The noble and the nighti.., p.1
The Noble and the Nightingale, page 1
The Noble and the Nightingale
Synopsis
Adella del Amanecer is from a noble family whose pride comes from dedication to the kingdom of Sarras. She works long hours as a diplomat and barely has time for her sisters, let alone romance, a fact that makes her nights feel longer than her days, especially when she thinks about the lovely bard on the corner.
As an ex-spy for the Firellian Empire, Bridget Leir has fled from crises and corruption until settling in Sarras, where she can hide as a bard. When a chance meeting with a beautiful diplomat leads to romance, Bridget’s new life feels filled with promise, until Sarras investigates Firellian rumblings of war. If the truth comes out, the Sarrasians—and Adella—will never believe Bridget’s spying days are done, and worse—Adella will be accused of sleeping with the enemy. It’ll be the gallows for them both.
What Reviewers Say About Barbara Ann Wright’s Work
Lady of Stone
“Yet another stellar read from Barbara Ann Wright, Lady of Stone is a wonderful blend of magical fantasy and lesbian romance that had me eager to find out how it all ends, and yet reluctant to have it end.”—Beauty in Ruins
Not Your Average Love Spell
“Barbara Ann Wright mixes so much into her story—romance, comedy, drama, action, adventure—that it threatens more than once to collapse under the clash of themes, but those clashes and contrasts only serve to make it stronger and more engaging.”—Beauty in Ruins
“…a solid little fantasy tale with a lot of really cool elements…Wright plays to all the tropes…in a way that keeps the story fresh while preserving the surprises. …As for the romance, that was surprisingly sweet and amusing, with four women at the heart of the story who are entirely likable…the spark of attraction and the emotional connections are undeniable.”—Fem Led Fantasy
“…a great story filled with magic, wondrous creatures and adventure but what I really enjoyed about the book was the way that the characters grew. …It is a great thing to read in these trying times and I took hope from it. The story pulls with enough magic to feel like a fully fleshed out fantasy world while keeping our heroes relatable and engaging. …I give it a full hearted thumbs up and you should definitely check it out.”—Paper Phoenix Ink
“I thought this was a fun and entertaining adventure read…the fantasy aspects are very approachable. …The way the whole plot unfolded just felt different and I loved that. What also really impressed me was the amount of action this book had. It was one thing after another after another all keeping me completely glued to the book…I could not stop reading.”—Lez Review Books
“The adventures, as mentioned above, were plentiful. There are pirates and warriors, a yeti, giant spiders, a possible dragon, lizard people, and in general, a lot of tough-headed knights. The plot was definitely interesting, with a lot of twists and turns. The writing was seasoned with beautiful writing and truths. I highly recommend this book to lovers of fantasy and to those that want characters to be challenged to deconstruct what they know and learn how to live together. It’s a beautiful book!”—The Lesbrary
“[Not Your Average Love Spell] is an entertaining…romantic fantasy adventure comedy? (I’m not sure how to categorise its Venn diagram of subgenres, either.) Starring an agoraphobic witch; a bright, curious, talkative homunculus; an archivist/scholar with a revolutionary bent; a knight who—at least initially—believes wholeheartedly in her order’s mission to stamp out magic; and an invasion of genocidal warriors, Not Your Average Love Spell takes its characters on an entertaining ride and delivers all of them a happy ending. (Except for the genocidal warriors. Their happy ending would be terrible for everyone else.)”—Tor.com
The Tattered Lands
“Wright’s postapocalyptic romance is a fast-paced journey through devastation. …Plenty of action, surprises, and magic will keep readers turning the pages.”—Publishers Weekly
House of Fate
“…fast, fun…entertaining…House of Fate delivers on adventure.”—Tor.com
Coils
“…Greek myths, gods and monsters and a trip to the Underworld. Sign me up. …This one springs straight into action…a good start, great Greek myth action and a late blooming romance that flowers in the end…”—Dear Author
“A unique take on the Greek gods and the afterlife make this a memorable book. The story is fun with just the right amount of camp. Medusa is a hot, if unexpected, love interest. …A truly unexpected ending has us hoping for more stories from this world.”—RT Book Reviews
“The gods and monsters of ancient Greek mythology are living, breathing entities, something Cressida didn’t expect and is amazed as well as terrified to discover. …Cressida soon realizes being in the underworld is no different than being among the living. The heart still feels and love can bloom, even in the world of Myth. …The characters are well developed and their wit will elicit more than a few chuckles. A joy to read.”—Lunar Rainbow Reviewz
Paladins of the Storm Lord
“This was a truly enjoyable read…I would definitely pick up the next book. …The mad dash at the end kept me riveted. I would definitely recommend this book for anyone who has a love of sci-fi. …An intricate…novel one that can be appreciated at many levels, adventurous sci fi or one that is politically motivated with a very astute look at present day human behavior. …There are many levels to this extraordinary and well written book…overall a fascinating and intriguing book.”—Inked Rainbow Reads
