Beauty and the Beast meets The Vampire Diaries in this exhilarating, steamy first entry to a romantasy trilogy by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lexi Ryan, in which a powerful, magic-wielding princess is coerced into allying with a dark and mysterious prince to break an ancient curse

One empire. Four kingdoms. Countless deadly secrets.

Twenty-two-year-old Aurora Evanselier’s graduation from Invictus Mage Academy is supposed to be the most unforgettable night of her life – starting with the glitz and glamour of her father, the Emperor’s, ball, and culminating with the coveted honor of choosing which of the empire’s four ruling kingdoms she’ll use her carefully honed magic to serve.

Everyone expects Aurora to choose Daybreak, her ancestral home and the kingdom for which she was named. But everything changes when her father’s failing heart gives out, and the only healer strong enough to save him is the enticing Night Tide prince, Malek Ravenstorm. Malek has never forgiven the Emperor for executing his brother, but Aurora will do anything to save her father, so they make a deal: Malek will save her father if Aurora pledges herself to Night Tide.

But life in Night Tide is anything but simple, with a sunset curfew and a mysterious, forbidden wing of the castle. And then there's Malek – infuriating, magnetic, and determined to keep Aurora in the dark. She’s desperate to unlock the secrets of Night Tide’s healing magic, but Malek distracts her with dangerous smiles and irresistible tension.

When whispers of an ancient curse surface, Aurora will risk everything to unravel this mystery. But the truth is darker than she imagined – and they’re not only about Malek’s past … they’re about hers, too.

TROPES YOU'LL FIND IN NIGHT TIDE:

Magical academy
Brother rivalry (with Vampire Diaries' Stefan-Damon vibes)
Enemies-to-lovers romance
Found friendship
Royals with secret identities
Mysterious creatures that roam the night
Bound by curses and fate