The Zheninghai Chronicles

Princess Meiling harbors a deadly secret. Her people believe her lack of magic to be a curse, so she has spent her life in the background, all but shunned from court. But she does have magic—and it’s the magic of legends. When the secret of her magic is threatened, she is forced to flee her home into the dangerous wilderness with nothing but a begrudging warrior as protection. Handsome and taciturn Tan Shangdi isn’t happy to have his career waylaid, but he will do whatever it takes to fulfill his duty and protect Meiling with his life.

Imprisoned in an enemy fortress, Meiling finds herself at the mercy of a ruthless captor. Having spent the last decade preparing his forces, Fang Zedong is determined to make Meiling use her magic to betray her empire. And he will use whatever means necessary to make her bend to his will. Shang, wounded and awaiting execution, doesn’t waste a second in his own prison. Under the cover of darkness, he makes his daring escape—swearing he will find the princess he once hated and destroy anyone who hurt her. Even if it costs him his life.

Finally back home, Meiling finds that returning to her old life as the cursed princess is harder than she imagined. She’s told to rest and recover from her harrowing time in the enemy’s fortress and enjoy the week-long festival. She can’t. Not when Shang faces losing everything—including his life—because of her. She won’t rest until he is pardoned, but that is easier said than done in a world that still believes her cursed.

Finally back home, Meiling finds that returning to her old life as the cursed princess is harder than she imagined. She’s told to rest and recover from her harrowing time in the enemy’s fortress and enjoy the week-long festival.