Adelia Aguilar joins a royal procession carrying young Princess Joanna across a thousand miles to her wedding with the King of Sicily. The traveling party includes nobles, musicians, servants, and the legendary sword Excalibur itself. Death strikes the procession repeatedly. Suspicion falls on Adelia. Whispers of witchcraft follow her every move. Someone among the travelers watches her with deadly intent. This hidden enemy wears a perfect disguise and nurses a personal grudge. He plans Adelia's death, but first he wants her to endure prolonged torment. The accusations mount as bodies accumulate. Adelia must identify the killer before the procession destroys her. She faces execution for crimes she did not commit while the real murderer moves closer to his revenge.
Genres: historical-fiction, suspense, mystery, thriller
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, suspenseful
Tropes: amateur-sleuth, false-accusation, hidden-enemy
Setting: Sicily
Period: Medieval
Paperback · Putnam Adutlt
Content warnings: murder, violence