Tinctures and Terror

Vessandra Nyx was once the Archmage of the Shadow Weave, a woman whose name was whispered in fear across the Southern Reaches. She had the obsidian spire, the skeletal legions, and a heart as cold as a mountain peak. But after a century of world domination, she realized that keeping an empire together is mostly just tedious paperwork and ungrateful henchmen.So, Vessandra did the unthinkable: she retired.Now living as "Vess" in the salty, fog-drenched town of Siltport, she spends her days running The Kettle & Cauldron. Her alchemy is master-class, her tea cures hangovers that feel like dragon-fire, and her only companion is a skeletal mouse named Pip who has a penchant for tiny knit sweaters.But Siltport isn't as quiet as it looks. Between a rival apothecary and a past that refuses to stay buried, her patience is wearing thin. When a face from her dark past arrives wearing a silver inquisitor's badge, Vessandra must decide: can she solve her problems with a well-steeped brew and a touch of humanity, or will she have to remind the world why they were afraid of the dark?The first book in the Tinctures and Terror trilogy, The Villain's Teacup is a cozy, high-fantasy reimagining of what happens after the Dark Lord loses. Perfect for fans of Legends & Lattes and Warrior's Rest. Rowan Heath writes fantasy novels for people who need a break. When not typing, they can be found wandering the woods, drinking dangerous amounts of tea, or attempting to bake bread that doesn't resemble a brick. They live in a quiet corner of the world where the Wi-Fi is spotty, but the coffee is strong.