Los Cielos (Electronic book text)

Lita is a thoroughly modern young woman at the turn of the 20th century, a Suffragist, living with her scholarly guardians. The uppercrust society of New York would be shocked to learn she is a princess without a throne, heir to a tiny, devastated kingdom in the Pyrenees, between Spain and France. Ancient curses and prophecies haunt her plans for her future, and duty commands when her betrothed, Prince Esteban, summons her to Los Cielos. He has found the missing Key of prophecy, and the time has come to restore the ancient water source and return life to their kingdom. Lita has prepared for this all her life, and even though she would prefer not to marry a complete stranger, she has no choice but to obey. Eduardo, Esteban's younger brother, is tasked with watching over Lita, and is startled when she takes the next ship out of New York. He follows her, and as they establish a shipboard friendship and their lives are threatened by enemies of Los Cielos, they learn all is not as it appears. Esteban has lied to them, giving them conflicting orders, and is most likely enemy to them both. They decide their best chance of survival is to remove the curse, restore life to Los Cielos, and avoid Esteban altogether. But the Black Monks, mysterious and magical guardians of Los Cielos and the royal family, have other plans for Lita and Eduardo.