In the brutal aftermath of a human-changeling war, a twist of fate throws two enemies together to fight for their love and survival in a sweeping dark fantasy of betrayal, magic, and romance.

In the centuries-long battle between humans and changelings, those who are taken by the changelings do not live. They do not return. They are simply gone. And for the humans left behind, there is only the brutal reign of the Irskan king.

Having spent her life in the castle, Fionna has protected herself and her younger sister by securing a position as a servant. But when the rebels mistake Fionna for the Irskan princess, she becomes a hostage of Helio, the cruel changeling leader whose mismatched eyes haunt her dreams. Drawn to Helio even as she attempts to escape the rebels, Fionna finds herself questioning everything she once believed about his cause.

For Helio, undying loyalty to the rebels saved him from the ravages of war. But his hostage blunder has put his people in peril. He may possess secret magic, but even he is not immune to Fionna’s charms. Uncovering what she knows about the castle may prove to be his most dangerous mission yet.

In this sweeping dark fantasy, a dangerous game of love, loyalty, and betrayal will decide the fate of a nation.

© 2026 by Emberly Ash, all rights reserved.