From New York Times bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a hauntingly beautiful dystopian fantasy, where ancient powers rise and a fearless young woman must choose between the ruthless prince who tempts her heart—and a destiny that could cost her soul.
When Arden Roosa returns to Fort Bala Royal Academy, nothing is as it was. No longer just a lady-in-training, she’s now the infamous girlfriend of High Prince Cyrus Dolion—and the woman who brought down a king. Her reward? Round-the-clock guards and the attention of a royal executioner with secrets. But Arden has secrets too. As a double agent slipping between worlds to decode forbidden prophecy, she knows what’s coming. Sleeping gods are stirring, and a war igniting. With only a spark, everyone will burn.
But nothing goes according to plan. Grueling trials consume her days, and dangerous questions stalk her nights. Worse, Cyrus—the fierce, unshakable warrior she might love—is unraveling, losing pieces of himself, becoming a stranger right before her eyes. Desperate to save him, Arden strikes a life-altering alliance…and everything spirals. Now the gods are no longer dreaming. They’re hunting. Time is running out, the end closer than anyone dares to admit. Unless Arden can stop what’s coming, Cyrus will open the door to true evil—and she’ll lose him forever.
The series
In a realm where past and present collide, the fate of kingdoms, and hearts, hinges on secrets older than memory. Arden Roosa, suddenly thrust into a world of ancient tomes, hidden societies, and supernatural danger, must navigate training, betrayal, and powers she barely understands. Every decision carries weight, every alliance is shadowed with risk, and the boundaries between friend, lover, and enemy blur in ways that challenge her courage and wits.
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The series draws readers into a richly imagined landscape of mist‑shrouded forests, glittering citadels, and shadowed academies where magic hums just beneath the surface. Arden’s journey is one of self-discovery, resilience, and the quiet reckoning that comes with knowing the past is never fully gone. Woven through the tension and romance is a world where prophecy, ambition, and hidden power shape destinies and hearts alike. For readers who crave dark fantasy with layered characters, high-stakes intrigue, and the pulse of forbidden magic, this series offers a story that lingers long after the final page.
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