In this debut fantasy romance, a dancer-turned-spy must decide how far she will go to secure her freedom as she plunges into a web of deception at the behest of the king she once loved—the first novel of a riveting new series.

Twenty-two-year-old Vasalie Moran, once a favorite court dancer of the king, has spent two years imprisoned for a crime she did not commit. Barely surviving the dungeon, Vasalie is wracked with pain and losing command of her body. Until suddenly, King Illian offers her a deal: become his spy at the month-long royal Gathering, and he'll grant her freedom.

But dark forces are at work within the Gathering’s halls. As Illian’s orders grow bloody and dangerous, forcing Vasalie to harm and betray those around her, she discovers the monster she serves may be aligned with a bigger monster yet, one far closer to home. Vasalie must navigate a seething pot of politics and betrayals—not to mention three rival suitors—aware that any misstep may cost her life.

With her freedom threatened, Vasalie enlists the help of Illian’s brother and greatest adversary, the King of the East, who, despite his devil-may-care reputation, proves himself to be both politically astute and surprisingly kind. As the rivalry between brothers escalates with Vasalie caught in the middle, the horrifying truth behind her past, including her imprisonment and the real reason Illian chose her as his spy, comes to light. If she wants to survive, she must decide who to trust, who to fight for, and how far she will go to keep the freedom she so desperately sought.

Brittney Arena is a passionate storyteller, crafting emotional and immersive fantasy for all kinds of readers. With a background in both brand and visual design, she has always found solace in art. However, after a challenging health journey, she turned to writing, and what began as a coping mechanism evolved into a journey of exploration, allowing her to traverse new worlds from wherever she might be. When she’s not penning tales, Brittney spends her time obsessing over k-dramas, playing with her camera, and waging war against ungodly amounts of pet hair. She currently resides in North Carolina with her husband and two pups, and is always ready for the next adventure, whether it be on page or in real life. A Dance of Lies is her debut novel.