Dire Bound (The Wolves of Ruin, #1)

by Sable Sorensen

All along, my neighbors and I have resented the Bonded. But they’re not the enemy. In the end, they are—we are—also just toys for the king to use and then throw away. Toy soldiers to throw against the Siphons. Toy gladiators to fight for the rich nobles’ amusement.

Stark’s eyes spark, he takes a single step back,

and he bows down on one knee, hand to his chest. “Welcome home, my queen.”