The Never List by Jade Presley

Rylee Gray has one mission: to find out what happened to her sister. But with her low status, getting answers is difficult. She decides to have her friends, Ivy and Lacy, forge documents so she can enter something called the Choosing Ceremony. If she can get in, she’ll gain access to the Never List—a list of missions that Demi's (what Rylee and her sister are) are sent on. Essentially, it’s a death list. But if her sister’s name is on it, at least Rylee will know what happened to her.

On her way into the Choosing Ceremony, Rylee runs into a man named Turner, who takes advantage of her. She has to play dumb and promises to meet up with him later that night. She then meets Ivy, gets her forged documents, and learns more about the ceremony. For the past six years, the four princes have attempted to choose and share a mate, but have failed each time.

Jax, one of the princes, meets with his father, who tells him they cannot fail this year. If they don’t choose correctly, there will be consequences. The four princes—Jax (the Nightmare), Axl (the Player), Pierce (the Mind), and Kal (the Dreamer)—meet together. They’re all under pressure from their fathers, but the burden mostly falls on Jax, as this is his year to choose.

At the ceremony, the princes are introduced, and Rylee makes a few offhand comments about the kings. A mysterious masked man overhears and finds her amusing. Rylee seizes her opportunity and sneaks into the office that holds the Never List. Her sister’s name isn’t on it. Before she can process that, the same masked man finds her, escorts her out, and they share a dance.

Then, the ceremony begins and the masked man turns out to be one of the princes. To Rylee’s shock, they choose her to be the next potential mate.

She panics. She wasn’t officially invited to the event, and as a Demi, it’s against the rules for her to interact with the princes, known across the kingdoms as the Legends of Chaos. Rylee realizes she has no choice but to lie. Ivy and Lacy advise her: make the princes fall in love with her. That way, when the truth comes out, they’ll protect her.

Her first test comes immediately. She must tell the kings her real name and hope they don’t look into her background. They don’t. Her next task is to consent to intimacy with the princes. She refuses, which actually passes the test. She is then officially permitted to meet the Legends of Chaos.

The four princes are excited and hopeful that she might be the one, someone who won’t run off like the last six did. They explain what happens next: over the next four months, Rylee will spend one month with each prince. She will live with them, and the kings may assign her challenges. Although Jax chose her, he doesn’t trust her, he can sense lies and knows she’s hiding something. He refuses to go first, so Rylee chooses Kal, believing he’ll be the kindest.

Rylee is shown to her room and introduced to her maid, Mirren. But Rylee doesn’t want much help, she has a mark on her neck she must keep hidden, and she wants to make her own statements through her clothing. Mirren surprises her by being kind and supportive. Rylee learns that past girls never asked questions.

Rylee spends her first day with Kal exploring his city. She loves it, especially the people, the food, and even him. They share a kiss and their first intimate moment. Their day together goes well, until Kal and the other princes are suddenly called away. No one tells Rylee why, and she’s left alone and anxious. When Kal returns, she’s both relieved and angry.

While she helps him clean up, Kal explains that the reason they need a mate is because it’s the only way they can access their powers from their goddess mothers. There's a lot riding on Rylee, but he assures her they’ll never force a bond.

Weeks go by, and Rylee and Kal grow even closer. They share many stories, and although Rylee still hasn’t fully opened up, she’s thought about it. One day, while walking through the city, Rylee sees a street painting, she knows it’s her sister’s work. The message on it says, Forget me. Rylee asks Kal how old the painting is; he says it’s about six months old, giving her hope.

With only two days left with Kal, the Legends of Chaos meet to discuss her. Kal shares what he’s learned, and Axl, who’s next, is excited. Jax still doesn’t trust her and warns the others to be cautious.

On one of their last nights, Kal takes Rylee on a date. She’s genuinely happy. At a dinner with Kal and his father, it’s revealed that Rylee is from a poor area and has lived there her whole life, Rylee realizes Ivy must’ve changed her records to say that. It also says her parents died on a Never List mission, and her sister is still listed as active. This is the first time Kal hears about her sister.

Then, Rylee faces a trial, she must judge a man who broke the law. She chooses to send him to prison, but instead, they make him jump out a window to his death.

Rylee is then handed over to Axl. Although she’s now with him, she still longs for Kal. Before Axl can spend real time with her, he’s called away by sailors with a problem. Rylee offers to help, if she succeeds, he’ll owe her a favor. Despite nearly drowning, she wins, and Axl promises to help.

She finally tells him what she wants: to find her sister. Axl and Kal leave quickly to search for answers. When they return, all four princes come to her. They say her sister never went on a mission. Jax continues to investigate and discovers Rylee’s records are forged but they don’t know which parts or who altered them.

Rylee and Axl grow close. He takes her to his mother’s temple and confesses he’s in love with her. He gives her his token of love.

Then it’s time for her month with Pierce. Before they get to know each other, an invasion occurs. Pierce goes to defend his people, and Rylee insists on helping. All of the Legends of Chaos fight too, with Jax by her side the entire time. After the battle, the princes ask if this life is what she truly wants and offer her a chance to leave. She refuses. She and Pierce return home, and he takes care of her. He tells her he’s already falling for her, simply because she protected his people. He also promises not to read her mind without permission.

Pierce asks what she truly wants. Rylee says she wants to see Ivy and Lacy. He arranges it, and they spend a joyful afternoon together until Pierce’s father arrives. He interrogates Rylee and gives her a choice: reject the Legends of Chaos, and he’ll find her sister, give her money, and help her escape to a new life. As tempting as it is, Rylee realizes she’s fallen in love with the four men and can’t abandon them. She refuses his offer.

When Pierce returns, she offers to show him the conversation by opening her mind. He is deeply moved, and the rest of their time together is full of warmth.

Rylee’s final month is with Jax the one she fears most. When she finds him, he’s at a club flirting with another girl. Upset, she storms out, only to run into Turner again. He starts getting handsy with her, but Jax steps in, humiliates Turner, and claims Rylee as his.

Jax brings Rylee to his home, and they share a few nights together. After two weeks, Rylee decides it’s time to tell the truth. She admits she is a Demi. She explains that the recent attacks are likely caused by her people, but she has no involvement. She opens her mind completely for Pierce to verify, but he already knew. The Legends are all understanding and assure her they trust her.

The four of them share a magical moment, strengthening their bond.

The final trial approaches. Mirren and the princes warn her not to do it, it might kill her, but Rylee insists. She loves them all, and this is how she proves it.

At the trial, Rylee drinks a vial. She has a brief vision, then collapses. The Legends panic: she’s not waking up. In desperation, they each drink the same potion and are transported to see their goddess mothers. To bring Rylee back, they must give up their magic. All four agree.

When they wake, there is chaos and battle outside. Rylee still hasn’t awakened—her spirit must choose whether to return. Eventually, she does.

During the fight, Rylee spots one of the enemy leaders. She follows and attacks—only to discover it’s her sister. (Note: possibly Erin? I listened to the audio book - not sure how to spell it) Erin stabs Rylee, and the four princes cradle her as she begins to fade.