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  • Prince of Swords

Prince of Swords

Arcana Academy #2 / 3
by Elise Kova
Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2) by Elise Kova
⧗ 8.78 / 9
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Welcome back to Arcana Academy. Tarot magic, forbidden desire, battle, and betrayal collide for the power to change the world in the thrilling second book of this New York Times bestselling fantasy romance series.

I am terrified. Yet my heart skips a beat. This man might be a monster, but he is my monster.

Clara Graysword is Oricalis’s most wanted. Hunted and cornered, not even her mastery of tarot can save her this time . . . until the mysterious Worldkeepers appear. This secretive order may hold the key to changing Clara’s fate. If she dares to trust them.

But the most dangerous alliance of all is one she’s already deeply ensnared within: Prince Kaelis.

Kaelis, second-born prince of Oricalis and headmaster of Arcana Academy, is the one man she can’t escape—maybe she doesn’t want to escape. Ruthless, dangerous, and bound to Clara by destiny and desire, Kaelis tests her heart as much as her loyalty. Together, they grow closer to the most powerful secrets of the tarot . . . and to the truths they both hide that could destroy the passion that they no longer deny.

Hidden in plain sight within Arcana Academy, Clara walks the dagger’s edge. Revelations about Oricalis threaten everything she thought she knew, and every choice she makes is the difference between salvation and ruin.

To change the world, Clara must risk everything—her power, her beliefs, and her heart.

Book Two in The Arcana Academy Series

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FantasyRomanceRomantasy
Release date: July 21, 2026

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Elise Kova

Elise Kova

Elise Kova is an author whose vivid worlds and intricate plots have captivated fantasy lovers across the globe. Known for her ability to blend magic, romance, and adventure, she has earned a dedicated following of readers who eagerly await each new release. A USA Today bestselling author, Elise's books often feature strong heroines, complex relationships, and fantastical settings that feel as alive as the characters themselves.

Before her pen was her sword, Elise pursued an MBA, worked for a Fortune 500 technology company, and even spent time in Japan, experiences that would later inspire the rich layers of her stories. But it was the call of storytelling that eventually led her to leave her corporate career behind and fully embrace the role of a writer. Since then, Elise has crafted some of the most beloved series in modern fantasy, including Air Awakens and The Crown's Game series. Her fans can always expect a thrilling ride filled with world-building, emotional depth, and characters that leap off the page.

Read more ...

Elise’s writing process is a deeply personal journey. While she draws inspiration from her love for video games, anime, and art, it’s the emotional resonance and character-driven arcs that define her books. Her characters don’t just live through epic quests; they grow, struggle, and fall in love, their journeys weaving a tapestry of heart-pounding action and soul-stirring moments.

When she’s not crafting worlds, Elise enjoys connecting with her readers. Whether through social media or her monthly newsletter, she brings her fans into the fold, sharing insights into her writing and the inspirations behind her stories. You’ll often find her playing video games, chatting about anime, or reflecting on her next big adventure.

Currently calling Florida home, Elise is always on the lookout for her next journey, whether that’s a new story to tell or a new place to explore. Her upcoming release, Arcana Academy, promises to be another unforgettable addition to her repertoire, blending romance, magic, and the promise of destiny.

With her books in the hands of readers worldwide, Elise Kova continues to shape the fantasy genre, one page at a time.

Arcana Academy

At the heart of Arcana Academy lies a world brimming with magic, secrets, and royal intrigue, a place where power is not just learned but forged. When Clara Graysword, a street-smart thief with a dangerous talent for "inking" tarot cards, gets caught for an illegal job gone wrong, it seems as though her luck has run out. But in a twist of fate, she’s offered an impossible escape: an engagement to the mysterious and magnetic Prince Kaelis, the enigmatic headmaster of the prestigious Arcana Academy.

Read more ...

What Clara doesn’t know is that this engagement is far from ordinary. Kaelis sees in her the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king, one that holds the key to re-creating an ancient, all-powerful card long lost to time. In an attempt to hide her true identity and keep her close, Kaelis enrolls her as a first-year student at the academy, now pretending to be his fiancée.

Thrown into a world of magic, political schemes, and dangerous games, Clara must navigate her new role while battling her growing feelings for Kaelis, a man she has sworn to distrust. Every decision could either bind her closer to the prince or tear her world apart. As she grapples with the intense pull between loyalty, power, and passion, Clara is forced to confront the darkest corners of both the magical realm and her own heart.

Arcana Academy is more than just a fantasy series; it’s a spellbinding journey into a realm where every card dealt could mean the difference between life and death. Filled with arcane mysteries, romance that sizzles beneath the surface, and a world where every twist feels earned, this series will leave readers eagerly turning pages to see who ultimately holds the power, the prince or the girl who might just hold the key to everything.

From the first tarot card inked to the last heart-stopping revelation, Arcana Academy will captivate readers with its mix of dark academia, forbidden love, and a battle for control over a magical world teetering on the brink of chaos. A story where every choice matters and no one is who they appear to be, if you love high stakes, slow-burn romance, and intrigue that keeps you guessing, this series is sure to enchant.


Arcana Academy consists of one book and series is set to expand with the upcoming release of two more books. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.

Arcana Academy (Arcana Academy #1)
★ 10.00 / 1
Prince of Swords (Arcana Academy #2)
⧗ 8.78 / 9
Arcana Academy Book 3 (Arcana Academy #3)
⧗ 8.00 / 1


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