“I loved this. …The world that the Paladins inhabited was fascinating…didn’t want to put this down until I knew what happened. I’ll be looking for more of Barbara Ann Wright’s books.”—Lesbian Romance Reviews
“Paladins of the Storm Lord by Barbara Ann Wright was like an orchestra with all of its pieces creating a symphony. I really truly loved it. I love the intricacy and wide variety of character types…I just loved practically every character! …Of course my fellow adventure lovers should read Paladins of the Storm Lord!”—Lesbian Review
Thrall: Beyond Gold and Glory
“Once more Barbara has outdone herself in her penmanship. I cannot sing enough praises. A little Vikings, a dash of The Witcher, peppered with The Game of Thrones, and a pinch of Lord of The Rings. Mesmerizing. …I was ecstatic to read this book. It did not disappoint. Barbara pours life into her characters with sarcasm, wit and surreal imagery, they leap from the page and stand before you in all their glory. I am left satisfied and starving for more, the clashing of swords, whistling of arrows still ringing in my ears.”—Lunar Rainbow Reviews
“In their adventures, the women must wrestle with issues of freedom, loyalty, and justice. The characters were likable, the issues complex, and the battles were exciting. I really enjoyed this book and I highly recommend it.”—All Our Worlds: Diverse Fantastic Fiction
“This was the first Barbara Ann Wright novel I’ve read, and I doubt it will be the last. Her dialogue was concise and natural, and she built a fantastical world that I easily imagined from one scene to the next. Lovers of Vikings, monsters and magic won’t be disappointed by this one.”—Curve
The Pyramid Waltz
“…a healthy dose of a very creative, yet believable, world into which the reader will step to find enjoyment and heart-thumping action. It’s a fiendishly delightful tale.”—Lambda Literary
“Barbara Ann Wright is a master when it comes to crafting a solid and entertaining fantasy novel. …The world of lesbian literature has a small handful of high-quality fantasy authors, and Barbara Ann Wright is well on her way to joining the likes of Jane Fletcher, Cate Culpepper, and Andi Marquette. …Lovers of the fantasy and futuristic genre will likely adore this novel, and adventurous romance fans should find plenty to sink their teeth into.”—Rainbow Reader
“The Pyramid Waltz has had me smiling for three days. …I also haven’t actually read…a world that is entirely unfazed by homosexuality or female power before. I think I love it. I’m just delighted this book exists. …If you enjoyed The Pyramid Waltz, For Want of a Fiend is the perfect next step…you’d be embarking on a joyous, funny, sweet and madcap ride around very dark things lovingly told, with characters who will stay with you for months after.”—The Lesbrary
“Chock full of familiar elements that avid fantasy readers will adore…[The Pyramid Waltz] adds in a compelling and slowly evolving romance. …Set against a backdrop of political intrigue with the possibility of monsters and mystery at every turn, the two women slowly learn each other, sharing secrets and longing, until a fragile love blossoms between them…”—USA Today Happily Ever After
For Want of a Fiend
“This book will keep you turning the page to find out the answers. …Fans of the fantasy genre will really enjoy this installment of the story. We can’t wait for the next book.”—Curve
“A fun, unique story with a distinctive world. This series doesn’t imitate other popular fantasy novels. It stands on its own. The writing is well paced and Wright incorporates a more modern or colloquial language which makes the books easy to read. Overall, For Want of a Fiend was an enjoyable read and I think you would like it if you are a fan of books like Game of Thrones or a TV series like Reign.”—Lesbian Review
“If you enjoyed The Pyramid Waltz, For Want of a Fiend is the perfect next step. If you haven’t read either, know that you’d be embarking on a joyous, funny, sweet and madcap ride around very dark things lovingly told, with characters who will stay with you for mon
A Kingdom Lost
“There is only one other time in my life I have uncontrollably shouted out in cheer while reading a book. [A Kingdom Lost] made the second. …Over the course of these three books all the characters have blossomed and developed so eloquently. …I simply just thought this whole novel was brilliant.”—Lesbian Review
The Fiend Queen
“After reading this series Barbara Ann Wright has made my favorite author list. Her writing always seems to sweep me away to another world. The pacing, characters, and language were all perfect. …I am so addicted to Fantasy now. I knew fantasy was one of my favorite genres but it was always hard for me to come by a consistent source of fantasy books. After finishing the series A Pyradisté Adventure I knew that I had found a diamond. I can’t wait to read the rest of Barbara Ann Wright’s works. …Read it! I am obsessed and I don’t know how I will ever want to read a non-fantasy Lesfic ever again. I literally felt drunk off the series. Even after I was done with this book I thought about it constantly for at least two days.”—Lesbian Review
The Noble and the Nightingale
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The Noble and the Nightingale
© 2021 By Barbara Ann Wright. All Rights Reserved.
ISBN 13: 978-1-63555-813-5
This Electronic Original Is Published By
Bold Strokes Books, Inc.
P.O. Box 249
Valley Falls, NY 12185
First Edition: March 2021
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced in any form without permission.
