by Hannah Kaner
First published 2026
Tilde listens to the ancestral voices whispering through the kithwood of her homeland. She is the last heir of a kingdom that fell to conquest. The bloodshed must end, so she agrees to marry King Liran, the aging warlord who calls himself the swan king. Her role is clear: unite their nations and produce a male heir. But Liran's court seethes with threats. His older sons view her as competition for their inheritance. Princess Elise serves only her family's interests. The priests control them all from the shadows. None suspect that Tilde carries forbidden magic or that allies wait in secret. She came to this marriage as more than a peace offering. She wants her kingdom restored, and she will destroy anyone who stands between her and the throne. The swan king's court believes they have tamed her, but they face a serpent.
Genres: romance, fantasy, adult-fiction, dark-fantasy, epic-fantasy, historical-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, gritty, political-intrigue, slow-burn, suspenseful
Tropes: deception, enemies-to-lovers, found-family, hidden-power, political-marriage
Setting: kithwood, swan king's court
464 pages · Paperback · Harper Voyager
Content warnings: death, violence, war