A Court This Cruel and Lovely - Stacia Stark

n nFor years, when I fell asleep, I dreamed of a man with blazing green eyes and a cruel smile.n n nn nThe day I meet him, the ruthless mercenary leaves me for dead.n nJust hours after humans are born, the gods take what little power we have. In return, they protect our borders from the vicious, merciless fae.n nThe humans who manage to keep their power are known as the corrupt.n n nn nAnd they are burned.n n nn nWhen my forbidden power is discovered, I'm forced to flee my tiny village and the life I adore.n n nn nTo survive, I make a desperate bargain with the mercenary who abandoned me at my weakest.n n nn nOur deal is simple: I'll help him and his mysterious friends sneak into the city. And he'll help me learn to wield the strange, dark power I've always kept hidden.

The power that may just be the key to my survival.n n nn nBut the ruthless mercenary is hiding secrets of his own. Secrets that threaten the safety of everyone I love. Secrets that could tear this kingdom-and perhaps even this world-apart.n