw the real Steldor and my opinion changed completely. Ok, he has a temper but is not without provocation, with a wife like Alera is easy to lose your head, still he was caring, attentive, sympathetic, patient and overall her love for Alera was obvious.
Narian not only is fighting for the enemy, he’s leading the army, ok, supposedly he’s trying to minimize the damage but anyway the land is being destroyed and thousands of Hytanicas are dying under the hands of the troops he commands. Hytanica fell to the Cokyrians thanks to him. I thought Narian could have found a better solution to his predicament than following the Overlord orders and destroying Hytanica.

The secondary characters were sometimes more interesting than Alera, especially London and Canaan, they were the real force behind the good (queenly) actions that Alera did. Alera’s sister Miranna was one of the character that changed the most, although her change was a bittersweet one it was good to see some character development in her.

The pace in Allegiance flows better than in Legacy but still it stalls in some parts. The plot is well defined and interesting and it will have you glued to the pages wanting to see what is coming next. Despite the problems I had with Allegiance (Alera) I can honestly say I enjoyed it and it was a book difficult to put down. The outcomes are unexpected and will have you guessing page after page, surprising you more than once along the way.
The end was somehow a closure but still there is a lot to come. The next and last book, Sacrifice, will be release at the end of this year. I’m planing to read it, I want (hope) to see if Alera is going to be the Queen her people need.

I recommend this book and this series in general to all YA Fantasy lovers.

[darkfaerietales_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Review courtesy of Dark Faerie TalesQuick & Dirty: A continuation of the epic fantasy that I fell in love with. A princess tale filled with angst and turmoil, destined to yearn for that happily ever after.Opening Sentence: The Hall was empty except for a cloaked figure who stood motionless upon a black marble dais.The Review:In Allegiance, the second book of Cayla Kluver’s debut series, we begin where Legacy left off. Alera is married to Steldor, and will soon be crowned Queen of the kingdom. Narian has returned to Cokyri, tensions between the two kingdoms are as high as ever, and it is clear that they are both on the brink of a war. Cokyri has an upper hand this time around, with the help of Narian. But will Alera still love the boy that opened her eyes and heart? Or will she turn her back away from him forever, only to be hurt one last time?The exceptional characters that Kluver has created are back. This time, we see different sides of every single one of them. Where I felt I loved a character in Legacy, I seemed to dislike in Allegiance. And I love that about Kluver. Her talent is endless. Kluver challenged my perceptions of my heroes and villains.Princess Alera is still headstrong. I feel that sometimes, her pride gets in the way of the duties that she must uphold to. Alera constantly challenges how things are done in Hytanica, but I feel that is a testament of her strength and character. Alera grew as a person, and Allegiance was an emotional journey to come to terms with who she was as a ruler. Her actions weren’t acts of rebellion, but rather, actions of loyalty to her heart and love. Alera had to have hope, so she challenged what she knew and rewrote the rules.Steldor surprised me. As much as I wanted to continue to dislike him, I actually fell in love with him. I sometimes forget that Steldor is still pretty young when Allegiance begins. He is the King of Hytanica, with expectations as high as the sky. But in truth, my imagination was his only barrier. Steldor is a loyal man, loyal to Hytanica and to Alera. The love that he showed her was the foundation of his heart. He was ready to make that leap of faith to prove his love for her.Kluver killed me when it came to Narian. I was so heart-broken with him. And I suppose, I now know how Alera felt. He did so much to protect Alera, despite how dark and ugly it could be. He grew from his pain and moved on to the next thing to survive.Allegiance is a fantastic historical fiction that revolves around Hytanica and Cokyri. It has the elements of a great love story, and the action of an epic war story. Royalty garnishes the story like the jewels on a dress. But above all else, the characters are unique, developed, and definitely full of personality. Kluver’s world is still filled with secrecy and enigma, a perfect backdrop to Allegiance’s theme of love and betrayal.It’s been a while since I’ve read Legacy, so before I began Allegiance, I reread Legacy. I instantly fell back in love with the kingdom of Hytanica, and its people. There is something about Kluver’s writing that transports me to her world. I escape all inhibitions and become a citizen of Hytanica. And that is why Kluver is one of my favorite authors.Notable Scene:“Worried about my eternal soul, are you?” he queried. I again struggled to speak, but he waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t be. My soul won’t be in danger until we’ve shared a bed. Consummation is a requirement of the marriage, remember?”I grimaced and studied the pattern of the rug, wishing I had not raised the subject. A moment passed in silence, then I felt his hand beneath my chin. When I raised my head, he gave me a long and sensual kiss, his enthralling scent washing over me, and I was thrown off balance. He, however, went on his way as though nothing had transpired between us. Reeling from the unexpected feelings of both pleasure and confusion that his kiss had stirred, I stumbled to my room to prepare for bed. The entire evening now seemed surreal—Baelic’s offer to take me horseback riding, Alantonya’s questions about Narian, London’s unusual behavior, the compliment Steldor had earlier paid me, the love I had felt in his kiss, my response to his overture. I smiled drolly, for while I was bone weary, I suspected it would be hours before my restless mind and troubled heart would let me sleep.FTC Advisory: Harlequin Teen provided me with a copy of Allegience. No goody bags, sponsorships, “material connections,” or bribes were exchanged for my review.

