The Barter of Crowns

Her father sent her to buy peace. He was ordered to keep her alive. Neither was supposed to become the other's reason to survive.

Princess Rhyne of Caer-Lora has always known her value to her kingdom.

A treaty. A marriage. A crown.

She crosses the border as a transaction and arrives to a palace where courtesy is a weapon and generosity a leash. Her future husband has a throne to claim, and his court has already decided what to do with its new princess.

Rhyne is simply expected to let them.

In a court of shifting allegiances, he is her one fixed point. Elijah of Caer-Lora, who wears the title of war-hound like a borrowed coat that never quite fit. His skin is a map of old battles, each scar a word in a story she’s still learning to read. She calls him her hound—a quiet claim in a place that trades everything. He holds her safety as his only vow.

But where power is currency and mercy a weakness, even devotion has its price.

As coronation day approaches, old wounds between kingdoms split open. Favors become threats. Whispers become rebellion. And the peace Rhyne was sacrificed to secure begins to look increasingly like a noose.

Soon, obedience will no longer be enough to keep her alive.

Rhyne must decide whether to become the queen they bargained for-or risk blood, war, and everything she has left to topple a king.

She was traded for a crown. She may bring the kingdom down instead.

The Barter of Crowns begins a dark epic fantasy trilogy of warring kingdoms, political marriage, court intrigue, betrayal, fierce loyalty, and an achingly slow-burn bond between a princess and the guard who would bleed to keep her alive.

Princess + bodyguard • Forbidden love • Slow-burn yearning • Brother’s best friend • Touch her and die • Hurt/comfort