Masks Worn by Magical Wives

Look humble. Look bashful. Look harmless. Masks Worn by Magical Wives is a slow-burn f/f romance packed with secret identities and surreal magic. The story unfolds in a unique contemporary fantasy setting: a twisted yet beautiful realm where kings slowly turn amphibious and snake-worshipping nuns lurk in colossal caverns. Nemesia is one such nun. Chosen by an eldritch god, she spends most of her life underground, but her sect sends her on occasional pilgrimages to work in the land above. This time, in her mid-thirties, she gets hired to snoop on a mage named Eden... by going undercover as Eden's wife. In a world of cold and unsociable mages, Eden alone is the opposite: both powerful and well-loved. Perhaps too well-loved-she's left behind a long string of angry paramours. The exasperated king of the land orders her to settle the issue by taking a spouse. Despite her friendly facade, Eden would rather marry a stranger than someone who adores her. Nemesia (who has spent decades living devoutly in a hole) is the perfect candidate. Eden welcomes her new bride with warmth and generosity. But one of her oldest enemies ordered Nemesia to accept her offer, and it's only a matter of time till she finds out. Their marriage of convenience feels strangely comfortable, even with multiple layers of mutual deception. Yet as the seasons turn, Eden begins to lose control over her magic, and Nemesia begins to lose sight of her mission. Secrets unlock deeper secrets as tentative, unwished-for emotions spill over into a relationship that was never supposed to mean anything at all. This standalone fantasy novel has loose connections to the author's other work, but can be read and enjoyed without any prior knowledge.