Illuminare

A knight, an actor, and an immortal walk into a palace. The immortal doesn’t walk out.

But that isn't Kennet Zur's intention.

What he wants is revenge. One thousand years ago, the imperial city of Masque made him bleed, and now he wants to break the blade that cut him forever. But he can't do it alone.

So, as the hourglass sands slide into the Night of the Red Lady, he sets his pawns loose. Two men. One stolen book to find. Ten centuries worth of waiting.

But just because an immortal is more certain of seeing the next dawn than anyone else, doesn't mean he knows what it will bring. And the knight and the actor have their own plans. One is driven by a war he will do anything to escape, and the other by an ambition that is drowning him wave by wave.

And watching over them all is what spilled the immortal's blood a thousand years ago. It now sits upon a throne reaching long, shadowy fingers down into the city, fingers that can still slice. And just like Kennet, it too has been waiting.

Riyria meets Medici in this epic fantasy/dark comedy mashup where a heist gone wrong on the night of an imperial city's most macabre holiday will forever change three impossibly different lives. Perfect for fans of the worldbuilding of Brandon Sanderson and the wit of Sarah KL Wilson.

Featuring—

A stoic-cinnamon roll knight
A foolhardy actor
A meddling immortal
Talking statues
Rebel versus royal
Adult but clean content
Wet canals and wetter streets
Music and illusion

This is a fantasy short novel of 51k words. It both stands on its own and is a prelude to future events. Content includes mild gore and moderate violence. Romance is limited to a disaster-meet. Contains twelve original illustrations.