Royals of Embermere Series by Lucia Ashta

Win the trials, earn a crown—or fail and lose everything. The heir of Embermere has unexpectedly died, and now a new prince and princess must be crowned. I’ve been hiding out with the dragons, but then mysterious fae show up at the dragons’ stronghold and abduct me at the King’s command. The royals of Embermere are hosting the Fae Heir Trials to find their successors. The winners will marry and become the next to rule the fae lands... moreWin the trials, earn a crown—or fail and lose everything. The heir of Embermere has unexpectedly died, and now a new prince and princess must be crowned. I’ve been hiding out with the dragons, but then mysterious fae show up at the dragons’ stronghold and abduct me at the King’s command. The royals of Embermere are hosting the Fae Heir Trials to find their successors. The winners will marry and become the next to rule the fae lands. Turns out I’m the King’s illegitimate daughter and the wicked queen intends to kill me off during the challenges. I find myself thrust into a barbaric tournament where death is all but guaranteed. I’m competing against the most gorgeous, deadly fae warriors of the realm. Determined, agile men who’ve been training to claim this chance all their lives—including clan leader Rush Vega. Rush Vega is the Crown’s favorite, devastatingly charming and dangerously tempting. His combat skills and dark secrets will be my undoing. With my survival on the line, my heart must resist his pull and those intriguing moonlight eyes. He’s the queen’s spy, and that makes him my number one enemy. My life might have become a game of savage brutality, but the Queen of Embermere underestimated me. I was born a fighter. And I intend to win. less

Win the trials, lose those I love—or fail and save them all. I barely survived my first trials. Now the stakes have been raised. The queen has imprisoned my only family to control me after I defied her. I’d hoped my father the king would become an ally, but he won’t dare betray the queen. Luckily, it turns out I’m not the only one who wants to see her fall. I’m fighting on all fronts, trying to stay alive through the trials while also joining the rebellion's fight... moreWin the trials, lose those I love—or fail and save them all. I barely survived my first trials. Now the stakes have been raised. The queen has imprisoned my only family to control me after I defied her. I’d hoped my father the king would become an ally, but he won’t dare betray the queen. Luckily, it turns out I’m not the only one who wants to see her fall. I’m fighting on all fronts, trying to stay alive through the trials while also joining the rebellion's fight. As further complication, the pull I feel toward Rush is becoming harder to resist. The bond between us seems to be growing, but his allegiance to the queen persists. I’m not the only one she has leverage over. Each trial grows more dangerous while the queen only appears more and more untouchable. She thinks she’s on top and has already won. She forgot those on top have the farthest to fall. I’m determined to reveal to the mirror world who—and what—she really is. I will be her downfall. less

Escape the trials, lose the crown—or rebel, risking everything to save the realm.I've exposed the queen for the tyrant she is. Now it's time to show the kingdom of Embermere who I am.A rebellion has been gathering force against the queen. It needs only a spark to gain momentum. It needs the secret heir.First, I must survive the Wilds—savage, brutal, and even more dangerous than the queen herself. No one enters its ancient, slithering forests unless they have no better choice... moreEscape the trials, lose the crown—or rebel, risking everything to save the realm.I've exposed the queen for the tyrant she is. Now it's time to show the kingdom of Embermere who I am.A rebellion has been gathering force against the queen. It needs only a spark to gain momentum. It needs the secret heir.First, I must survive the Wilds—savage, brutal, and even more dangerous than the queen herself. No one enters its ancient, slithering forests unless they have no better choice.Joined by dragon-shifter Xeno, dragonling Saffron, goblin Pru, and fellow fae-trial contenders, I’m not alone. But every shadow in the Wilds crawls with horrible, giant monsters. Out here, we’re no longer just trained warriors. We’re prey.It’s more important than ever that I unearth the power that simmers in my veins so I can return to the palace and claim my royal birthright.I once thought the drake Rush Vega was my ally. Even worse, I believed him to be my mate.But then he committed the ultimate betrayal. He broke what can never be mended. Once the queen’s spy, forever my enemy.Whatever it takes, whomever I must fight, I’ll end her wicked games and free her subjects.The mirror world might not have been my home to start, but I’m not quitting until I save it. less