Are you ready to claim your destiny?

A woman who wields magical tarot cards lands herself in a false engagement with the headmaster of a mysterious academy in this first installment of an enthralling romantic fantasy series from the bestselling author of A Deal with the Elf King.

Clara Graysword has survived the underworld of Eclipse City through thievery, luck, and a whole lot of illegal magic.

After a job goes awry, Clara is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for inking tarot cards — a rare power reserved for practitioners at the elite Arcana Academy. Just when it seems her luck has run dry, the academy’s enigmatic headmaster, Prince Kaelis, offers her an escape — for a price.

Kaelis believes that Clara is the perfect tool to help him steal a tarot card from the king and use it to re-create an all-powerful card long lost to time.

In order to conceal her identity and keep her close, Kaelis brings Clara to Arcana Academy, introducing her as the newest first-year student and his bride-to-be.

Thrust into a world of arcane magic and royal intrigue, where one misstep will send her back to prison or worse, Clara finds that the prince she swore to hate may not be what he seems. But can she risk giving him power over the world — and her heart?
Or will she take it for herself?

TROPES
Fake engagement
Slow burn
Enemies to lovers
Forced proximity
Magical school
Morally gray
Girlboss x cold royal x

READERS ARE LOVING IT
‘A stellar start to the series’ ★★★★★
‘Absolutely wrecked me, in the best way’ ★★★★★
‘Let me tell you, this romance does BURN’ ★★★★★
‘This was so well crafted, and had me turning page after page’ ★★★★★
‘A fresh voice in an oversaturated world of dark academia romantasy’ ★★★★★