Nightshade

Darion has finally been reunited with her family and the rebels who are still in hiding. But she is no longer a Rhys--she is now Mrs. Rothwell, wife of the new world leader and King, Johnny Rothwell. Johnny is willing to do everything in his power to get Darion back--but the rebels are innovative masters, and their underhanded tactics know no bounds. Every attempt is made to capture the rebels and rescue the Queen. But deep within the underground circuit is a precious network, and Darion is kept safely hidden by her kind.There is only one man who has Darion's heart and undying love--his name is Matt--and he is finally found. Being with Matt gives Darion strength and the resolve to carry on even during the most difficult of times. On the run, however, a sudden twist of fate changes the course of their lives. Darion learns that you can't hide from a Rothwell forever. They have the people's allegiance. Once you marry into the family, there is no way out. Darion comes home to a different Johnny--a man burdened by the weight of his new title. The pressure is eating away at him. He has to show himself to be a smart successor, a loving husband, and a proud future father... because everyone's suspicions are correct--Darion is carrying an heir to his throne and legacy. News of the baby inspires Johnny to be fair with Darion. In order to appease his Queen, he grants her request for a Tribunal hearing. The politics take over. A legal court hearing means the presence of the Ministers is required. This brings Leo Bowman back to Darion's Sector. He is now closer than ever to her and their love/hate relationship continues where it left off. As the trial heats up, Leo becomes an anchor for Darion. She sees a side to him she's never known existed. There are other facets of his character and she is both overwhelmed and amazed by that. Leo is clearly his father's son though, and he can use his cruelty to prove it. But Leo also has a more empathic side to him--a side that cares for sick kids who have been born into an un-sick world--a side that would never, ever hurt Darion or her baby.The trial ends and the Bowman name lives up to its reputation. Like a Trojan horse, the Bowman family enters the Empire's inner circle and gains control of the most powerful seat in the world. The attack on the Rothwell family produces a shockwave, and places the surviving heirs at risk. This doesn't bode well for Darion--as she is carrying the next Rothwell heir. Daniel Bowman's reign begins with bloodshed. Leo is the only person who is able to protect Darion from the cruel ambitions of his parents. He loves Darion--he can't legally be with her--but he loves her. He won't let anyone hurt her--even though deep down inside he knows that this will only hurt him in the end. No matter what happens, she is Johnny's wife. And Johnny has vowed to come back for everything that is his... namely his wife, his child, and his throne. Being on the run and hiding like a rebel marked for death, Johnny has used his wife's family influence to make friends. He's going to make good on his promise to overthrow the Bowman family... because now he has an army to back him--a rebel army. In the end, the very people he tried to eliminate are the ones who can help him regain his title. Nightshade is book 3 in The Rising series, following: 'The Rising', and 'Midnight Peak'.