Ties of Shadow by Alora Carter

A vengeful shadow.
An obliging noblewoman.
A mangled kingdom.

Aelia is everything a noble woman should be – graceful, lovely and quiet. But as a motherless, magicless foreigner, she’s often treated as no better than a well-dressed castle servant. Finding the herbs to make the queen’s healing potions becomes harder as the fire prince battles the violent shadow attacks from their enemy, the Shade. The battles poison the land, and the herbs are drying out. Aelia will do anything to save the queen … or so she thought.
When the prince receives a prophecy that demands she forfeit her life to save the kingdom, she flees to avoid becoming the ultimate sacrifice. And with nowhere to hide, she runs directly to the Shade. But bleeding on his doorstep may be her greatest mistake. Menacing and self-assured, the dark lord may be yet another master demanding her servitude.
Aelia swore she’d never be fooled again, but the Shade’s kindness makes her question if he’s more than the shadows he commands. And when new monsters attack from the deep and a new potion is discovered, Aelia must decide what is she willing to sacrifice. Will she save herself, the queen, or the Shade?

Ties of Shadow is book 6 in Tethered Hearts, a multi-author series of no spice fantasy romances. Each standalone story features a magical bond that forces the couple to discover how much they’re willing to sacrifice for the sake of love.