A Pact of Blood

The Royal Spares, Book 2

De: Eva Chase

Narrado por: Meg Sylvan, Aaron Shedlock

The trials are over. The game has only just begun...

I came to Dariu to win a husband—and an empire. I wasn't prepared for that husband to be so set in his brutal ways, for his people to see our marriage as a bad omen... or for my heart to be aching for three princes I can't have.

I can't afford to let any of those problems stop me. My kingdom is counting on me, and all the conquered countries of the empire need my help. I'll win the respect of every skeptic and enemy, no matter what dangers I have to face.

But when rebellion stirs in one of the outer kingdoms and my husband starts taking out his fury on the men I hold dearest, I'm not sure how much more sacrifice I can bear. To bring about the peace I've dreamed of, must I wage my own private war against the man I swore to serve?

*A Pact of Blood is the second book in a new fantasy romance series with a sizzling enemies-to-lovers romance, smoldering morally grey men, and a determined heroine they'll regret underestimating. There are more books to come.*

Note: This book contains a scene of attempted SA by the villain.

©2024 Eva Chase (P)2025 Eva Chase

Still a fave series... need more!

Obviously HAD TO read this one, after book one was so incredible.

One thing I still love and perpetually admire about this series is the design of the female lead—it’s like watching a master-manipulator at work, from the inside. Only … her intentions aren’t selfish or nefarious, there’s not really narcissism. She’s masterfully designed, as is the world in which she lives.

It’s full of delicious scheming, royal (lethal) politics, and absolutely demented ruler, and some of the most epic world-building I’ve encountered. Throw in trials, the highest stakes possible, a bit of magic, and some SA and … well, have I already said ‘delicious’?

The ‘twist’ wasn’t surprising to me but it definitely made things even more interesting. I cannot wait for book 3!

Excellent!
4 stars.


🎧 Audio:
Absolutely beautiful audio production—and flawless. 5 stars

Took a bit to get into

It took me a bit of time to get into book 2 but then was suck in deep.
The ending wasn’t a surprise but looking forward to see where book 3 takes the story line.

enjoyed

I am loving this series. If you have read any of this authors series you know you're going to be sucked into a well written adventure.

What an Ending

This second book picks up where A Game of Veils left off, with the Emperor dead and Aurelia facing the realities of being married to the new Emperor Marclinus. They set off on a series of trials and rites intended to prove their worthiness to rule Dariu. But it's hardly fair, as Marclinus is fully prepared whilst Aurelia is going in blind or with some aid from princes, Raul, Lorenzo and Bastien, whom she manages to convince to aid her.

Aurelia and the princes’ relationship continues to deepen throughout this book despite the trials they are forced to face. If you enjoyed the first book, you'll love this one, especially the twist thrown in at the end!

I look forward to finding out more in the third book.

The narration is excellent, Meg Sylvan and Aaron Shedlock are so good at bringing these characters and the story to life.

Can’t wait to see what is next

I am really enjoying this series. The FMC and the MMC’s are wonderfully written especially to understand their real thoughts. The narrators are excellent and really bring the characters to life. I cannot wait to continue this series.

Couldn’t stop listening

This is an amazing series with fantastic characters and a very good storyline it has magic and an intense political atmosphere that is simply incredible

Mind blown

Let me be clear: this book is not “nice.” It is not tender. It is not a warm hug of romance.
It is a feral, glittering beast of a story — seductive, maddening, and utterly addictive. Like biting into something decadent, only to find it’s laced with poison — and realizing you kind of love the burn.

From page one, it’s pure escapism — the kind where everyone’s emotionally wrecked, morally compromised, and probably lying through their teeth. There’s a barely-there wisp of romance (don’t come here for the swoon), but there is heat — chaotic, hungry, power-play heat that dances on the edge of obsession. And honestly? I ate it up.

Aurelia floats at the center like a storm — untouchable, enigmatic, and never really connecting with anyone. And maybe that’s the point? It’s not about love. It’s about survival, fantasy, control — and slipping into a world where nothing makes sense but everything feels electric.

And then… the ending.

What. Was. That.

I have never wanted to launch a book into the sun more than I did in those final pages. I was LIVID. Like, screaming in my head, pacing the room, betrayal-in-every-cell kind of livid. It wasn’t just a twist — it was emotional sabotage. A slap in the face after seduction. Did I throw my Kindle? Maybe. Do I regret it? No.

And yet — here’s the madness — I am still, somehow, a devoted Marclinus stan. This man? A disaster. A menace. A red flag parade. And yet… I’d follow him off a cliff. (Or, at minimum, into the next book, even though I swore I wouldn’t.)

This book messed with my head in the best and worst ways. It’s toxic. It’s twisted. It’s so good it hurts.

And I need more.
Send help. Or book two. Probably both.

pact of blood

I really enjoyed the whole storyline. This book pulled me right in. this is book 2 of the series. The narrators did an awesome job.