A gifted bookbinder and a cursed immortal are bound together by a deadly bargain in this new epic romantasy trilogy perfect for fans of WHEN THE MOON HATCHED, QUICKSILVER and SHIELD OF SPARROWS

Some bargains are sealed with blood. . . Others with fire. . . The deadliest are sealed with a kiss. . .

Saige Grayson has always believed stories could heal. The capital’s most promising bookbinder, she works through chronic pain to restore other people’s treasures. But when her debt collector decides her bookbinding talent is worth more than coin, Saige is traded to the Azkari – an immortal race forged by the gods for war.

Her only chance of survival lies with Archer, a fallen Azkari general imprisoned beside her – cursed, dangerous and impossible to ignore. He offers her a way out, and in return Saige must help him retrieve and restore an ancient book – one made of living magic, powerful enough to stop a great evil . . . or unleash it.

As Saige works with Archer, the tome begins to awaken something dark – both within the realm and in her. With enemies closing in and buried memories resurfacing, they must decide what they’re willing to sacrifice: their freedom, their fragile trust . . . or the spark that could ignite the world.

‘This world drew me in and let me walk beside the characters. Such a beautiful, gritty, unique world with all the passion and yearning I devour in fantasy romance. Scheuerer knocked this out of the water.’ LJ Andrews, international bestselling author of The Ever Seas and Broken Souls and Bones

‘I’m utterly obsessed with this book. From the very first page, all I wanted to do was read. Helen gives us everything we love in fantasy romance—intriguing lore, fast-paced action, and those steamy, angsty moments and tension that make us weak in the knees.’ Melissa K. Roehrich, New York Times bestselling author

TROPES:
Forced proximity
Touch her and die
Chronic pain representation
Grumpy x Sunshine
Found family

‘A gorgeous, luscious fantasy . . . Helen Scheuerer continues to be one of my favourite writers with her fantastic new series and its fierce, bookish heroine!’ Sable Sorensen, #1 internationally bestselling author of Dire Bound

© Helen Scheuerer 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026