What would you risk to prove you belong –
Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?
Your life? Your freedom? Or the fate of a kingdom?
by L.J. Evias
Genre: YA Epic Fantasy, Swords & Sorcery
She’s young, gifted, and desperate to prove she belongs. But some lessons come with a cost.
Torvia has one goal: to earn her place as a royal guard and repay the prince who saved her life. But despite her powerful magic, the prince refuses to send her into danger, and the princess wants her in court.
Everyone has a plan for Torvia’s future. None of them match her own.
So when a charming older boy offers secret lessons and a chance to escape her overprotective guardian, Torvia is tempted. He’s clever. He listens. And the magic he shows her is unlike anything she’s seen before.
But every step she takes draws her further from the path she planned – and one wrong move could cost her the mission, her future, and the prince who’s counting on her.
The Cost of Magic is a dark coming-of-age prequel to The Intrigue of Magic, a young adult epic fantasy series, perfect for readers who crave fierce heroines, tangled loyalties, and the high price of choosing your own path.
Start The Cost of Magic today and discover how one girl’s ambition can change the fate of a kingdom.
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First duel with a northerner
“Good morning, my lady. Are you ready to practise some magic?” Clearly enjoying the attention, Ramin dipped into an elegant bow.
Pushing away her half-eaten breakfast, Torvia jumped up from the table. Levan had departed with Ademir, but Charla was in the next room, and could still argue with Ramin’s plan. “Do we have somewhere to practise?”
Ramin bobbed his head. “We have a room several floors down.”
As predicted, Ramin’s voice brought Charla out. A frown formed on her face as she focused on him. Torvia’s heart stopped. Would she remember?
“Yes? What do you want?”
Ramin bowed deeply. “The king offers the use of an empty room for Zeela to practise her magic.”
Charla drew a finger along her lip. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Without hesitation, Ramin assumed the perfect imitation of confusion. “Prince Ademir requested it himself.”
Losing her patience with Charla, Torvia put her hands on her hips. “I’m here to study, aren’t I? I can’t practice in here.”
“I’ll come with you then.”
“You don’t need to. I’ll be in the palace.”
Charla strapped a sword to her side – a pointless object in a place like this. “I must. Ademir has entrusted me with your safety.”
Rolling her eyes, Torvia turned to Ramin. “Lead the way.”
As big as their entire guard chambers, their practice room was devoid of furniture, aside from a faceless wooden mannequin. The navy walls and gold border suggested this room had seen far more peaceful functions. Torvia glanced doubtfully at the finely embroidered silk curtains. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be using fire.
Unconcerned, Ramin swept into the centre of the room as Charla leaned against the wall, watching him with suspicious eyes. “Shall we see what you’re capable of first?” With an exaggerated flourish, Ramin adopted a combative stance. “Well?”
“You want me to attack you?”
Ramin’s shoulders dropped. “Do they not duel in the south?”
“Not like this.” It had taken years of special training before she was allowed to cast spells at people, and only at those with similar training. Ramin knew nothing of her abilities, nor she his. What if she hurt him and got kicked out of the palace?
“I see. Can you cast fire?”
Torvia snorted. “Every mage can cast fire.”
“Then cast fire at me.” A smirk lifted the corner of his lip. “Don’t worry, you won’t be able to hurt me.”
Mildly irked, Torvia flicked her wrist and sped a fireball at him. The whirling conflagration crashed into his shield with a bright flash, fizzled out, and shot sparks across the room. With a little concentration, she summoned the fire back into life and wrapped flame around Ramin’s sapphire shield, engulfing him completely.
“Good, but you’ll have to try something else to penetrate my shield.”
His calm tone getting the better of her, Torvia struck with crimson lightning, pummelling his shield over and over, but still it held.
His magic was strong. Annoyingly strong.
As she took a breath, Ramin looked at her curiously. “Rumour has it the Royal Mage used crimson lightning before learning to refine it.” He ducked another of her strikes, but couldn’t shake the fire.
“To defeat a shield, you need a different spell.” As the blaze fizzed away, Ramin sent a dark cloud towards her, drifting slowly through the air. Smokey wisps reached out and clung to her shield. The sapphire wall dimmed and flickered, straining her magic. In places, the darkness seeped through.
