Absence of Light

Darkness is but the absence of light. Hate is but the absence of love.
Nadia has been stealing her whole life. After being left by her family as a child, she's had to depend on herself and her best friend James. Jobs in the Kavaana are hard to find and especially scarce for young rebellious girls with no skills but thievery. Just as Nadia turns eighteen she goes on a celebratory heist hoping to find food for them both. Instead, she gets caught and thrown in jail to await a trial with the king.
Thievery is punishable by death in Kavaana and that seems to be Nadia's fate until she meets King Kohl. He is a ruthless, heartless tyrant that rules with fear-- at least that's what everybody says. Kohl is surprisingly intrigued by Nadia and decides to keep her alive and and under his watch. Nadia, angry and confused, attempts to escape the grasp of the king by getting on his good side-- if he has one. But while learning more about him, he questions who she is and the two get entangled as something unavoidable ignites between them. But can she forgive who he is and everything he has done?
The country of Aznea is on the brink of war with its' long time rival, Leghaani. The country is in unrest, questioning the King's rule. A rebel group inside the country has been supplying the Leghaani with information to wage war against the King of Aznea. Kohl is pushed to his limits and Nadia witnesses his unbecoming.
Will the two be able crush the waging of war before it's too late? Will Kohl be able to get his country back? Will Nadia want to help him?