An epic clash between gods and mortals threatens to tear Mytica apart . . . and prove that not even the purest of love stands a chance against the strongest of magic. MAGNUS and CLEO are forced to test the strength of their love when Gaius returns to Mytica claiming he's no longer the King of Blood but a changed man seeking redemption. LUCIA , pregnant with the child of a Watcher, has escaped the clutches of the unhinged fire god. Her powers are dwindling as she goes forth to fulfill a prophecy that will keep her baby safe . . . but could mean her demise.   JONAS treks back to Mytica with a plan to overtake Amara, but fate takes hold when he runs into the beautiful Princess Lucia and joins her on her perilous journey. AMARA has taken the Mytican throne, but with no way to unleash the water magic trapped within her stolen crystal, she'll never be able to seize glory and get sweet revenge. And what kind of darkness will descend--and who will be safe--after Prince Ashur reveals the dangerous price he paid to cheat death? PRAISE for the  FALLING KINGDOMS  series: "Morgan Rhodes has created a rich, living fantasy world and characters that immediately draw the reader in. This is one of those series you can't help but be obsessed with. I can't wait to see what happens next!" — Richelle Mead , #1 New York Times bestselling author of Vampire Academy and The Glittering Court   “An otherworldly epic...evocative and intricate.”— Publishers Weekly   “…You must have this book on your shelves.” — Bustle   “ Falling Kingdoms is a superbly written and character-driven narrative.” — Bookpage   “[A] YA Game of Thrones full of intrigue, betrayal, lies and love.” — The Guardian " Falling Kingdoms  will gut you emotionally. It will make you ache, cry, and beg for the sequel as you turn the last page. I absolutely loved it." — Julie Kagawa ,  New York Times  bestselling author of  The Iron Queen “In this Game of Thrones -esque high fantasy, Rhodes has created a world that’s raging with war, deceit, spoiled royals, and a populous needing little to spark a revolution.” — NPR/WAMC’s The Roundtable "From an opening dripping with blood, magic, and betrayal through complex interweaving plots detailing treachery, deceit, and forbidden love, this novel is the first in a projected series that will immediately engage readers and keep them intrigued.” — Booklist Morgan Rhodes is the  New York Times  bestselling author of the Falling Kingdoms series. Under another pen name, she's an award-winning author of more than two dozen novels. Morgan lives in Southern Ontario. Connect with her on Twitter @MorganRhodesYA or visit fallingkingdoms.com for more info. Chapter 1 JONAS—KRAESHIA        Far across the sea in Mytica, there was a golden princess Jonas wanted to save. And a god of fire he needed to destroy. However, an obstacle now stood in Jonas’s path on the Kraeshian docks, eating into time he didn’t have to waste. “I thought you said his sister killed him,” Jonas said to Nic under his breath. “She did.” Nic’s voice came out as barely more than a rasp as he raked both his hands through his messy, bright red hair. “I saw it with my own eyes.” “Then how is this possible?” “I . . . I don’t know.” Prince Ashur Cortas drew to a stop only a few paces away. He eyed both Jonas and Nic through narrowed, silvery-blue eyes that stood out against his dark tan complexion like the glinting edge of a blade at dusk. The only sounds to be heard for a few long moments were the squawk of a nearby seabird as it plunged downward to catch a fish and the gentle, steady splash of the water against the waiting Limerian ship with its black and red sails. “Nicolo,” the raven-haired prince said with a nod. “I know you must be very confused to see me again.” “I . . . I . . . what . . . ?” was Nic’s only reply. The scattering of freckles over his nose and cheeks contrasted boldly with his blanched complexion. He drew in a shaky breath. “This is impossible.” Ashur raised a dark brow at the boy, hesitating only briefly before he spoke. “In my twenty-one years of life I’ve come to realize that very little in this world is impossible.” “I watched you die .” The last word sounded as if it had been dragged painfully from Nic’s throat. “What was that? Just another lie? Another scheme? Another plan that you didn’t feel the need to tell me about?” Jonas was surprised that Nic dared to speak to a member of royalty with such insolence. Not that Jonas himself had much respect for royals, but Nic had spent enough time in the Auranian palace, side by side with its princess, to know it wasn’t wise to be this openly rude. “It was no lie. What happened at the temple was not a scheme.” Ashur swept his gaze over the Limerian ship, which was ready for imminent departure from the Jewel of the Empire’s crowded, busy docks. “I’ll explain more once we’re at sea.” Jonas’s brows went up at the prince’s comman