_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

Dawn broke over Velthorne Keep in hues of deep crimson and gold, the sky painting an ominous prelude to what lay ahead. The morning air was thick with the scent of damp earth and burning torches as preparations for our departure reached their final stages.

The courtyard bustled with activity. Guards tightening their saddles, squires fastening packs to the horses and nobles murmuring their farewells. Though no one said it aloud, the air was charged with an unspoken understanding: this journey was not merely a diplomatic mission. It was a test. And not all who left would return.

Lillian stood beside my mount, her hands clasped before her. "Be careful, my lady."

I met her gaze, seeing the worry she tried to suppress. "I always am."

"That is precisely what concerns me," she murmured. "People are watching. Some to see you succeed. Others to see you fall."

"Then let them watch." I tightened the straps of my riding gloves. "I intend to give them a show."

Chapter 28