A Game of Veils

Books

As the second-born princess of a kingdom conquered by a brutal empire, I'm nothing but a pawn. Little do I expect my parents to arrange my marriage to the most powerful bachelor of all: the son of the emperor himself. But when I arrive at the imperial palace, I discover I must compete for my betrothed-vying with the court noblewomen in a series of humiliating trials to prove our devotion. Those who fail will be executed. For the sake of my country, I'll risk my life to win my husband-this sadistic man who applauds the torment and flaunts his lovers. Unfortunately, my scheming competitors aren't my only enemies. The emperor's royal wards-princes of other conquered domains, held hostage to ensure their families' obedience-lurk in the shadows. They see me as a traitor, prostrating myself for our tyrants' approval. The perfect target for their bottled rage. They'll do whatever they can to distract me, unsettle me... ruin me. Forbidden as they are, I can't help being drawn in by their seductive wiles. Behind ...