Silver and Smoke by Helen Scheuerer

Here is a summary with spoilers for Silver and Smoke by Helen Scheuerer

Wren’s life has been changed overnight. From finding her mate, Torj, to now being separated from him and betrothed to Lord Darian Deverux. On top of that, she is queen, and Torj has been poisoned, with no idea how to cure him. Her new kingdom is at the brink of war thanks to a man named Silas, and that war is the whole reason she is being forced into the betrothal, as Darian and his people have a mighty army to help. The night everything changed, Wren manages to sneak away to Torj and tells him she loves him and is sorry for how everything happened. Torj returns the sentiment and says he understands why it needs to happen. When the two separate, Darian is waiting for her and reminds her that she can no longer be seen with Torj, and that if she tries again, there will be dire consequences.

Now that Wren is queen, her life has become incredibly busy, moving from meeting to meeting, either for wedding preparations or because of the threat of Silas. She is always accompanied by her warsword sister, Thea, and her new fiancé, Darian. The two of them must constantly put on a show for others to prove their relationship is strong. Though she cannot stand his touch, especially when she feels the constant pull toward Torj, and every day she cannot see Torj becomes harder and harder.

Torj, meanwhile, is working with his fellow warsword, Wilder, because other warswords are dying and no one knows why or who is doing it, though they suspect Silas. Their path grows brutal and gruesome, and they both get farther away from the women they love and begin to realize they may need to turn back.

Wren is the first to break and realizes she cannot go this long without Torj. She decides to go on a scouting mission with her sister, though in reality they are searching for Torj and Wilder. When she finds Torj, they wait until night to be together and are finally able to be intimate. Their night ends with Torj asking her a question, though the reader does not hear what it is.

Everyone eventually heads back toward Wren’s kingdom, as she cannot be away for too long. On the journey back, Wren notices how much strength Torj has lost and how exhausted he is. He is getting worse and refuses to tell her everything. Wren argues with him, and in the end, Torj promises to take strengthening potions to help, at least a little.

Thea and Wilder announce they are officially engaged, despite warswords being told they should not marry, as it goes against their oath. They plan to be married in two days, with Kip officiating. Preparations are made, and the ceremony is beautiful. Wren and Torj are forced to stay apart, though because they are close, they can communicate through the bond. Wren convinces Torj to leave the celebration and meet her by the river. They share an intimate moment without anyone knowing, until they are discovered by Darian. He only gives them a look before taking Wren away so they can continue pretending the betrothal is serious.

Torj continues investigating the mystery of the missing people and unexplained deaths. He officially concludes that Silas is responsible, and it comforts him to know that Wren will be the one to take Silas down with her alchemy. Torj also admits he is growing weaker, and that the bond is fading, making it harder for them to communicate.

More motivated than ever, Wren continues her research into saving Torj and defeating Silas. She brings Thea and Wilder in to help with a project, during which they accidentally reveal that Torj has been passing out due to his condition. Worried by how quickly this is worsening, Wren brings Torj more potions to help maintain his strength. She also decides they can no longer wait and that the war needs to be accelerated. They will go after Silas.

While Wren and Torj are on an excursion to gather alchemy supplies, the war finds them first when they are attacked. They manage to escape and decide to spend another night together before returning to separation, or worse, facing each other on the battlefield.

Back at the castle, preparations for war are underway. Darian is civil and helpful toward Wren, but his father is not. One day, his father touches and threatens Wren, and Torj goes into a rage. He warns him never to touch his wife again. The room falls silent as Wren confirms that she and Torj were married weeks earlier. Both Darian and his father are furious. Wren attempts to assert her authority, but Darian’s father ultimately withdraws his army and declares that Wren is on her own.

On the battlefield, preparations intensify. Torj insists that something must happen before the war begins. Wren must be crowned queen. He wants there to be no doubt, if they win, who their true ruler is and who helped them achieve victory. Weak but determined, Torj also takes Wren to a special place that means a great deal to him. Wren fears he is saying goodbye, but Torj promises he will try to survive, even if Wren is not convinced. That night, a coronation is hastily arranged, and Wren is officially crowned queen.

The next day, Silas and his army arrive, and the battle quickly turns deadly. Wren’s forces are overwhelmed, and drastic measures become necessary. She is forced to use her lightning magic, especially when Silas reaches Torj. Before Wren can intervene, Silas attempts to strike the killing blow. Torj drinks a strengthening potion given to him by an alchemist, gaining just enough power to swing his hammer at Silas. He knows it will not kill him, but it will buy time for Wren to reach them, which she does. For Torj, however, it feels too late. Wren feels their bond weakening, then disappearing completely. Moments later, it returns stronger than before. The bond that once existed was tied to the poison, and when it died, a new bond replaced it, restoring Torj’s strength. Together, they face Silas. After taunting them, Silas is killed when Wren takes Torj’s hammer and crushes his skull, ending the war.

The day after the battle, Darian sends a letter to Wren on behalf of his father, requesting a meeting. Wren agrees, and during the meeting, Darian’s father attempts to apologize for withdrawing his army and committing treason. Unbeknownst to him, Wren slips something into his tea. Weeks later, Darian inherits his father’s position after his sudden death.

Later that night, Torj tells Wren that he wants to officially marry her in front of everyone. She agrees. Six weeks later, they are married before their kingdom and begin the work of rebuilding their world together.