Power was never meant to be crowned. Elara Veyne was born to heal-not to rule, not to destroy. But when her blood awakens an ancient magic buried beneath the kingdoms, she becomes the one thing the courts fear most: a woman who cannot be controlled. Kael Dravenyx is the Shadow King-cursed, ruthless, and forged by centuries of restraint. Bound to darkness and stripped of mercy, he has ruled through fear alone... until Elara touches his power and stills the curse no one else survived. Their bond is forbidden. Dangerous. Irreversible. As Sacred Stones begin to shatter and the courts march toward war, Elara must choose between saving the man she loves-or ending the crowns that have bled the world dry. Because some magic was never meant to be ruled. And some love is powerful enough to unmake kingdoms. This book ends on a devastating cliffhanger. Perfect for fans of: - Dark fantasy romance - Enemies to lovers - Morally gray heroes - Blood magic and ancient curses - Slow-burn tension with high emotional stakes - Epic worlds ruled by dangerous courts