Nicki Pau Preto

In a world ruled by fierce warrior queens, a grand empire was built upon the backs of Phoenix Riders--legendary heroes who soared through the sky on wings of fire--until a war between two sisters ripped it all apart. Sixteen years later, Veronyka is a war orphan who dreams of becoming a Phoenix Rider from the stories of old. After a shocking betrayal from her controlling sister, Veronyka strikes out alone to find the Riders--even if that means disguising...

"Veronyka has been revealed as the heir to the empire, but to protect her people, she'll have to face the most devastating enemy she could imagine: her own sister"-- The secret is out: Veronyka is the daughter of Pheronia Ashfire, the last queen of the Golden Empire-- and the niece of Avalkyra Ashfire, the resurrected rebel queen who tore the empire apart. With Tristan still a hostage of the scheming Lord Rolan, and Sev with him as a spy, Veronyka...