Nettle and Song

The long and brutal war between the nations of humans and elves ended thirty years ago, but with no formal peace treaty, diplomacy is non-existent. The elven king hopes to improve relations by suggesting an alliance through a human tradition: arranged marriage.

Unfortunately, the only royal elf who's single and ready to mingle is his youngest and most troubled sibling, Prince Androel. Cantankerous and unpleasant, Androel is no eager bachelor, and he is still recovering from a traumatic childhood and war. Worse, he has accepted that he will never share his life with another, making him a tough sell to any future bride.

But the human side has its own issues. The princess is only thirteen, which forces the king to pick the second-best option: his wife's child from a previous relationship, the gentle yet withdrawn Theodosia, who also happens to possess magic that threatens the king's rule. She has been forced to live isolated from her family and society, lest anyone finds out her terrible secret. Her magic supressed, her familial bonds frayed, she is swapped in as a replacement for the princess and ordered to keep her gift hidden from the elves and her future husband.

The two unfortunate souls are forced to marry, and finding common ground will be difficult. Roel believes Teddy to be a vapid and spoiled noblewoman, while Teddy regards Roel as an overgrown manchild with anger issues. They must learn to work together, or at least tolerate each other, or the brittle alliance will be torn apart.