The Castes of Ascela

In the kingdom of Ascela, a rigid caste system demands that every child, upon turning seventeen, demonstrate their magical abilities before the royal family. Aria Byrne has spent her entire life preparing for this Exhibition under the tutelage of her father, the village healer. However, there is one major problem: Aria has no magic. Under the law, this is a death sentence, or worse—it could result in her enslavement to the ruthless royal Westfall line. With her Exhibition fast approaching, Aria's survival hinges on her ability to outwit the Westfalls and leverage her charm and knowledge of herbalism to escape her fate.

Princess Rosalind Westfall, second-born child of the elite Gilded Wolf caste, is feared for her cruelty and cunning. Burdened by a haunting past, she has grown increasingly isolated, trusting few as she navigates the dangerous political waters of Ascela. As she vies with her merciless brother, Idris Westfall, for the throne, Roz's world is thrown into turmoil when she encounters Aria at the Exhibition. The collision of their destinies ignites a spark that will challenge everything they believe about the kingdom, its magic, and their place within it.