Book Extract: The Throne of Ash by Lissy Porter

It’s a pleasure to be welcoming Lissy Porter to Novel Kicks and the blog blitz for their latest book, The Throne of Ash. 

The Throne of Ash – A thrilling Tudor-esque fantasy with all the deceit, politics and Courtly romance of the Tudor era

A Queen. A Princess. And a Consort who must be chosen to ensure the future of the Throne of Ash.

The Queen’s Face masks all—even the woman who wears it. None may see her without it, not even her Consort responsible for ensuring she brings forth a healthy daughter to succeed her. If he fails, being cast aside is the most favourable of outcomes.

When Queen Cecily unknowingly determines on her sister’s lover as her Consort, ambition, jealousy, and the demands of courtly etiquette threaten the stability of the Throne of Ash.

Princess Bess knows only too well her responsibilities towards her sister, the queen, but when one of the powerful noble Houses attempts to ensnare both sisters with one lover, there can only ever be one winner.

The Throne of Ash is a Tudor-esque fantasy in which women rule, and men are kept in the background, of little use, except when a Consort must be chosen. Then, court intrigues, and politics come to the fore in a deadly game of politics and etiquette that sets sister against sister.

Lissy has shared an extract with us today. We hope you enjoy. 

*****beginning of extract*****

In this excerpt we see Princess Elizabeth painting her sister, Queen Cecily, for a royal portrait. The queen has been absent from court for some days, following the revelation her Consort might not be who he seems to be.

The next time I see the queen, she greets me regally. If her expression, behind the Queen’s Face, is more rigid than usual, I hardly blame her. There have been no court appointments for three days. In that time she’s kept herself within her apartment, and now appears before everyone once more in the Queen’s Hall.

Unwillingly, I admit she’s played her hand well. In her finery she wishes to be painted wearing, she looks every inch the rightful and regal queen of Ash. No matter the swell of her belly, which she doesn’t so much hide as obscure beneath her gown, she presents herself as perfectly in command and above reproach.

Rumours regarding the likely outcome of Lady Alice’s fate are running like fire throughout the palace. All believe she’ll be executed. Few have anything good to say for her, although Lady Mary assures me there are many who are worried about the full accounting the queen has ordered. It appears, the House of Fish weren’t alone in pretending children belonged to them when they didn’t. Not, of course, that any can debate the legitimacy of the claims of me and the queen. We were acknowledged at birth by my grandmother, who witnessed our arrival into the world, if not our creation. For which I’m quite grateful. I imagine my mother and father were as well. Now, I’m pleased my grandmother was so assiduous in performing her duties.

Diligently, I return to my task. The screen continues to surround me so no one can watch me work, even while the queen makes her visible return to the court. All have been told to be quiet, and there’s a shush but not absolute silence. No doubt, they gossip beneath their breath hoping I won’t hear the details. Usually Lady Mary would be at my side, but I realise she’s left me, no doubt to assess the consensus amongst the noble Houses.

Quickly, I manage to ignore all voices and whispers, so absorbed in my work. It seems to me, it’s now even more imperative the queen is depicted in all the finery of the Queen of Ash. Perhaps, I realise, I might need to reconsider my depiction of her eyes. Maybe she won’t welcome being revealed as a woman but only as the queen.

I’ve finally managed to correctly recreate the indigo blue of the queen’s gown and purple of her planket. Now I work to ensure the embroidery is perfectly reproduced, as are the symbols of her position.

The queen, it must be said, is a good sitter. She hardly moves, and when she does, it’s often only to be brought a quick drink. When the queen eventually indicates she’s had enough for the day, I stand back, rubbing my hands on a piece of linen, and appreciate she’s been sitting for much of the day. I’ve recreated a great deal, and indeed, I might only need her for a short time more to complete the project.

‘Your grace,’ I call to her as she means to leave the Queen’s Hall. ‘You’re most welcome to see what I’ve done so far.’ This stops Queen Cecily. She knows I don’t like to show off my work before it’s almost completed. Pausing momentarily, she sweeps towards me, banishing all others from attending. Lady Mary has returned to my side, and she bows low, while I move aside for the queen to look.

I don’t watch her as she assesses my work. I’ve learned not to do so. People will always have an immediate response, and then will either come to appreciate their portraits or announce they’re terrible and have no likeness to them at all. Queen Cecily is immobile. I sense those all around, although unable to see, wait to see what the queen will pronounce.

‘My thanks,’ she offers softly, and now I look towards her and see fire in her familiar eyes. She inclines her head towards me, and is quickly on her way. As soon as she’s left the hall, there’s a hum of conversation, and I notice the queen has instructed the Royal Guards to ensure none can see her portrait.

*****end of extract*****

About Lissy Porter –

Lissy Porter is a pseudonym for an author who usually writes in a very different genre.

Say hello to Lissy via their website, Instagram and Bluesky. 

The Throne of Ash was released on 1st May. Click to buy on Amazon UK, Waterstones and Amazon US. 

by

Laura

I’m Laura. I started Novel Kicks in 2009. I wanted a place to post my writing as well as give other writers like me the opportunity to do the same. There is also a monthly book club, a writing room which features writing prompts, book reviews, competitions, author interviews and guest posts.

I grew up by the sea (my favourite place in the world) and I currently live in Hampshire. I am married to Chris, have a cat named Buddy and I would love to be a writer. I’m trying to write the novel I’ve talked so much about writing if only I could stop pressing delete. I’ve loved writing since creative writing classes in primary school. I have always wanted to see my teacher Miss Sayers again and thank her for the encouragement. When not trying to write the novel or writing snippets of stories on anything I can get my hands on, I love reading, dancing like a loon and singing to myself very badly. My current obsession is Once Upon a Time and I would be happy to live with magic in the enchanted forest surrounded by all those wonderful stories provided that world also included Harry Potter. I love reading chick lit. contemporary fiction and novels with mystery.