Credits
Editor: Cindy Cresap
Production Design: Susan Ramundo
Cover Design by Tammy Seidick
eBook Design by Toni Whitaker
By the Author
The Pyradisté Adventures
The Pyramid Waltz
For Want of a Fiend
A Kingdom Lost
The Fiend Queen
Lady of Stone
Thrall: Beyond Gold and Glory
The Godfall Novels
Paladins of the Storm Lord
Widows of the Sun-Moon
Children of the Healer
Inheritors of Chaos
Coils
House of Fate
The Tattered Lands
Not Your Average Love Spell
The Sisters of Sarras
The Noble and the Nightingale
Acknowledgments
Thanks to everyone at BSB, from Cindy and Stacia, who make sure I don’t write crap, to the many writer friends I’ve met along the way.
Thanks to the Beavers and Writer’s Ink: Angela, Deb, Erin, Matt, Natsu, Sarah, and Trakena. You are so far above other writing groups, it’s really not fair.
Thanks to all my readers and anyone who reached out. I hope you like Sarras because we’re going to be here awhile. ;)
As always, thank you, Mom. You’re the reason I’m here both as a person and as a writer.
Dedication
To Angela, for always volunteering her home and her critiquing skills.
Prologue
Bridget froze as she heard barking.
Dogs. She was finished. Why did they have to use the damned dogs to track her?
Peering around a tree, she tried to ignore her icy-cold hands and searched for signs of pursuit, but she couldn’t see anything through the mass of pine trees and dense undergrowth of ferns and thorn bushes. Her pilfered trousers hadn’t protected her legs much, and if that wasn’t uncomfortable enough, she’d picked the coldest, wettest day of the year so far to escape. If her luck wasn’t going to hold for better foliage and milder weather, she should have expected it to collapse in other areas as well.
Like hunting dogs.
She imagined Baxter’s wrinkled face scowling at her. “Run, you lumbering ox,” he’d say, “or brambles won’t be the only thing tearing your trousers!”
She took to her heels again, hoping the soldiers of the Firellian Empire and their stupid dogs would be thrown off by the rain as much as they were no doubt annoyed by it. Ah, yes, having her pursuers being nicely irritated when they caught her would be a continuation of her lucky streak all right.
All worth it not to live a lie anymore, not to kill anymore.
She laughed at herself as she ran. The first part was a bit of bullshit. Any life she had from now on as an ex-spy for the empire would be as much a lie as the countless assignments she’d completed.
Well, yes, damn it, but it would be her lie. And after long enough, it could become the truth.
As for the killing, well, she’d do her best.
The barking turned into howling. Closer now. They’d found her scent. Bridget cursed. The soldier’s coat she’d stolen had long ago lost its buttons, and she gave up trying to hold it tighter around her. She pumped that arm as she ran, clutching her mandolin case with her other hand.
Any truth she’d ever find in the future had to have music in it.
The sound of the Kingfish River had been a murmur for the past mile, but now it grew to a roar, drowning out the sounds of pursuit. At least she was still headed in the right direction. This far downriver, she should be well out of the rapids but still high enough to be carried swiftly away.
Forcing down her fear, she repeated Baxter’s last words to her in her head. “Once you hit the water, ducky, you’ve got around twenty minutes before you get so stiff, you can’t move.” He’d shaken a long finger in her face. “No more than twenty, mind. You’ll drown before you freeze to death, but as you’ll be dead, I doubt that will be much of a comfort.” Then he’d given her a rough hug and had practically shoved her out of his office. He probably thought that saving her from a long good-bye made up for training her as a spy in the first place.
It didn’t, but she still counted him as a friend. Sort of. And he went up in her estimation when she broke through the trees and saw a large bundle of broken branches sitting on the muddy bank of the swiftly moving Kingfish River.
Bridget sprinted for the bundle, recognizing it as the old spymaster’s trick for disguising a small, overturned boat. She caught a hint of shouts coming from the trees, and her heart pressed into her throat.
With shaking fingers, she secured her mandolin case under the oilskin tarp fastened inside the circular boat on the bottom, so it would hang over her head as she floated. The case fit next to a pack Baxter had supplied when he’d hidden the tiny craft.
“Thanks, Bax,” she whispered as she lifted the boat and hurried toward the river, keeping it the wrong way up so it would cover her. “Just another tangle of branches and flotsam hurtling downriver in the early fall. Nothing to worry about. The traitor probably drowned. Let’s all go home.”
If only.
Now to actually get in the damned river.
“Here’s to the devils.” She plunged in, not letting herself think.
The cold hit her legs like a hammer, and she sucked in a breath so hard, her chest ached. Any later in the year, and this would be unthinkable. It was pretty difficult to think of now, but as she waded up to her chest and lowered the boat over her head, she could think of little else.
The current grabbed her, yanking her away, taking her breath again. She curled her hands around the oar wedged over her head and picked her feet up, letting the river have its way.
