King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St Clair

Isolde, princess of Lara, is arranged to marry Adrian, the feared King of Blood and ruler of Revekka, as a last resort to prevent him from conquering her homeland. From the start, their relationship is fraught with tension and confusion. Despite Adrian’s terrifying reputation, he shows unexpected kindness toward Isolde, leaving her questioning his motives and why he chose her specifically.

As Isolde navigates her new life, she uncovers shocking truths about her father and the kingdom she thought she knew. She learns that her father concealed the enslavement of her mother’s homeland, Nalani, and that his rule has been far from honorable. These revelations begin to shift her perspective, softening her hostility toward Adrian and opening her eyes to the complex history of Revekka.

Isolde also begins to piece together the story of the Burning, a tragedy in which the coven of witches was massacred by the former king, Dragos, for refusing to let him invade another land. Her dreams reveal glimpses of these historical events—and Adrian’s connection to them.

Amidst these discoveries, the kingdom faces a new threat: Ravena, an old witch wielding the crimson mist, a horrifying force that skins its victims alive and possesses others. The mist’s attacks grow more frequent and devastating, further complicating the fragile dynamics between Isolde and Adrian.

As Isolde grows closer to Adrian, she realizes she’s falling in love with him, even as she grapples with her loyalty to her father and her people. However, Lara’s true plan comes to light: Isolde was meant to kill Adrian all along. The situation becomes even more dire when Adrian feeds on Isolde, unlocking her forgotten memories and binding their lives together through a divine curse—if she dies, so does Adrian.

In a moment of misplaced trust, Isolde reveals to her father that Adrian can only be killed by killing her. This knowledge leads to betrayal. During a crimson mist attack, her father attempts to kill her to eliminate Adrian, and Ravena strikes as well. In the ensuing chaos, Isolde is forced to make an impossible choice—she kills her father and manages to wound Ravena, though the witch escapes.

The book ends with Isolde and Adrian resolving to hunt down Ravena and free the enslaved people of Nalani, united by purpose and their growing love, but shadowed by the lingering consequences of betrayal and war.