Overview

"A delectable read." —C.S. Pacat, New York Times bestselling author

A young lord, his future bride, and his former lover become unlikely allies to survive a deadly mystery in this spine-tingling historical fantasy of magic, murder, and steamy encounters.
Lord Nicholas Monterris is trapped. The only heir to a declining dukedom, Nic is destined for a marriage of convenience. What he doesn't expect is for his bride to be Lady Leaf Serral, daughter of his father's hated rival.

Tradition dictates the families are confined together while the marriage contract is crafted, which should be the worst part. Until Nic learns the Serrals' head negotiator is master vowsmith Dashiell sa Vare—beautiful, perfect Dashiell sa Vare—an old flame he has neither forgiven nor forgotten. Nic's only defense is false smiles and too much wine.

When a dead body turns up, tension within the castle thickens. The first death is brushed off as an...