The Imlen Brat

<p>Stisele of Imlen knows she's in trouble but not how much. The young adopted daughter of Beltresa's sovereign longs to be a weapon in her mother's service — even against her birth family should Utroneth ask it. If only Stisele could master the temper that drives her to pepper the royal heir with petty kin-curses.</p><p><br />But Stisele's dreams are bigger than the balance of intrigues that keeps her alive and captive in this perilous royal court. She can be more than a speaker of kin-curses. She deserves a life beyond the palace islet she's never left. Her two imaginary friends if indeed that's what they are tell her so.<br /> </p><p>If Stisele is to make her own life in a world that's not ready for her she must regain the trust of wary allies. She must begin to control the power of the kin-curse — her imaginary friends are as much hindrance as help. And she will have to give up her place in the only home she's ever known.</p>