[abouttoread_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved every second of Allegiance. I wasn’t really sure what to expect after the surprising way that Legacy ended, but from the very beginning of the novel, I was captivated. Allegiance starts out with a deep-dive into Steldor and Alera’s relationship. We see them interacting as a married couple, as Steldor continues to wait for Alera to accept their relationship and return his love.Steldor was my favorite part of the novel, he was so sweet! He was romantic and caring, and yes he has his faults—but considering the culture he grew-up in, he is actually extremely considerate of women. Steldor does not hit his wife, and he does make an attempt to listen to her thoughts and opinions. Since he grew up in an environment where women are supposed to be seen and not heard, as well as physically disciplined, I think Steldor should be commended for his inclusion of Alera in political matters and his refusal to strike her. The entire time I was reading Allegiance, I was dying for Alera to accept Steldor. He loves her so much, and he is trying so hard to make her love him too. He really is a caring person and I think he would definitely be able to make Alera happy.The war-torn back-drop to Allegiance made for a heartbreaking read. There was tragedy left and right, and I was in tears for a good majority of the novel. While Allegiance is very character driven, it still has a pretty exciting plot. There is a ton of romance, plotting, and violence going on to keep the attention of readers who need more action in their novels. Personally, the extra-dose of tragedy was all I needed to add some more magic to the world that Cayla Kluver has created.Allegiance was a lot more exciting than Legacy for two reasons. First of all, the battle with Cokyri is more intense than ever—leading to a lot of action and drama. The romance is also a lot more intense than it was in Legacy. I suspect that there will be a lot of debate over who Alera is better off with—Steldor or Narian. This is a perfect series for fans of fantasy and character-driven plots. I’m not really sure what direction Sacrifice, the final book of the series, will head in—but I am anxiously awaiting the chance to read it and find out!

