Title Page

Dedication

To every reader who decided to give this book a shot. Apologies in advance.

SUBJECT MATTER

The following content can be found in this book. Please note that this list contains SPOILERS.

• Fae/Half-Human
• Size Difference
• Royalty
• Dirty Talk
• Going On An Adventure
• Soulmates
• Established Relationship
• Protective MC
• Magic & Spells
• Happy For Now-ish (the MCs are happy and in love, but a few elements of their story will be concluded in book four)
• Lots of Fluff & Banter
• Neurodivergent MC & BC
• Low/Medium Spice (there is a mix of fade to black scenes and explicit sex scenes)
• Self Discovery
• He Talks Him Through It
• Found Family
• Angst
• Sex While Flying
• Past Banishment
• Poisoning
• Bathing
• Pet Names Used (both in sexual and non-sexual scenarios; “little one” is used often; “pet” is used in a British term-of-endearment way, not derogatory or kinky)
• Mild Self-Esteem Issues
• Very Briefly Referenced Past Child Abuse (background character had food withheld when he was a child, but the event is not described in detail)
• Broken Mating Bonds
• Mentioned Depression/Suicidal Thoughts
• Breeding Kink (MC likes the idea of getting his mate pregnant; mpreg is not a possibility in this universe)
• Mentioned Reproduction (MCs discuss the prospect of having children, but no conclusion is given in this book)
• Lingerie (babydoll night-dress)
• “Good Boy” (used sparingly)
• Mentioned War & War Planning
• Brief Seizure (not explicitly described)
• Very Brief Water Incident (background character falls in the shallow end of a pool and panics; he is not in danger)
• Ambush/Fighting
• Mild Blood & Injury
• Very Descriptive Character Death & Grieving
• Briefly Mentioned Self-Harm Scars
• Explicit Language/Swearing
• Mentioned Kidnapping
• Bigotry
• Possessiveness
• Electrocution (background character uses magic electrical currents as a defibrillator)
• Very Slight Plot Cliffhanger (this book ends with the intention of the next installment tying everything up)
• Anxiety & Anxious Thoughts
• MC Needs Reassurance Often
• Panic Attack

INTRODUCTION

Please be advised that the Veiled City series must be read in order as many minor background elements as well as the overarching plot will not be resolved until book four. Rest assured, each main pairing will have their happily ever after by the end.

Prologue

TWENTY-SIX YEARS AGO

“No, no, no,” I cried, wrestling against the guard’s clutch as they hauled me from the Veil. “You can’t do this. I have done nothing wrong!”

My mate would be waiting for me in our usual spot behind the library, away from prying eyes, wearing one of her ankle-length dresses dotted with flowers, her red plaits hanging down her back. Every week we would meet and spend hours eluding the king’s spies and savoring what little time we had to spare, but today, I wouldn’t show up.

She will think the worst.

I was forced to my knees in front of the dais, my hair tugged roughly until my neck arched. My gaze landed on the looming figure atop his opulent pedestal, his sharp features set in a callous mask, yet his black eyes burned with outrage.