Velasin has left his home country of Ralia as part of an arranged marriage to Cae, the son of the ruler of Tithena. Vel was originally intended for Cae's sister, but when the Tithenian envoy learned of Vel's preference for men, they offered up Cae's hand instead. Neither man expected this match, particularly because such pairings are forbidden in Vel's homeland, but they're determined to be friends if nothing else. Trouble is, someone in Tithena isn't a fan of the marriage, and they're going out of their way to try to break it up.
This is an interesting twist on the courtly intrigue brand of fantasy novels, with the vastly different attitudes toward LGBTQIA people and relationships in Ralia and Tithena adding a dimension that isn't often present in this sort of book. The mystery at the center of the book, the slow-building trust and love between Cae and Vel, and Vel's growth and healing over the course of the book make this a compelling read (though it should be noted that there are depictions of rape and suicidal ideation in this book, so head in with open eyes). A sequel comes out this winter, and you can bet I'll be reading it.
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