Today, we’re super excited to share an excerpt from Trip Galey’s upcoming novel A Market of Dreams and Destiny.

Beth recently read and absolutely loved this one, you can find here review HERE. Read on to find out more from Titan Books:

In the Untermarkt making the right deal can be the difference between wealth and poverty, life and death, or getting your heart’s desire or having it shattered. For Deri, the right deal could win him freedom, a secure income, and the life he’s always dreamt of. This excerpt from a chapter early in the pages of A Market of Dreams and Destiny features just such an opportunity, though if you want to see how Deri came to find this opportunity and what the consequences of making this deal are for him, you’ll have to read the book!

A Market of Dreams and Destiny releases on 12 September 2023 – pre-order your copy on the Titan website!

“Deri retrieved a small pot of ink of night and a raven’s quill, each painstakingly scavenged from Maurlocke’s castoffs. There would be no room for elaborate agreements, scant room for clever loopholes, and little hope of wriggling out of the favour he had just recklessly promised. The destiny it would buy, though – the profit to be had with that merchandise was such that Deri did not need to wring every last drop of advantage. He felt like less of a merchant for it, but beggars and choosers, beggars and choosers.

A few brief lines outlining the agreement, enumerating the merchandise each party was bringing to the deal, the bare necessity of flourishes and the contract was complete. A true merchant of the Market could bind an agreement with naught but words, a handshake, or even a slight nod. Deri had not that skill. Yet.

‘Sign here, Highness.’ He pointed to the line above the one graced by his signature.

A flourish of ink and it was done. Boudicca, princess for a few minutes more, at least, held out her hand for the compass.

‘Not quite yet,’ Deri said, shaking his head and pulling out an old comb, all of ivory and horn, worn but still beautiful. ‘We need to first part you from your old destiny, or the new will have no hope of taking root. Please, sit and allow me.’

Deri gently unbound the princess’ hair and began carefully running the comb through it. Pass after pass he made, drawing the fine teeth through the finer strands of her hair. Destiny tangled golden around the ivory and gleamed bright against the princess’s rich chestnut curls. As he did so, Lena sat taller and taller, as if lighter. She giggled, a sharp and weightless sound, too free. With each flick of the comb, stands of gold tangled about the teeth, until it pulled smoothly, nothing left to arrest its passage.

‘That should do it.’ Deri carefully wrapped the comb with its golden snarl into a silk bag for safe storage. He would have to card and spin it later before it could be of any use. He passed the compass to Lena, princess no longer.

‘As agreed.’

Lena ignored him. She was staring at her hands, looking as if she could see right through them. Perhaps she could. Deri had to struggle to see her himself. She kept threatening to slip – out of sight, out of the market stall. It was as if not even the light would touch her.

‘Take it,’ Deri said sharply.

Lena cocked her head to one side, as if she was hearing someone impossibly far away. Deri reached out and put the compass into her hand, closing her fingers firmly over it. As soon as he did, Lena took on a new weight, a clarity. She blinked, her movements slightly stiff. It was as if the clothes she wore were new, unworn, not yet lived in.

‘Thank you,’ Lars said, placing his hands on Lena’s shoulders.

‘Think nothing of it,’ Deri replied, his heart beating wildly, ‘nothing at all. Now, let’s get you on your way before someone comes looking.’”

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