First published 2026
Samira expects to die as a decoy when the Kaldfolk storm the Ashoran palace. Instead, she finds herself captured and forced to pose as Princess Amunet. Her captors subject her to deadly trials meant to unlock divine abilities she never knew she possessed. Her shape-shifting guard watches her every move, creating dangerous attraction amid the brutality. The real princess, now Queen Amunet, escapes into the desert with her lover Jasim after her father the king dies in the attack. She races across hostile terrain to reach her divine father, the god of the underworld, before her inherited powers fade forever. Treacherous allies hunt her at every turn. As Samira endures her trials, she discovers why the Kaldfolk truly attacked and uncovers buried truths about her own origins. Amunet battles through the wasteland, desperate to claim her birthright before time runs out. Both women must navigate deadly politics and growing threats while questioning everyone around them. Trust becomes their most dangerous gamble.
Genres: romance, adventure, fantasy, dark-fantasy, epic-fantasy
Vibes: atmospheric, dark, fast-paced, intense, suspenseful
Tropes: chosen-one, dual-perspective, enemies-to-lovers, forbidden-attraction, forced-proximity
Setting: Ashoran palace, desert, underworld
448 pages · Paperback · Gallery Books
Content warnings: death, torture, violence