_saintrose

Verona Falkenrath was raised for war, not marriage. But when her kingdom is forced into an uneasy alliance with its greatest rival, she is wed to Prince Lucian Velthorne, a man as cold and calculated as the crown he will one day inherit.

What begins as a union of duty soon becomes a tangled web of shifting loyalties, political games, and dangerous truths. With war on the horizon and enemies moving in the shadows, Verona must decide who to trust, who to fight, and what she's willing to sacrifice to protect the people she loves.

In a court ruled by power and blood, survival is not promised. But one thing is certain. The woman they tried to use as a pawn might just rewrite the game.

To Love a Crowned Enemy

The tension had thickened like an approaching storm, a weight pressing against the very walls of the palace. Every glance held secrets, every whisper carried an unspoken threat. And I knew, without a doubt, that Montreve would not let my challenge go unanswered.

The morning after our exchange in the great hall, I found myself summoned to an audience with King Aldric. The request had been formal, yet something in the way the attendant had delivered it felt… off.

Lucian met me in the corridor just outside the King's council chamber. He was already dressed for the day in his usual dark attire, the royal crest gleaming at his shoulder. His gaze met mine, sharp and assessing. "You're prepared?"

"Of course," I murmured. "Should I be concerned?"

Lucian's jaw tightened. "My father does not summon people without reason. And you've been making waves."

I offered a small, wry smile. "Then let's hope I know how to swim."

Chapter 26