Curse of Shadows and Thorns (The Broken Kingdoms #1) by L.J. Andrews 

 

Elise Lysander is the niece to the king but the second born with a minimal stake to the thrown therefore, unlike her sister who is betrothed to the king's heir, she has a bit more freedom.  She doesn't care about the court or its politics.  The only things Elise cares about are sneaking into gambling dens that are forbidden for women (especially those related to the crown), training to fight as her people are known to be able to defend themselves, and avoiding an arranged advantageous marriage at all costs.

 

Now that Elise is of the age to wed, her uncle the King is in charge of her future, including marrying her off to a rich and powerful suitor who benefits the kingdom.  She has little say in the matter though as it's her uncle's money that helps care for her deathly ill father and if she refuses her uncle's wishes, her father's care will end, and succumb to his sickness.  With no other choice, Elise puts her fate into the hands of Legion Grey, the handsome and mysterious dowry negotiator. Her choices for a future husband may be small, but in the end, she at least has a choice between a few.  With Legion's guidance, he can hopefully make a tolerable match. He is an unexpected and mysterious man.  He not only treats her differently, concerning her wishes to a degree but encourages her to learn more and question the past when her people once lived in harmony with fae-the night folk, shades, magical folk.  The longer she spends with him the more she wishes to have a choice because who she wants is him.  Legion incites a blistering, forbidden passion and longing she can’t ignore regardless knowing that due to his lower station, it cannot be.

 

As their attraction grows, the dangers within the realm increase.  Attacks from black-eyed people, rumors of fae returning for the crown they believe was stolen from them long ago, a cursed enemy who is more beast than a man who attacked her many years ago and left her with the scars she hides with gloves that forever remind her of the frightening encounter. 

 

After an attack on the kingdom, Elise flees with Legion in haste otherwise she will be murdered, but nothing is as it seems. The man she allowed into her heart reveals his involvement with her future was not that of making a marriage match.  He interposed himself in the kingdom for a secret plan with the return of magic and take back that was stolen decades ago using Elise to see them through.

 

Did I enjoy this book?  Yes, I did. 

I also enjoyed Jennifer Armentrout's From Blood and Ash written the previous year from this extremely similar book. Will I read the rest of this series? Yes. I will.