Rating: 4.75🌈

Prince and Betrothed is the penultimate book in the second group of stories about three princes from a specific Kingdom. The beginning three books centered around the three Sandrelle Princes of Silaise, and the second trilogy focusing on the Dire Princes of Draskora (which has the dragons and Scalestone).

In all those novels, other important Kingdoms, like Fellrin with its mystical enormous Fellcats and home of the guild that trains the powerful human vessels known as grails. Various characters from other countries have interacted with the Kingdoms and their characters .

But these two Kingdoms have been portrayed as the most powerful and politically influential. Mostly due to their unique geography which affords them their magical resources, whether it’s the coveted Scalestone, or dragons which need the Scalestone, or some resources equally elusive or hidden.

Prince and Betrothed is a standout in many aspects of this series. One I absolutely adore the couple. Forced engagement/marriage isn’t a favorite trope of mine but it really does work here with Sei and Marek. They are thrown together immediately by needs of transport (fantastic), and then by necessity as dramatic events warrant new arrangements.

Those events were Vana’s , Prince Marek’s brother, in Prince and Bodyguard #4, and like all the novels here, a must for background information as well as the couple.

But this is far better. Because Lark goes for depth and development in Prince and Betrothed , filling in plot gaps that the previous novels left open.

Marek and his bond with his dragon, Loska, their history, as well as ability to communicate with each other, it’s all well developed within the story and Marek’s relationship with Sei. Loska himself becomes a vivid personality, a distinctive character with a voice that’s sounds old and otherworldly, yet whimsical in some ways.

Osric, the Fellcat is also a great character, and I could not have enough of his presence.

Lark has a dark storyline that’s getting progressively darker with the ruling King Dire. Each book hints at his and his wife’s horrific magical powers and secret plans. This book moves that arc smartly forward.

However, it’s the wonderful romance and growth that we see between Sri and Marek that makes the story. Combine that with the sort of heartbreaking fragility that comes off that last brother and the poisonous plotting of their King father, and this novel is one fabulous bit of storytelling.

One last brother to go in this Kingdom. That’s the hardest one and probably the most broken, Kazia Dire.

I can’t wait to see how this plays out.

If you love fantasy romance, I’m sure you have found this series. But if not, read them in the order that they are written for characters and events that develop.

I highly recommend them ! Especially this one.

Perilous Courts:

🔷Prince and Assassin #1❤️

🔷Prince in Disguise #2

🔷Prince and Pawn #3

🔷Prince and Bodyguard #4 ❤️

🔷Prince and Betrothed #5 ❤️

🔷Prince of Agony #6 – Feb 29,2024

Buy Link:

Prince and Betrothed (Perilous Courts Book 5)

Blurb:

Being claimed shouldn’t feel so lonely.

Sei’s power isn’t truly his. As a grail, his role is to serve a mage by augmenting their magic. He’s equally nervous and excited about his arranged betrothal. After a life without intimacy, Sei will finally fulfill his true purpose as a treasured, valuable grail.

There’s only one problem: Sei’s new betrothed is the legendary Marek Dire.

The dragonrider prince is powerful, intimidating, and larger than life—or at least larger than Sei. Prince Marek doesn’t want a husband, especially one like this. Sei might be captivating, but he’s also too delicate and obedient. Marek vows to break the betrothal, and he refuses to use Sei as a grail.

No matter how much Sei wants to be used.

But Marek underestimates Sei. Wielding kindness as a weapon, Sei discovers unexpected tenderness in Marek—and new fierceness in himself. But being a grail in power-hungry Draskora is dangerous, and Marek still fears two things. That someone else might hurt Sei…

…or that Marek himself will.

Prince and Betrothed is a high fantasy gay romance, with an arranged marriage, dragons, and shameless displays of affection. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, and Prince and Betrothed continues the three-book arc about the princes of Draskora.