Long ago, the world was destroyed by gods. Only nine cities were spared. Separated by vast wilderness teeming with monsters and unimaginable dangers, each city is now ruled by a guardian—royalty who feed on mortal pleasure.
Born with an intuition that never fails, Calista knows her talents are of great value to the power-hungry of the world, so she lives hidden as a courtesan of the Baron of Archwood. In exchange for his protection, she grants him information.
When her intuition leads her to save a traveling prince in dire trouble, the voice inside her blazes with warning—and promise. Today he’ll bring her joy. One day he'll be her doom.
When the Baron takes an interest in the traveling prince and the prince takes an interest in Calista, she becomes the prince’s temporary companion. But the city simmers with rebellion, and with knights and monsters at her city gates and a hungry prince in her bed, intuition may not be enough to keep her safe.
Calista must choose: follow her intuition to safety or follow her heart to her downfall.
Why You Should Read This Book
Tropes
Trigger Warnings
Fall of Ruin and Wrath
“I’m a favorite of the Baron’s. He would be most displeased if you were to break me.”
“I don’t have to find release to feel pleasure. The most exquisite kind of pleasure is derived from bestowing it upon another.”
“Did you know that the Hyhborn are known for climaxes that can last for hours—actual hours?”
“You just close your eyes. Like you did last night, when your fingers were between your thighs and your mouth was on my cock. Just close your eyes and feel.”
“Na’laa. You should’ve known better than to run. I will always catch you.”
“If you’re one of the Baron’s favorites and he sent you to service me, then you know exactly how you are servicing me at the moment.”
“You do know that Hyhborn cannot tell a lie.”
“I am not a possession. I am owned by no one.”
“Someone sounds like they had the common sense fucked out of them.”
“But if he thinks that I’m just going to submit and make this easy for him? He has another thing coming.”
“But as with most things that are beautiful on the outside, there is nothing but ruin and wrath on the inside.”
“You’re like a favored hound, you know that, right? The way he has you seated by his feet.”
“My heart hasn’t beat in a long time, not as it would for a mortal.”
“After all, one cannot ask others to fight for their homes and lives if one is not willing to fight oneself.”
“At one time, I welcomed soft and shapely women entering my chambers, expected or not, but that was before more than one had come into possession of a lunea blade and entered my chambers with the intentions of drawing my blood and enriching themselves.”
“I want to feel you come on my fingers, na’laa.”
“Anyway, as I was saying, I don’t have to work myself to death in the mines or cleaning up after others. Nor do I have to marry to feel secure. I choose what I do with my days and with whom. Besides, I like fucking and being fucked.”
“It’s actually not complicated. The Princess believes that it is time for a queen instead of a king to rule.”
Subscribe to Late Night Reads Weekly Newsletter
Get early access to our TBR list, podcast episodes, bonus content, irresistible book recommendations, and so much more!
