When an empress summons you to find her exiled sister's descendants, you don't exactly have the luxury of saying no—especially when you're already convinced your partner is impossible to work with. Lee Mallorough has spent years tolerating Shintaro Karish's infuriating charm and recklessness, but this mission might finally test even her patience as they're sent on a quest that demands they work in perfect sync. What unfolds is a delightful dance of banter, slowly-simmering tension, and the kind of forced proximity that makes you realize your worst enemy might be exactly who you need. If you love fantasy romance with dynamic magical partnerships, witty bickering that masks deeper feelings, and adventure that keeps you turning pages, this is absolutely the book for you.

Reading soundtrack

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yearningdefiantsmolderingenchantedtender

Blend fantasy orchestral elements with indie folk and sultry R&B—think lush strings meeting intimate acoustic guitar. Capture the tension of forced partnership, slow-burn chemistry, and banter that masks deeper feeling. Ethereal yet grounded, longing yet defiant.

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