The Cursed Alpha King's Destined Mate

Elara, the illegitimate daughter of a count, is sent by her own family to be a sacrificial bride to the cursed king, Cassian. No woman before her has ever survived a night in his chamber. Locked in the palace and waiting to be called, she tries to escape and stumbles upon the king chained in an underground sanctuary, bleeding and half-mad. She touches him, and for reasons she does not understand, he calms. The next day, a clear-minded Cassian recognizes her, demands she stay and bear him an heir, and gives her three days to decide when she refuses. Before the deadline passes, the Holy Court intervenes. Archbishop Malrec, suspicious of her survival, tries to take her for investigation, but Cassian publicly places her under his protection. What no one yet knows is that something ancient has been sealed inside Elara, and the war between crown and church is only beginning to stir.