by Sara Raasch
First published 2025
Samson Calthorpe carries a curse that cuts him off from everyone he loves. When he gets a chance to break free, he takes it. The price is steep: become a royal spy and risk everything to penetrate Mary Queen of Scots' court. His mission is to expose an assassination plot targeting Queen Elizabeth. Meanwhile, Alyth Graham guards the Scottish Queen from dangers both earthly and supernatural, including threats from Mary's own husband, Lord Darnley. Alyth hides her true nature as the daughter of a fae prince and human mother. She stands among Scotland's most skilled guardians, sworn to fight the Red Caps, a violent fae clan that Lord Darnley secretly works with to seize control of Scotland. In the treacherous Scottish court, Samson and Alyth orbit each other warily. Both hunt for threats to their homelands. They share a burning distrust of Lord Darnley and feel an undeniable attraction growing between them. Through coded messages and magical aid, they uncover a conspiracy spanning centuries. Lord Darnley serves as merely a piece on the board in a game where everything is at stake.
Genres: romance, historical-fiction, fantasy, thriller
Vibes: dark, emotional, suspenseful
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found-family
Setting: Scotland
Period: 16th Century
368 pages · Hardcover · Sourcebooks Fire
Content warnings: violence