The King's Inamorata (A Queen's Tale #1)

When Vivia Ellspire stumbles across a dying man in the woods, her first instinct is to help this stranger rather than question him. Vivia lives as a pauper on the outskirts of a small town in the wealthy Kingdom of Novena with her elderly caretaker, Tomas. With no one but Vivia's childhood friend Agna for miles, Tomas is wary of this odd newcomer. Vivia, however, is smitten and nurses his back to health.

For months, this man becomes a part of their family until he picks up and leaves without so much as a proper goodbye. Upon his return, he declares his intentions to make Vivia his wife and bring her back to court where she will be crowned Queen of Novena. He is truly Prince Lucien, heir to the throne and his father's declining health leaves him with a crown on his head years too early.

When Vivia arrives in court, the nobles plot against her and dehumanize her by acknowledging her as nothing more than the soon-to-be King's Inamorata--a lover and new toy he'll soon tire of. But little do they know, Vivia is the sole surviving heir to a powerful ancient kingdom that threatens to bring them to ruins.