Elara_Blake

Writing time!
          
          I'm currently sitting at my desk, editing the next batch of chapters with black tea and way too many biscuits. When do you usually read new updates: early morning, mid-afternoon, or 2 AM under the covers when you should definitely be sleeping?

Talia’s Husband Hunt 😂
          
          Talia announcing she’s going to find a husband with the same enthusiasm someone has for cleaning out a horse stall had me giggling as I wrote it. Who do we think is currently sweating more: Dorian, or every eligible bachelor in the capital?

Greodour vs. Blackfrost 🏰
           
          - Greodour: marble, perfumed silks, secret poisons, fake smiles.  
          - Blackfrost: obsidian stone, ten-foot walls, woodsmoke, bitter frost.  
          
          If you had to survive a year in one of them, which castle are you picking?

Question of the Week: High Fantasy Tropes 📖
          
          Let’s settle this: what’s your absolute favourite fantasy trope?
          
          - 1. Grumpy x Grumpy  
          - 2. Forced proximity in a deadly royal court  
          - 3. ‘Who did this to you?’  
          - 4. Political marriage / husband-hunting schemes  
          
          (No spoilers, but you might find all four packed into this book...)

Okay, real talk: how is everyone feeling after that Prologue? I know, I know, introducing Mica just to break your heart was cruel, but Talia’s survival instincts had to be forged in iron. Drop a 🕯️ in the comments to pay respects to the village of the North.

Welcome to the world of Valdris! To everyone adding Poisoned to their reading lists today, Welcome! If you’re here for a scarred, dangerous heroine who takes zero nonsense and a dark, brooding prince who watches her like she’s a puzzle he can’t solve... you’re in the right place. Where is everyone reading from today?

Hey,
          How are you?

Important Update: A Fresh Start for the Book!
          
          Hey everyone,
          
          First, thank you so much for reading my story; your support means the world to me!
          
          Over the past few weeks, I've been doing some extensive rewriting and developmental editing to make this story the best it can be. As part of this overhaul, I've merged chapters, trimmed pacing, added brand-new scenes, and officially updated the title and book cover.
          
          Because these changes are so substantial, I will be retiring The Northern Sword  version and launching the revised, polished version as a brand-new version:
          
          
          
          POISONED - The Alador Series
          
          
          
          Here is what you need to know:
          
          Immediate Reading: Since 19 chapters are already live here, the first 19 revised chapters will be published on the new version page right away so you won't lose your place. However, because some chapters merged, the old chapter 19 is now chapter 17. Also, we have a new flashback chapter for chapter 16!
          
          Future Updates: Starting today, all brand-new chapters will be published exclusively on the new version.
          
          Timeline: This current version will remain available for the next three weeks so everyone has time to transition over, after which it will be archived/removed.
          
          This version is more edited but still under a lot of work. That said, I have begun working on the draft of Book 2!
          
          I hope you all take a look at the story in its more refined form. Thank you again for being on this journey with me!
          
          
          
          Head over to the new version, and happy reading!
          
          — Elara Blake