Unexpected Bargain. The Missing Shield, #2

Princess Iambre of Ostravah is everything a royal heiress should be; she is the one everyone wants to be, or be with. Everyone, that is, except Iambre herself!Dark thoughts rule her life for she has a secret that her heart is not keen to let go of and it has made her an impossible version of herself - something that her friend and bodyguard, Solancei, knows only too well and has done her utmost to cover and deflect. However, as Solancei disappears under mysterious circumstances during their visit to the main seat of a dubious ally, Iambre is suddenly left with bigger issues than her own rebellious heart or what to wear for the next banquet.
Fears for her friend's life unfounded, nevertheless Iambre senses something rotten at play - but without concrete evidence, could she simply be deluding herself into seeing things that are not there? Elsewhere, Malandar - jaded Spell-Weaver and Commander of the once-all-powerful Guardians who protect the Veils of Time against an ancient, mad enemy - has awoken to a world that still bears the now 1000 year-old scars from the betrayal of a fellow Guardian. Magic lies sundered and useless, the ancient astrolabe designed to restore the Veils is missing, and so are the twins who hold the power to wield it, and with the Veils now fading, Malandar must travel like a mere mortal in effort to find the twins before the enemies of Chaos. But in Ostravah, nothing is what it was.
Danger stirs and darkness is gathering. With the future of Life itself at stake, Malandar knows he cannot afford even a single misstep - for should the Veils fail, so will the world see the return of the war that once cost him everything. Though odds of success may seem poor, yet one thing exists that could help turn the tides: a weapon of magic so powerful that it could destroy everything unless harnessed, but dare he seek it out? And has he even the luxury of choice when forced to ponder the alternative?Facing dark decisions, Malandar has little idea that fate is about to change his existence once again; nor does Iambre realise how deep she'll soon have to dig into her reserves of fortitude as her world slowly spins her on a journey of danger, discovery and truth. As the story weaves and thickens, meanwhile, Solancei awakens and finds herself imprisoned in a dark dungeon.
Seemingly caught somewhere between nightmare and reality, she has yet to discover that her trials have just begun in a game of smoke and mirrors that could cost her everything - including her own life, and Iambre's. A deeply visual, character-driven read - in 'Unexpected Bargain' continues a sweeping, epic series that explores the limits of friendship and duty, romance and darkness. Come along on a quest across nine realms; discover the concept, unravel the lyrical prose; whatever your preference - this missing person's story is inspired by multiple genres, and is underpinned by superb world building, deep intrigue, and surprisingly gritty events. Suitable for MA/NA Please note that due to the serial format, each episode ends on a cliff hanger.