No Crown, No Mercy

Elowen Wray was given to the Lord of Ironwood as tribute — a living apology from her family to his. She came to his castle with poison in her sleeve and a mother's name on her lips. She intended to be a widow by morning. Rhys Vane drank the wine, set the glass down, and told her to try again tomorrow. What follows is no marriage and no mercy — just two people who each thought they were the only victim of the same war, learning otherwise one lie at a time. The regent who orphaned them both is still alive, and he still wants Elowen's blood for what it opens. She can play the captive bride, or she can play the widow, and either way there is no crown waiting for her at the end of it.