The cold-blooded murder of a historian at Oxford unearths an ancient secret kept hidden from the world for six centuries; A secret so valuable, that people are willing to kill for it.

In the icy heart of the Carpathians, a treacherous bargain binds kings and slaves alike. Raised as the daughter of a noble House, Katherine never questioned her identity-until her father's execution shatters her world. Driven into the clutches of the Prince who ordered her father's death, she discovers a darker inheritance: a hidden lineage reaching across battle lines to the prince's mortal enemy.

Lady Anastasia's life is governed by duty and expectation, her every move watched by the eyes of the court. But when an unexpected encounter with a mysterious soldier disrupts the fragile peace of her world, everything she knows begins to unravel. Torn between her loyalty to her family and the growing pull she feels toward this enigmatic man, Anastasia is forced to navigate the treacherous waters of court politics, family secrets, and forbidden desires. In a world where every choice could be her last, Anastasia's strength and heart will be tested in ways she never anticipated. With love and danger intertwined, can she find a path to happiness, or will the shadows of the past consume everything she holds dear? *I do not use my real name on the cover due to privacy reasons!* This is only a draft, I'm not sure if I want to make this into a full actually good book, please give feedback though!