Tales from the Gemstone Kingdoms

Every Winter Solstice, the Emerald Kingdom sends the dreaded Ice King a sacrifice-a corrupt soul, a criminal, a deviant, or someone touched by magic. Prince Reardon has always loathed this tradition, partly because he dreams of love with another man instead of a future queen. Then Reardon's best friend is discovered as a witch and sent to the Frozen Kingdom as tribute. Reardon sets out to rescue him, willing to battle and kill the Ice King if that's what it takes. But nothing could prepare him for what he finds in the Frozen Kingdom-a cursed land filled with magic . . . and a camaraderie Reardon has never known. Over this strange, warm community presides the enigmatic Ice King, a man his subjects call Jack. A man with skin made of ice, whose very touch can stop a beating heart. A man Reardon finds himself inexplicably drawn to. Jack doesn't trust Reardon. But when Reardon begins spending long days with him, vowing to prove himself and break the curse, Jack begins to hope. Can love and forgiveness melt the ice around the king's cold heart?

Created by the alchemist Braxton, Levi was "born" fully grown and spends his early days learning about the monster-filled kingdom he calls home. Even though he is just a construct pieced together from cloned parts, Levi longs to fit in with his mythical neighbors, but more than that, he wishes he could say two words to the Shadow King without stuttering. Ashmedai has been king of what was once the Amethyst Kingdom since it was cursed a thousand years ago. Only he and Braxton know what truly happened the night of the curse, and Ash's secret makes walking among his beloved people painful, so he rarely leaves his castle. However, with Festival Day approaching, Ash wouldn't mind going out more often . . . if it means seeing more of Levi. Ash wishes he deserved the longing looks from those strangely familiar violet eyes. He knows no one could love him after learning the truth of the curse. But if anyone can change his mind, it is the sweetly stitched young man who looks at him like he hung the moon.

When Prince Nemirac learns of his heritage, he vows to become the most powerful demon in history. But he can't do it alone. Feeling betrayed by his parents' lies about his true lineage, Nemirac embarks on a quest to visit all five Gemstone Kingdoms and drain the stones of their power to ascend as a new being. But until he obtains that magic, he's vulnerable. Enter Janskoller the warrior bard. Janskoller has just returned to the Gemstone Kingdoms, drawn by stories of broken curses and lands open for travel. He doesn't expect a pretty young mage to hire him as a bodyguard, but it's a good gig for a bard-lots of adventure to fuel his stories, and plenty of travel to spread his fame. Besides, Nemirac's passion and obvious secrets intrigue him. But soon Janskoller realizes the peril of Nemirac's goal-an end that puts the five kingdoms at risk and corrupts Nemirac into a darker, twisted version of the man Janskoller comes to care about. As the two grow closer, can Janskoller convince Nemirac to abandon his pursuit of power in favor of the deeper, more lasting magic of love?

Brilliant inventor Enzo Dragonbane has plenty to hide, including his secret identity as the recently deceased Ruby King's bastard son. But he isn't half as mysterious as Cullen, the half-elf Enzo finds buried in the depths of the kingdom's caverns. Cullen doesn't know who he is or how he got to the land of dwarves, and he certainly doesn't know anything about his strange shadow powers. Memories and magic or not, however, he is about to be swept up in the Ruby Kingdom's brewing civil war. The Ashen, a resistance group made up of the exploited lower class, is poised to take advantage of the power vacuum left by the king's death. Soon Enzo and Cullen find themselves in the midst of a revolution. As they untangle Cullen's past, they discover they have much in common, but if they are to have any hope of a peaceful courtship, they will have to discover the secrets of controlling Cullen's abilities, take sides in the coming fight, and face up to the truth of who they really are.