Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

Here is a summary with spoilers for Warrior Princess Assassin by Brigid Kemmerer

Princess Jory is preparing for her arranged marriage, and she is not happy about it. But her kingdom and her family need this alliance. This particular marriage was orchestrated by her brother, Prince Dane, who has been handling the kingdom’s problems while their father grows sick. Not only that, Jory and her family have a secret to keep: none of the magic was passed down to the children, and their father’s magic is slowly fading. The night before she is to meet her betrothed, the famous ruthless warrior king, she starts thinking about her old best friend, Asher.

Asher has been a comfort to her for many years. Their mothers both died in the same carriage accident, but Asher’s mother was found guilty of treason, and Asher was taken down with her. Still, he found ways to visit Jory as often as he could. That night, he did the same. Asher tells her that she can be strong and that everything will work out. But when Jory wakes up, she finds that Asher left a maid’s uniform next to her. In case she wants out of the marriage, she can use it to sneak away.

Jory decides to use the uniform, not to run away, but to see if she can find her soon-to-be husband. Instead, she finds her brother Dane. He is furious that she is out of her room and grabs her. As Dane drags her away, another man steps in: King Maddox Kyronan. He tells Dane that even though she is his sister, she is soon to be his wife, and he should let her go. Dane and Jory end up having a good conversation, and Jory no longer feels scared about marrying him. She starts to think the marriage could work.

Meanwhile, Asher goes to his job at the Hunter’s Guild as an assassin and receives a new target: Princess Jory. They were paid in King Kyronan’s currency, leading Asher to believe that the king put a hit out on his bride-to-be. Not only that, because it is such a high-profile job, multiple hunters are being sent to kill Jory. Asher runs straight to her to tell her everything and tries to sneak her out, but Jory wants answers from Ky. So they go to his room, and instead of questioning him, Asher ties up the king and kidnaps him. The three flee the castle together.

When they reach a small building, they are finally able to talk. Ky feels betrayed and foolish that he let Jory trick him. But he is shocked that someone put a hit out on her and that it might be one of his own people. Meanwhile, Jory doesn’t know what to think. She is torn between her loyalty and what Asher has just done. Asher believes they should kill Ky and leave, yet strangely, he seems drawn toward the king. Their decision is made for them when Ky escapes and gathers his men to capture Asher and Jory, taking them back to the castle.

Prince Dane is furious that Jory ruined her betrothal, but Ky tells him he will temporarily accept the situation. However, Jory must come with him to his home for the next month. If she can see herself there, then the betrothal will continue. Dane and the king tell Jory she has no choice. Dane then punishes Asher by placing a one-million-coin loan on his name, a debt he will have to work off. Asher is devastated, but Ky speaks up and claims Asher as his own prisoner, taking him to his kingdom.

While traveling, Jory is upset with everything, but her anger fades into sadness when Asher begins to tell her what he has suffered since childhood. He was used and abused sexually, which is why he avoids physical touch. He worked hard to escape the brothels, fueled by his hatred of being used by those he once thought were his friends at the castle. But his only option afterward was to kill. He despises the choices he has made, and on top of that, Dane branded his skin to mark him as a prisoner. Ky gives Asher the space to process, while Jory is shocked and heartbroken to realize her best friend endured all this without her knowing.

The next day of traveling is tense, even more so when they are attacked. They spend the night in the forest, where Ky and Jory share a moment together, unaware that Asher is watching the whole time.

The trio and Ky’s men continue on until they come across a city on fire. Jory insists they help. Ky’s men tell him to stay back, but he refuses. After securing the fire and rescuing people, the situation turns violent when the townsfolk demand Ky’s death. Jory is confused, believing everyone loved their king, but it turns out his people are suffering and believe his magic is the cause. Jory takes a moment with the townspeople and proves to them that their king is not to blame.

They all make it safely to the castle, and Ky is able to visit his sister, who seems unstable. Her magic is erratic, as is her mind, but Ky loves her all the same. He shares this with Asher and Jory, and Jory decides to reveal her own secret: the magic in her kingdom is fading. Ky decides they need to renegotiate their alliance on their own terms and also include Asher. The three end up sharing an intimate moment and begin sleeping in the same bed every night. It gives Asher the space to have a relationship on his own terms, something Ky is adamant about.

The trio enjoy their little bubble together until they are attacked one night. Jory’s new friend is responsible; she let the guards in and admits she is working with Prince Dane. With Dane’s move, Ky sees this as the start of war. Jory decides she agrees with Ky and sides with him. She now wants her brother dead and considers taking over his throne, combining their kingdoms. Asher agrees with everything and even says that all they need to kill Dane is a hunter.