Chains of the Crown

The Kingdom of Solrenn is built on sacrifice.

For centuries, women have been bound by an ancient curse, their magic siphoned to sustain the land, strengthen the soldiers, and fuel the power of the throne-while men wield the glory. Arlen has spent her life in the shadows of the palace, offering her magic to keep the kingdom alive, her existence nothing more than another unseen thread in the empire's tapestry. But something is changing. The land is hungrier than before, the rituals are draining the women faster, and the whispers in Arlen's mind are growing louder.

When she sees something she shouldn't-an entity lurking in the dark corners of the palace, watching, waiting-Arlen realizes the kingdom's hunger is more than just magic. It is something ancient, something restless. And it has set its sights on her.

As the rebellion stirs in the shadows and the crown tightens its grip, Arlen is caught between those who seek to use her and the one man who might be her undoing-Kael, a warrior with secrets of his own and a gaze that sees too much. He is dangerous. But the deeper Arlen falls into the darkness, the more she begins to wonder: is he the only one she can trust?

But trust won't save her.
Not when the whispers are right.
Not when the kingdom is already doomed.