A Crown of Thorns

Lady Madeline climbs quickly through the palace ranks, and her success draws rivals who resent her standing. After a string of victories in the Western Provinces, she is betrayed and left to face the consequences alone. Determined to get even, she draws close to Ryan Doyle and relies on her sharp wit to clear her name. As the emperor puts loyalties to the test, tangled alliances pull her deeper into the intrigue, including the capture of Prince Charles.