Check out this working excerpt.
“Myla?”
Ruth watched her niece whirl around. Her thick, golden-brown braid swung at her waist, and her hazel eyes were wide with surprise.
“What are you doing?” Ruth asked tentatively, even though she could plainly see the bulging sack half hidden behind Myla, clothes spilling out as it slowly tipped over. The sun was just beginning to rise, and undoubtedly Myla had assumed no one else would be in the boat house.
She steeled her gaze, turned around, and stuffed the clothes back into the sack. Her movements were forceful, and Ruth could see the hard set of her jaw.
“Myla, please,” Ruth said softly, daring to step closer.
Finally, Myla turned around, halos in her eyes hinting at tears despite the low light of morning.
“I didn’t want to have to say good-bye like this,” she whispered, throwing her arms around her aunt. The roundness of her abdomen was pressed between them, and Ruth clung to her niece, imagining the unborn child nestled safely between them. Willing herself not to cry, Ruth pulled back and studied Myla’s tear-streaked face.
“Are you sure this is what you want?”
Myla nodded, wiping her nose. “Eornost and I have decided we can’t raise our daughter here; it’s not right. What if she’s not–”
She broke off, both of them knowing what she meant without having to say the words.
What if the child isn’t a Luminary?
Myla’s voice was low, even though their two hearts beat the same. There were eyes and ears all over the land lying in wait for sympathizers. It was a dangerous thing to believe in equality.
“Your mother will be heartbroken when she finds out you’ve gone.”
Myla’s eyes darkened. “She’ll be devastated to lose an heir to our House,” she said bitterly. “Trust me; I’m no great loss.”
Ruth took her niece firmly by the shoulders. Her tone was sharp, leaving no room for debate. “Listen to me. You are a gift; a force to be reckoned with.” Her eyes flicked down to her abdomen. “This child will be incredible just because she has you as their mother. She will be an heiress not to an empty title, but to your beauty and bravery and heart for those on the outside.” Ruth paused, her hand shaking slightly as she cupped Myla’s face. “I will do whatever I can to help you.”
Myla’s eyes continued to spill over and she didn’t bother to wipe them away. “Thank you,” she whispered hoarsely, her hand resting protectively on her middle. “Perhaps she can come back someday.”
Ruth forced a brave smile that she didn’t yet feel.
“We’ll make sure of it.”
The excerpt above is from the working prologue of The Callaham Chronicles. The novel follows the story of the unborn child in this scene: Maisie Elwood. Maisie is raised by Ruth, her great-aunt. Later, through her job as a governess, Maisie learns about this other world – Eretria – for the first time. Her students, employer, and fellow servants are all actually banished citizens of Eretria. Together, they embark on a mission to save their home and restore the rightful king to his throne.