The Stories of Nether and Mandria Series by Deborah Chester

The throne was her destiny-until Princess Pheresa lost her groom, Mandria's heir, to the dark magic. Now her fate is uncertain. Her enemies are strong. And her only ally is the last man she would ever choose-and the one man she should never love.

Pheresa, rightful Queen of Mandria, is ready to claim her crown and her destiny. But when a deadly mist fills the cathedral, and Pheresa vanishes, only Sir Talmor, her sworn protector, can find and save her--by revealing the magical powers that will bring scorn upon him.

For twelve years, King Faldain and his warrior-wife, Queen Alexeika, have sought the Chieftain--and the evil sorceress behind him--who killed their son the day barbarians attacked the palace. Now Dain, suffering from a powerful, life-threatening curse, struggles homeward to be saved by the Chalice of Life. But he is about to be betrayed by one closer than he could ever imagine.