Reign of Resurgence: The Ruse (Kingdom of Destiny Book 4)

By Andi Neal

The Ruse is the fourth episode of Reign of Resurgence, the first thrilling volume of the Kingdom of Destiny series. Kingdom of Destiny is a fantasy thriller short story series that will feature three volumes.

Kingdom of Destiny:
A recent college graduate finds himself in an alternate world he never knew existed. Dealing with castles, kings, and betrayal, he will have to use his considerable wits if he is going to face his fate in the Kingdom of Destiny.

Reign of Resurgence:
Struggling at a crossroads in his life, Tristan has no idea who or what he wants to be. Until he is mysteriously thrown into the baffling but extraordinary kingdom of Barico. When a sudden and unexpected battle for the crown propels the kingdom into turmoil, Tristan finds himself uniquely qualified to aid the royal family in their Reign of Resurgence.

The Ruse:
Hindered by a serious injury, Tristan must rely on his faithful friends Ryder and Xander to fight for him. Digging into his limited knowledge for any solution to the siege looming over Rowen, he determines to hold at any cost.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Andi Neal
• Release date: Feb 2, 2016
• ISBN: 9781311773906

Andi Neal

Andi Neal grew up as an avid reader and devoured books of all genres in her younger years. Finding her passion for writing in college, she was drawn to the fast paced plots and daring, enthusiastic characters that drive her novels today. Her debut novel, Unraveled, began her trademark style of thrilling action and adventure.

Book preview

REIGN OF RESURGENCE:

The Ruse

ANDI NEAL

Reign of Resurgence: The Ruse

Copyright 2016 Andi Neal

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in the critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Cover Design by Andi Neal

Table of Contents

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Preview of Reign of Resurgence: Checkmate

About Andi Neal

Dedicated to Joseph, a genuinely extraordinary young man. May you always let your heart guide you, for it beats strong and true.

Chapter One

Tristan groaned as he came to. He felt a cool hand on his brow. It brushed over his forehead and trailed into his hair. Sharp, throbbing pain in his arm and leg snapped him out of the thick fog that hovered over his brain. The hand came back to his forehead and stroked again.

When he finally managed to open his eyes, he found himself staring into worried, forest green eyes. A sigh of relief blew from between her lips. Tristan, she whispered his name as the tension she’d held for hours released. She leaned forward, resting her forehead on his chest.

When she sat back up, her hand replaced her head on his chest. You are all right. You are safe, she murmured, more for her benefit than his.

He tried to sit up, then groaned. Oh, ouch, no.

Please don’t, Shaylin begged as she placed a restraining hand on his good shoulder. Then she framed his face in her hands. The concern in her eyes leapt out at him. Lie still.

Tristan relaxed back and stared at her. Shaylin, he murmured, confusion clear on his face. What happened?

You were wounded, she told him. Her cool hand rested on his cheek. Your fever broke only an hour ago.

Tristan glanced at his bandaged arm. Then his head fell back as it all came flooding back. Ahh, he groaned.

He was in Barico, a mysterious land that was under attack from within its own borders. A land he had no idea how he’d come to be in. He had taken refuge along with the royal family in a duke’s castle. And that castle was under siege by the man who had killed the king of Barico.

He tried to sit up again as the last part shot through his brain. The battle?

Please, she begged again. Do not worry about that now. She held him down easily as he was so weak. You have lost much blood. Do not rise. You must rest.

Still staring into Shaylin’s eyes, Tristan took a deep breath against the agonizing jabs in his arm and leg. One of the guys stabbed me in the leg.

I know, Shaylin’s fingers trailed into his hair and brushed it back from his face. Lie still now.

Xander and Ryder? The battle? Are we holding?

Shaylin fretted over his rising anxiety. Shh. We are holding. She tried to keep her hands light and comforting. You must rest now, she told him again.

His head turned on the pillow as his heart thudded in his chest. He remembered the enemy clambering up the ladders. There had been some that had reached the top of their defensive wall.