He is the Kingdom's executioner. She is the thief who stole his signet ring.

To save her dying sister, Kaelen steals from the wrong man. When she lifts a ring from a cloaked stranger in a tavern, she doesn't realize she just robbed Prince Rion, the "Onyx Prince," known for executing traitors before breakfast.

Caught and dragged to the High Court, Kaelen expects death. Instead, Rion offers her a bargain.

He needs a thief to infiltrate the Sun Court's deadly trials-a competition for noble brides-to steal a relic that can overthrow his tyrant father. If she succeeds, her sister gets the cure. If she fails, she dies.

But the trials are brutal, and keeping her cover means living in Rion's quarters. Sharing his strategy. Sharing his air. And eventually, sharing his bed.

As the lines between hatred and desire blur, Kaelen realizes the relic isn't just a stone. It's the key to a power she didn't know she had-and Rion is the only one standing between her and the slaughter.

Kill the King. Steal the Crown. Don't fall in love.

The Onyx Bargain is the first book in The Obsidian Crown trilogy, a high-heat, fast-paced romantic fantasy series. Perfect for fans of morally grey villains, "touch her and die" vibes, and shadow magic.