The Cursed Kingdom

Crown Princess Kyrenia "Ren" of Acanthus never wanted to be queen. After her brother's death, she's forced into the role. Now she's a prisoner in her family's castle, forced to give up school, swordplay, and the boy she loves. Even worse, she's being forced to marry a lord of her father's choosing, who's more concerned with the girth of her hips than what's in her head...or her heart.

Ren longs for one last night of freedom, but instead, consumes too much spiked punch and ends up vomiting at the feet of a village girl.

Ainslie Blackwater isn't having the best night either. A blacksmith's daughter, she was thrilled to find a beautiful dress belonging to her late mother, who was executed for being a sorceress. Ainslie thought wearing her mother's dress would make her feel closer to her, but instead it only made her feel worse.

Ren wants to be anonymous. Ainslie wants the kind of posh life she's only dreamed of. As Ainslie and Ren talk, they arrive at a crazy plan: Ainslie will forge armor for Ren so she can compete in a jousting tournament without being recognized. In turn, Ainslie will take Ren's place at the upcoming masquerade ball.

But there are bigger forces at play, and Ainslie is kidnapped by rebel forces, mistaken for the crown princess. Now, Ren must find her-a pauper who no one cares to rescue--before it's too late.

Neither realized their night of escape would awaken centuries-dead magic, throwing their world into a supernatural war.