‘A piece of magic in itself’– FREYA MARSKE, author of A Marvellous Light and Cinder HouseA sparkling historical fantasy filled with arcane magic, deadly conspiracies and an irresistible queer romance. Perfect for fans of Freya Marske, Alexis Hall, and Bridgerton mixed with magic. Lord Nicholas Monterris is trapped. The only heir to a declining dukedom, Nic is destined for a marriage of convenience. What he didn’t expect was for his bride to be Lady Leaf Serral, daughter of his father’s hated rivals. Now they must all be locked inside mouldering Monterris Court for the duration of the contract negotiations, along with head negotiator, master vowsmith Dashiell sa Vare - beautiful, perfect Dashiell sa Vare - an old flame Nic has neither forgiven nor forgotten. What could go wrong?Only a dead body turning up mere hours after they lock the doors. The first could be an accident, but a second death reveals something sinister is unfolding at Monterris Court, and long-buried secrets begin to surface. As accusations fly, Nic must work with his former lover and his future bride to uncover the killer before they become the next targets . . . ‘A delectable read, brimming with mystery and filled with the tensions of past love’– C.S. PACAT, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Rise