[theepicrat · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

There is no question that Legacy left one of the most uncool cliffhangers that I have ever faced in the history of reading. Whether or not it served as a ploy to get readers to pick up the next installment, I must admit that I am glad that I gave Cayla Kluver another chance because Allegiance was absolutely heartbreakingly good in the sense that one character made the story come to life for me.THE GOOD BITS{Falling in love with the “bad guy”} I can accept Alera’s scandalous love for the Cokyrian enemy Narian that was established in Legacy, but honestly I just do not see the magic between them. I also accepted that Steldor, Alera’s more proper suitor, may be a jerk to the nth degree who hit the jackpot of marrying Alera and becoming King of Hytanica. Steldor was one of those hot guys with a not-so-hot personality in Legacy and I did not expect much from him in Book 2, so how is it that he wormed his way into my heart by the end of Allegiance? No one was more surprised than I to find that Steldor’s arrogance hid a more vulnerable young man who also had a heart capable of breaking.{WAR! What is it good for?} Legacy set up the stage, but Allegiance finally delivers its promises of war between Cokyri and Hytanica. Granted, there is still the pretty political dance of back-stabbing, but as the Cokyrians start to show their true colors, Alera and her kingdom are left with no choice but to defend themselves. Cayla Kluver has woved complications upon complications into the story, and the results will sure to catch readers off-guard in the best possible manner. It might seem too neatly tied together albeit not quite the way Alera would have hoped, but I suspect that no matter how trim the bow on top of the box is, the bomb inside will be sure to deliver kingdom come when Book 3 releases.THE BAD BITS{How do you solve a problem like Alera?} Okay, she did not drive me as nuts as she did in Legacy, but I still do not care for her terribly much. In my eyes, Alera is simply a figurehead for Hytanica, but she continues to lack the ability to take care of herself or her kingdom and does not appreciate a good man when he is standing in right front of her. Which is not her fault because I know she wants to be more strong and independent – and honestly I cannot control her wayward heart. Yet I am still waiting for her to catch up to my expectations. When Steldor manages to steal the show away from Alera, I feel like that has to mean something has gone curiously off-center.THE OVERALLAllegiance rescues readers from the cliffs of Legacy, and it plops down to where the story starts to get good and twisty. Cayla Kluver has intricately crafted an elaborate story with an unexpected romance of doomed proportions, and I cannot remember encountering a more fascinating character who completely changes my initial perceptions of them since something blue.

[flashlight_reader · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

First off, do not start a series without reading the first book. Just don’t do it. As I read this book, it became painfully obvious that I was missing a lot of emotions because I didn’t read Legacy. I had no idea about the passion and depth behind Alera and Narian’s relationship. So of course, I instantly started liking Steldor. (Gasp.) I couldn’t help it. Even with his chauvinistic views and mannerisms, I still liked him. Actually, I felt sorry for the way Alera always treated him. As the book went on, I figured out how deeply Alera cared for Narian, so that part of the plot made sense by the end. (Even if I did find it disappointing.) The plot was intricate. The author does an amazing job with building the world that her characters live in. The descriptive details used painted vivid images within my mind on every page. I felt like I was living in this magical land along with the characters. Absolutely stunning. The purposeful skill that the author has was evident on every single page. The plot seemed slow at times. I’m not sure if “slow” is the proper term to describe it either. Every event seemed to steadily add to the plot until the climatic turning point. With a 490 page book, that climax didn’t arise until near page 400. That’s a long time to wait! Was it worth the long wait? Pretty much. It helped me understand the events more and feel like I was part of the characters. Did I like the characters more because of the wait? Eh. I still stand by Steldor, sorry. Caanan, London, Haitus, and many of the other male characters in the book also tugged at my heart. They were stoic and brave. I loved them. But, for a book that juxtaposes the strength of male versus female rulers, the women in this book fell a little flat. Alera was border line irritating at times. She had these moments that were brilliant, and you could sense her inner strength. But then she would turn around and do something to unbelievable immature that I had a hard time believing she was eighteen. Storming off in the woods after your horse was taken, just to prove a point? Pretty stupid. Of course, Steldor acted pretty immature at times too with his handling of Alera’s defiant behavior. I would have enjoyed this book so much more if I had the backstory from Legacy. I appreciate that the author didn’t employ the “info dump” to fill in those gaps for people like me. That would have ruined this book. If you haven’t read Legacy, you need to do your homework before starting this one. Read the book. Read reviews. Whatever. Do something to understand the relationship between Alera, Narian, and Steldor before reading Allegiance.