Forbidden love could turn the tide of war...or destroy the last hope of freedom. Ilya Valerious was born to rule the city-state of Sorrena in her mother's footsteps-until the tyrannical emperor conquered her homeland. Held hostage to ensure her people's obedience by the emperor's first captain, Lucien, she plots a dangerous gambit to free her people: seduce the captain, source information for a growing rebel movement, and take them all down from within. Beyond Lucien's fearsome, masked appearance and powerful magic is a man trying to fulfill the emperor's promise of peace and prosperity. A task that would be easier if the captive heirs under his watch would finally submit to the emperor's rule. One in particular, Ilya, breathes defiance despite Lucien's efforts to protect her from herself and win her to the emperor's side. She's a dangerous temptation he can ill afford, especially as she starts to uncover long-buried secrets that have him questioning not only his own past and his role in the empire, but the emperor he's sworn his life to. When the fate of an empire rests on a knife's edge, Ilya and Lucien must decide if their blossoming love is worth sacrificing everything they've worked for. But only if the emperor doesn't kill them first. This enemies-to-lovers epic fantasy romance filled with warring kingdoms, magic, life-changing romance, and intrigue will appeal to fans of The Bridge Kingdom and The Serpent and the Wings of Night.