Iris of the Crowned Flame by Olivia Tildon

A throne she never wanted. A love she cannot have. A kingdom on the brink of ruin.

Princess Lyla has spent her life avoiding the destiny forced upon her—until the sudden death of her mother, the Queen, changes everything. To claim the throne, Lyla must marry. But her heart already belongs to Amyra, her best friend and lady-in-waiting, a love forbidden by law.
Desperate for control over her fate, Lyla proposes a tournament where suitors will compete for her hand. The trials are meant to buy her time, yet they soon become a dangerous game of politics, deception, and power. Among the contenders is Prince Spencer—an old friend whose kindness and mysterious abilities stir emotions Lyla isn’t prepared to face. As tensions rise and secrets unravel, Lyla is caught between duty and desire, her forbidden love for Amyra and the unexpected connection with Spencer.

But when dark forces threaten the kingdom and whispers of magic begin to surface, Lyla must uncover the truth behind her mother’s death and claim her power before everything she loves is destroyed.