Z asked Rori I.:

This question contains spoilers… (view spoiler)

Rori I. Okay, so here's a question promising a bunch of spoilers in my answer, but to be honest, I don't mind. There are few things I ever hide about my plot, simply because I think keeping the reader in suspense should be done on the page. I have faith in my abilities. xd

Nevertheless, SPOILERS ahead.

So, as you know from book one already, the Blackthorn's marriage is falling apart. There is no big drama - Liana is busy surviving, busy protecting both of them, busy plotting...
She is however slowly realizing the partnership she had with Marcus is not standing the test of a high pressure environment. Very soon, she is going to choose herself.

This is a point Beta readers have questioned. "But why not fix Marcus's attitude instead?"

I think there's enough of that. Enough of women enduring and waiting, until their husbands have figured it out. There is not enough of women choosing themselves though.

Your partner doesn't have to hurt you for you to leave; you can just not be happy in the relationship anymore. They can love you - dearly and passionately - yet you can choose yourself. And that's okay.

Once the Blackthorns part ways, there is a lot to handle. Like you've noticed from Republic's Chosen, Liana is a bit busy.
There will be a fling here and there, but nothing so serious to turn into a romance - just blowing off steam, so to say. I think if anybody has remained uncertain over Liana's bisexuality, they won't have a doubt after the next books.
There will be however a sneaky little story-line which will reveal things from Liana's past - and a person who mattered more to her than she cared to admit.

Marcus is another topic. He has a tendency to fixate on things, and a rather suffocating love - another reason why Liana would need to walk out. It would take time for him to heal, because unlike her, he hasn't arrived at the realization they were wrong for each other yet.
He'll walk that path first, and then we'll see him committing to the same casual "blowing off steam" behaviour as with Liana.

- This is just what soldiers do -

So, some romance ahead, for sure.

flag