First published 2026
Queen Theora Umbra rules the Aranean colony after her predecessor's assassination triggered a year of war. Now she must negotiate peace with the rival queen who ordered the killing. The talks forbid weapons and armor, leaving Theora vulnerable. She devises a solution: marry a bodyguard to bring him along without suspicion. She chooses Argos, a fierce Warrior with a deadly reputation. The plan seems simple. Survive the negotiations, annul the marriage, part ways. But Warriors require dominant magical control to manage their ruthless nature, and Theora lacks magic entirely. She must hide this weakness while commanding Argos convincingly. As they prepare for the dangerous diplomatic mission, their fake marriage feels increasingly real. Theora finds herself drawn to Argos's protective instincts and struggling to maintain the pretense that their connection is purely strategic. The peace talks will test more than her political skills.
Genres: romance, fantasy, adult, adult-fiction, political-thriller, fantasy-romance
Vibes: emotionally-complex, intimate, political-intrigue, slow-burn, suspenseful, tension-filled
Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, fake-dating, forced-proximity, power-imbalance, slow-burn-romance
Setting: Aranean colony
320 pages · Hardcover · Delacorte Press
Content warnings: violence, war