Her blood running cold, she focused on strengthening the gaps, but tiny slithers had already slipped through and latched onto her skin like cool kisses, draining away her magic. Numbness spread wherever the wisps touched. She gasped, until tendrils wound around her neck.
The sensation was not pleasant, but not as horrifying as the thought that she might be defeated. Her first duel with a northerner and she was losing.
Heat coursed through her and she let it free, dropping her shield so the blaze could burn away the cloud. The inferno carried on, slamming into Ramin and hurling him against the far wall with a loud thump.
Charla laughed and slid down into a sitting position, finally accepting that Torvia was not in need of rescuing.
Staggering upright, Ramin straightened his tunic. “Prince Ademir was correct. You do possess impressive magic. With the right training and improved spells, you could be a formidable mage.”
Charla snorted. “She already is.”
“It will take more than a lucky spell to defeat a fully trained mage. And that spell must have cost you much of your energy.”
Torvia pursed her lips. She felt fine. And perfectly ready to do it again.
“Good morning, my lady. Are you ready to practise some magic?” Clearly enjoying the attention, Ramin dipped into an elegant bow.
Pushing away her half-eaten breakfast, Torvia jumped up from the table. Levan had departed with Ademir, but Charla was in the next room, and could still argue with Ramin’s plan. “Do we have somewhere to practise?”
Ramin bobbed his head. “We have a room several floors down.”
As predicted, Ramin’s voice brought Charla out. A frown formed on her face as she focused on him. Torvia’s heart stopped. Would she remember?
“Yes? What do you want?”
Ramin bowed deeply. “The king offers the use of an empty room for Zeela to practise her magic.”
Charla drew a finger along her lip. “That’s the first I’ve heard of it.”
Without hesitation, Ramin assumed the perfect imitation of confusion. “Prince Ademir requested it himself.”
Losing her patience with Charla, Torvia put her hands on her hips. “I’m here to study, aren’t I? I can’t practice in here.”
“I’ll come with you then.”
“You don’t need to. I’ll be in the palace.”
Charla strapped a sword to her side – a pointless object in a place like this. “I must. Ademir has entrusted me with your safety.”
Rolling her eyes, Torvia turned to Ramin. “Lead the way.”
As big as their entire guard chambers, their practice room was devoid of furniture, aside from a faceless wooden mannequin. The navy walls and gold border suggested this room had seen far more peaceful functions. Torvia glanced doubtfully at the finely embroidered silk curtains. Hopefully, they wouldn’t be using fire.
Unconcerned, Ramin swept into the centre of the room as Charla leaned against the wall, watching him with suspicious eyes. “Shall we see what you’re capable of first?” With an exaggerated flourish, Ramin adopted a combative stance. “Well?”
“You want me to attack you?”
Ramin’s shoulders dropped. “Do they not duel in the south?”
“Not like this.” It had taken years of special training before she was allowed to cast spells at people, and only at those with similar training. Ramin knew nothing of her abilities, nor she his. What if she hurt him and got kicked out of the palace?
“I see. Can you cast fire?”
Torvia snorted. “Every mage can cast fire.”
“Then cast fire at me.” A smirk lifted the corner of his lip. “Don’t worry, you won’t be able to hurt me.”
Mildly irked, Torvia flicked her wrist and sped a fireball at him. The whirling conflagration crashed into his shield with a bright flash, fizzled out, and shot sparks across the room. With a little concentration, she summoned the fire back into life and wrapped flame around Ramin’s sapphire shield, engulfing him completely.
“Good, but you’ll have to try something else to penetrate my shield.”
His calm tone getting the better of her, Torvia struck with crimson lightning, pummelling his shield over and over, but still it held.
His magic was strong. Annoyingly strong.
As she took a breath, Ramin looked at her curiously. “Rumour has it the Royal Mage used crimson lightning before learning to refine it.” He ducked another of her strikes, but couldn’t shake the fire.
“To defeat a shield, you need a different spell.” As the blaze fizzed away, Ramin sent a dark cloud towards her, drifting slowly through the air. Smokey wisps reached out and clung to her shield. The sapphire wall dimmed and flickered, straining her magic. In places, the darkness seeped through.
