
Every thousand years, the barrier between the human realm and the Shadow Court weakens. A mortal woman, Alina, is chosen as the 'Veilbound'—a living sacrifice meant to keep the realms apart. But when the Shadow Prince, Kael, comes to claim her, he doesn’t kill her. Instead, he marks her as his consort to secure his throne. Bound by an unbreakable vow, Alina is forced into a world of treacherous courts, forbidden magic, and seductive power struggles. The deeper she falls into Kael’s world, the more she questions whether she’s the prisoner…or the key to unleashing something far darker.

The bonfires burned low, their smoke curling like dark fingers into the night sky. Alina stood at the edge of the circle, her palms slick with sweat as the Veil Priestess lifted her arms, chanting words that made the air taste like iron and ash. The gathered villagers held their breath, every face pale, every set of eyes darting nervously toward the flames. “Step forward,” Serenya commanded, her voice carrying a cruel sweetness that prickled across Alina’s skin. “The Veil will choose its vessel.” No one moved. The silence stretched, broken only by the crackle of wood and the restless whispers of the wind. Alina swallowed hard, pressing her nails into her palms. She hadn’t even wanted to attend the ritual, but absence was not allowed. Every girl her age had to stand within the circle, to
