She was sent to the Dragon King as a sacrifice. His fire chose her as queen.
Maerwen Valeis was never meant to be cherished.
She was raised to be useful, obedient, and disposable. As the least valued daughter of a human king, her only purpose is to fulfill the Treaty of Cinder and become the bride of the monster beyond the Ashen Reach.
Drazek Ironclaw does not want a wife.
The Dragon King rules Ignis Vale with molten fire, ancient law, and a court full of predators who see Maerwen as nothing more than a fragile human offering. To them, she is a political weakness. To her father, she is a payment. To Drazek, she should be a temporary burden locked safely behind obsidian walls.
But Maerwen refuses to vanish quietly.
Inside the volcanic stronghold, survival means learning the rules of a court designed to break her. The dragon nobles want her gone. The ancient rites of the crown were never meant for human blood. And the king who should terrify her is beginning to look at her less like a prisoner and more like something his fire has already claimed.
When a forbidden recognition awakens between them, Drazek's possessiveness becomes dangerous, consuming, and impossible to ignore. His flame bends toward her. His court turns against her. And Maerwen must decide whether she will remain the sacrifice her kingdom sent away, or become the first human queen powerful enough to command the Dragon King's fire.
One marriage was meant to save a kingdom.
One bond could burn them both.
Dragon King's Bride is Book 1 in The Firebound Throne, a dark dragon king romantasy trilogy featuring a ruthless dragon ruler, a captive treaty bride, forced marriage, primal fire magic, court intrigue, open-door romance, possessive protection, and a queen who was never meant to survive the throne.
