PRAISE FOR SARA ELLA
“Unblemished may have set the stage, but Unraveling will forever bind you to this story like a Kiss of Accord. Sara Ella’s exquisite writing left me gasping at new revelations and re-reading whole chapters just because. Unraveling is a sequel that outshines its already brilliant predecessor. Read it. Now. Then come fangirl with me.”
—NADINE BRANDES, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE OUT OF TIME TRILOGY
“With plenty of YA crossover appeal, this engaging and suspenseful debut urban fantasy features superb world building and a tightly paced story line. Reading groups will find plenty to discuss concerning self-image, the nature of good vs. evil, and the power of the marginalized to change the world.”
—LIBRARY JOURNAL, STARRED REVIEW FOR UNBLEMISHED
“Sara Ella’s debut novel is a stunning journey into a fascinating new world of reflections. Intricately plotted, the story is complex, but not difficult to follow. Eliyana is a strong heroine, yet also has a vulnerable side that readers will definitely identify with. The other characters are also well-developed and have many hidden secrets revealed throughout the course of the tale . . . It will be fascinating to see where the author takes the characters next.”
—RT BOOK REVIEWS, 4½ STARS, TOP PICK! FOR UNBLEMISHED
“Ella has created a captivating, relatable protagonist and never hesitates as she keeps things moving briskly through the many twists and turns.”
—PUBLISHERS WEEKLY FOR UNBLEMISHED
“A breathtaking fantasy set in an extraordinary fairy-tale world, with deceptive twists and an addictively adorable cast who are illusory to the end. Just when I thought I’d figured each out, Sara Ella sent me for another ride. A wholly original story, Unblemished begins as a sweet melody and quickly becomes an anthem of the heart. And I’m singing my soul out. Fans of Once upon a Time and Julie Kagawa, brace yourselves.”
—MARY WEBER, AWARD-WINNING AUTHOR OF THE STORM SIREN TRILOGY
“Lyrically written and achingly romantic—Unblemished will tug your heartstrings!”
—MELISSA LANDERS, AUTHOR OF ALIENATED, INVADED, AND STARFLIGHT
“Self-worth and destiny collide in this twisty-turny fantasy full of surprise and heart. Propelled into a world she knows nothing about, Eliyana learns that the birthmark she despises is not quite the superficial curse she thought it was—it’s worse, and the mark comes with a heavy responsibility. Can she face her reflection long enough to be the hero her new friends need? With charm and wit, author Sara Ella delivers Unblemished, a magical story with a compelling message and a unique take on the perils of Central Park.”
—SHANNON DITTEMORE, AUTHOR OF THE ANGEL EYES TRILOGY
“Unblemished is an enchanting, beautifully written adventure with a pitch-perfect blend of fantasy, realism, and romance. Move this one to the top of your TBR pile and clear your schedule—you won’t want to put it down!”
—LORIE LANGDON, AUTHOR OF THE AMAZON BESTSELLING DOON SERIES
“Unblemished had me from the first chapter—mystery, romance, and mind-blowing twists and turns that I so did not see coming! The worlds Sara Ella builds are complex and seamless; the characters she creates are beautifully flawed. Readers are sure to love this book and finish it, as I did, begging for more!”
—KRISTA McGEE, AUTHOR OF THE ANOMALY TRILOGY
Sara Ella
Unraveling
For my editor, Becky Monds—Because when this story was unraveling, you helped me make it whole.
Whence I fell, he left me there.
Lost, nay abandoned; what did he care?
I needed him; away he flew.
I loved him so; he ne’er knew.
When I revealed my soul, my heart,
He turned away; I watched him part.
Without him now, darkness descends.
Where it begins, my light does end.
Prelude
I’m not ready for this.
My shoulder is going to rip from its socket. My bicep is a torch, igniting my forearm. His fingers are sliding from mine, and I can’t hold on any longer. All I see is the gorge below, the beads of sweat dewing his temples.
He shouts, “Hold on!”
But the cliff crumbles with each passing blink. If we remain this way, we’ll both be swallowed by the chasm below.
I loosen my grip, my clammy palm slipping.
His eyes plead. Beg. Implore. “Don’t!” His cry echoes.
The river crashes and curls. Waiting to swallow. Devour. Obliterate anything entering its territory. But it isn’t the river I’m afraid of. It’s the black hole beyond it. The beginning of the end.
I know if we disconnect he might be lost forever. “I love you” is what I want to say. Instead I ask him, “Find me?”
His expression corkscrews, a mask of raw emotion. “Always.” His voice is weak, his energy drained. He’s not strong enough. Because of me.
So my fingers splay.
I let go.
ACT I
What Once Was Mine
ONE
Gleam and Glow
Gasp. Ugh. Crud. Drat. Blerg. “Crowe!”
The Second Reflection curse spews from my mouth as I spring from the cushy armchair in the most deserted corner of the castle library. Books and journals fall from my lap and crash to the hardwood floor. My insides cringe. Mom would have a fit if she knew I abandoned a pile of precious tomes lying open-faced and underfoot. But the clock on the wall behind me warns I’m beyond late.
Of all the days to fall asleep studying. What a way to begin the first day of the rest of my life.
I hop on one foot and then the other in my classic dance to get my Converse on. I almost—but don’t quite—trip over the book mound. Then I’m lifting the skirt of my now-wrinkled taffeta gown and sprinting from the library. No time to run to my suite and exchange my footwear for something more appropriate. At least I’m in my dress already. Thank the Verity it’s too late to change into the shoes Mom selected. High heels, I’m convinced, are a creation of the Void and intended only to torture my poor unfortunate soles.
The white-walled halls are abandoned and my muted steps amp my anxiety. Is this what getting cold feet feels like? My face burns and then freezes. My ears ring and my chest just might explode. I need to get out more. All these late nights perusing tomes older than Beethoven’s Fifth may be getting me closer to my goal, but the downside is I’m totally out of shape. The farther I run, the louder my heart pounds because—oh crud—everyone is already in the throne room.