“You know you’re my girl, Smudge. You’ll always be my best friend and my second in command. No matter who wins your heart, I trust you with my life.”

Edaris, heir to the Briar Kingdom, has everything a prince could want—power, privilege, and a future written in stone. But no amount of royal training or political intrigue prepared him for the moment his childhood best friend, Aelis, became the one thing he could no longer ignore.

Aelis Starblood is no stranger to duty, danger, or keeping her emotions locked away. As her mysterious powers awaken, she becomes not just a strategist and spy but a weapon the kingdom may one day wield. Yet her greatest battle may be against the bond pulling her closer to Edaris—a bond that defies titles, tradition, and the boundaries of friendship.

When betrayal strikes from within the kingdom and a brewing conflict threatens everything they’ve sworn to protect, Edaris and Aelis must confront the truth: their connection runs deeper than either dared to admit. Caught between their growing love and their duty to their kingdom, they face an impossible choice.