Bound by Arcana

Gwendolyn Valenstra of Wands has always been a survivor, sharp and resilient. When she's sold into marriage to Valen Solemere, the brooding Prince of Swords, her fate seems sealed in duty and distrust. But when the two are commanded to journey together to find the Lost City of Cups, a trial set by their parents to prove their right to rule. Gwen finds herself entangled not only in ancient prophecy, but in the dangerous pull of a man as haunted as he is honourable.

Scarred by war and burdened by ghosts, Valen has sworn never to love. Yet with every step across the wild lands of Arcarna, Gwendolyn begins to unravel his tightly bound bandages and uncover the truth behind the war that tore their realms apart.

Together, they must uncover the secret the courts swore to protect, or lose each other and the lands of Arcarna in the process.

-Snippet from One Year Ago-
He tasted like wine, this was wrong. So wrong. He's drunk, I can't kiss a drunk person. He can't think straight. I doubt who he even knows who he's kissing, so I reluctantly pulled back. "I'm sorry, I can't. You're drunk, I can't kiss you. This is wrong." Then he pouted, actually pouted. "But why were we having fun? Who cares if it's wrong?" his eyes still glowed with lust. "Please, can you just leave? I don't even fucking know you!" He smiled like this was all a game to him before turning and leaving. I felt empty, like I couldn't breathe with him or without him. I felt like I needed him. In more ways than one. Then I decided I needed to forget him. It was the smart choice. Or was it the wrong one?