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by Sunya Mara (Author)
"An exquisite jewel of a book." --Ava Reid, #1 New York Times bestselling author of A Study in Drowning
In this sweeping romantic fantasy, a dangerous deal binds a young jeweler's apprentice to the mysterious Serpent King in a marriage of convenience, thrusting her into a deadly game between the cunning, fearsome ruler and his rebellious huntsman. Perfect for fans of The Wrath & the Dawn and Once Upon a Broken Heart!
The Serpent King is the most eligible bachelor in the land: a monster with dark and terrible magic and the ruler of the last free kingdom. Riches and power await his future bride--but so does a life forever trapped in the games of court.
That fate is eighteen-year-old Saphira's worst nightmare. Ever since the Empire made her an orphan, she's found freedom in being invisible. So despite her rare gift for harnessing the magic in gemstones, she lets an unscrupulous jewelsmith take credit for her increasingly sought-after work.
But when the king sends his most clever huntsman to find the best jewelsmith of all, the spotlight lands on Saphira. Faced with choosing between falling into the Empire's grasp or marrying a monster, she chooses the latter -- even if it means getting increasingly caught between her cold, serpentine husband and his cunning, handsome huntsman.
She chose the monster to escape the Empire, but what new dangers await her in the Serpent King's court?
- Marriage of Convenience: She agrees to marry a monster to save herself, but finds the Serpent King is colder and more serpentine than she ever imagined.
- Enemies to Lovers: Saphira fears her monstrous new husband, but the greatest threat in the palace might be the unexpected connection she feels for the king she's supposed to hate.
- Forced Proximity: Trapped in the royal court, she can't escape the king's piercing gaze or the attention of his handsome, clever huntsman who seems to be watching her every move.
- A Unique Magic System: A world where magic is harnessed from gemstones, and Saphira's secret talent as a jeweler is the one thing that could save her--or get her killed.
