Can’t Spell Treason Without Tea

A queen’s guard and an all-powerful mage run away together in this fun and fluffy fantasy romance, originally self-published in 2022, from Thorne (The Secrets of Star Whales). When the stress of decades serving the violent and cruel Queen Tilaine becomes too much, Reyna finally follows her dream of fleeing the capital to open a tea shop with her secret girlfriend Kianthe, also known as the Arcandor, Mage of Ages. They settle in Tawney, a small but welcoming town in contested territory, and open their store, but are soon beset by visits from the Queen’s agents, mysterious dragon attacks, and tension from their own relationship anxieties. The pair must face their fears and rely on the help and wisdom of new friends to preserve the peace of their new life together. The jumbled mix of magical, historical, and contemporary worldbuilding elements can sometimes hamper immersion, but Kianthe and Reyna’s relationship, along with Thorne’s frank and sensitive depictions of anxiety, lends a grounding depth and richness. Readers of Travis Baldree and TJ Klune will feel right at home with this cozy sapphic romantasy. (May)