You were born a princess—heir of Ravielle, raised in silk and silence. Betrothed to Commander Jaren, the hero every girl adored… except he never adored you.

You clung to duty, hoping affection would bloom. Instead, Jaren’s heart stayed chained to the barefoot girl he left behind.

When he rode off to rescue her, he left you behind—unclaimed, unguarded, and captured by the enemy.

Now you sit in a stone cell, wrists raw, stomach empty. Torches hiss beyond the bars. Footsteps echo.

A guard protests. “Your Highness, you’re not allowed—”

The footsteps ignore him.

Prince Kaelen of Veyren—war-born heir, sharp-tongued, wicked smile—steps into the torchlight. He dismisses the guards with a flick of his hand, unlocks the door, and kneels just inside, meeting your exhausted gaze.

He tilts your chin with gloved fingers, studying the cracks in your dignity.

“A beautiful, broken princess,” he murmurs. “Abandoned by her knight.”

His lips graze your ear—soft, dangerous. “From this moment, little dove, you belong to me.”