The dark and bloody threat of the Vresal grows.When new information is presented to King Alik, plans must be changed. The last minute request for negotiations looks promising but will old secrets and insecurities threaten the kingdoms that Alik and Eamon have fought for?With ill-gotten information, Eamon is forced to defend Grayhaven.Alik and Eamon are faced with choices that they are not prepared to make.When one of their own makes a mistake, what will it cost them? And are they able to pay for it?

Crown Prince Alik of the Grayhaven kingdom is the last remaining heir to his parent's kingdom. He knew this day was coming, the day that he would be forced to marry, but he didn't know that it would be so soon.He has only request: That he might be the one to choose his future spouse from the royal family his parents have in mind.Crown Prince Eamon of the Ataton kingdom is the eldest of four siblings. He is know throughout the lands as the Barbarian Prince, the Bladebringer, the warrior prince that brought a temporary peace to his lands.He has only one wish: That he and his family be happy, whatever the case might be.When the Princes meet, they clash, but could it be something more?With an encroaching enemy breathing down Eamon's neck and his siblings to think of, will Eamon make the right choice for not only him, but his family, and kingdom as well?As Alik begins to map out his future and take on the mantle of King, will he be able to let go of his past to move on to something greater than he could hope for?The Royal Houses of Sea and Snow, Book I: A Prince's Duty is the beginning of a new series from Jude Marquez. It can be read without having read the previous trilogy, The Cerith Kingdom Chronicles, but does reference events from those books, so read at your own risk!Book I does end on a cliffhanger, and readers can expect steamy MM sex scenes, and violence appropriate to a medieval kingdom right before a war.