She crossed the winter border to prove love was not a cage. The throne waiting for her had other plans.
Princess Cassia Verano survived the court that called her cursed. She survived the assassin sent to end her. She even survived choosing Eira Talvi, the northern blade who should have been her executioner.
But survival is not freedom.
When Cassia enters Talvmark, she finds a kingdom built from ice, obedience and old vows that never stopped claiming Eira. The White Vow still has teeth. The Winter Throne still remembers what it was made to contain. And Sigrun Kall, the woman who shaped Eira into a weapon, knows exactly how to turn mercy into another form of control.
Eira would burn every order that ever owned her. Cassia would rather break a throne than become one more beautiful prisoner inside it. Together, they must face a northern court that does not believe love makes anyone safe, only useful.
Because the Violet Claim is not finished with Cassia.
And Stillblade has begun to answer back.