Her blood running cold, she focused on strengthening the gaps, but tiny slithers had already slipped through and latched onto her skin like cool kisses, draining away her magic. Numbness spread wherever the wisps touched. She gasped, until tendrils wound around her neck.
The sensation was not pleasant, but not as horrifying as the thought that she might be defeated. Her first duel with a northerner and she was losing.
Heat coursed through her and she let it free, dropping her shield so the blaze could burn away the cloud. The inferno carried on, slamming into Ramin and hurling him against the far wall with a loud thump.
Charla laughed and slid down into a sitting position, finally accepting that Torvia was not in need of rescuing.
Staggering upright, Ramin straightened his tunic. “Prince Ademir was correct. You do possess impressive magic. With the right training and improved spells, you could be a formidable mage.”
Charla snorted. “She already is.”
“It will take more than a lucky spell to defeat a fully trained mage. And that spell must have cost you much of your energy.”
Torvia pursed her lips. She felt fine. And perfectly ready to do it again.
A world ruled by magic. A palace full of secrets. A girl who refuses to back down.
Seventeen-year-old Alice Harper had her future mapped out—win an archery scholarship, protect her friends, and stay in control. But when a portal hurls her into a kingdom where magic rules and obedience means survival, she lands in a palace gripped by fear—and under the eye of the most powerful man in the realm.
The Royal Mage doesn’t just control the court—he controls people. With power, with fear, with enchantments no one dares resist. And for reasons Alice can’t explain, he’s taken a disturbing interest in her.
The only person who seems to want to help is the prince. He’s charming, clever—and very possibly lying. Caught between dangerous truths and beautiful deceits, Alice must decide who to trust before her friends are lost forever.
She’s not afraid of a fight. But in a world where magic is control, and trust is the most dangerous choice of all, surviving will take more than arrows—it will take everything she’s got.
The Discovery of Magic is the thrilling first book in The Intrigue of Magic, a YA epic fantasy series perfect for fans of court intrigue, character-driven fantasy, and bold heroines who don’t just survive—they fight for each other.
Buy The Discovery of Magic today to enter a world where freedom is fragile—and every alliance comes at a cost.
What readers are saying:
'A creative first novel in the Intrigue of Magic series, the contemporary characters are endearing and believable figures with magical threats, delicate alliances, and savvy manipulators at every turn. The world-building is strong, with thematic undercurrents pointing back to contemporary life in a way that inspires a continuing sense of empathy for the characters. Evias' care with character interaction and modern-day social parallels make it a distinctly compelling start to a new series.' - Self-Publishing Review, ★★★★
'The world-building is great with detailed political structure and magical elements...Evias dishes up the angst that accompanies young love, and...is authentic in depicting the frustrations of youth...Overall, this is a thoughtful and well-executed entry to a new series and I look forward to seeing where we go next' - Asher Syed, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'...offers a balance of lightheartedness and tension, making it accessible to both younger and older audiences. This first book in the series holds great promise and delivers a charming and enjoyable story.' - Carol Thompson, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★
'L. J. Evias' thrilling fantasy adventure will keep readers glued to the pages...The Discovery of Magic is a well-written, clean fantasy to be enjoyed by fantasy lovers young and old' - Delene Vrey, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'The Discovery of Magic is a compelling start to what promises to be an exceptional fantasy series for readers who appreciate carefully crafted magical worlds and meaningful character growth. I cannot wait to see what comes next.' - K.C. Finn, Readers' Favorite, ★★★★★
'A suspense-filled, magical adventure with a strong, reckless protagonist to root for. Highly recommended!' - The Wishing Shelf, ★★★★
About the Author:
L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.
The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.
When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.
Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.
L. J. Evias writes exclusively in the fantasy genre, infusing stories with a dash of adventure and mystery. In Evias’s worlds, moral absolutes do not exist, giving life to a diverse cast of intriguing characters.
The Intrigue of Magic is Evias’s debut series, featuring accessible world-building, intricate plots, and unforgettable heroes and villains. Released in 2024, The Discovery of Magic is the first book in this series.
When not immersed in the pages of a novel, Evias enjoys real-world adventures both in the UK and abroad. The enchanting settings of The Intrigue of Magic series draw inspiration from personal travels, notably the unique architecture and evocative landscapes of Morocco.
Bonus material and a sample short story are available from the author's website.
