Ella Ashbourne’s stepsister steals the enchanted token proving Ella was the mysterious woman at Prince Edward’s ball—and takes her royal engagement. Ella is instead forced into a century-old marriage pact with Kael, the chained “beast” hidden in an abandoned palace. But the monster is really the empire’s lost crown prince, cursed and erased by his usurping uncle. Armed with herbs, ledgers, and a gift for uncovering lies, Ella helps Kael reclaim his mind, his allies, and his birthright. As her stepsister’s false fairy tale sinks into debt and betrayal, Ella and Kael turn a loveless bargain into a powerful alliance—and a dangerous romance. To seize the throne, they must expose a decade-old coup before the regent destroys them both.
