Mason Davies is a brilliant young physician whose single-minded path to the prestigious Royal Medical Guild is abruptly rerouted by a king’s whim: he’s wed to Quinn Castaneda, the fragile eldest son of House Castaneda, as a “comfort marriage.” Quinn is charming, laconic, and insists he only wants to “loaf through life.” Mason takes the bargain—guarding his family’s safety—expecting six months’ obligation and a return to his dreams. When Quinn’s sudden revival after the wedding reveals a secret sign and a stubborn spark, Mason’s plans wobble. Grief, politics, and war tear their world apart: Quinn’s body fails, then a triumphant general bearing that same private token kneels with the same voice and jokes. Years later, that soul reappears again—this time under a crown.

23 Chapters