A Shadow Crown by Melissa Blair

Keera reluctantly agrees to work with Prince Killian, Riven’s half-brother, but not before delivering a sharp slap to his face. Despite her agreement, Keera struggles with feelings of betrayal. She quickly forgives Killian and her other allies, but Riven’s continued absence fuels her lingering anger.

Meanwhile, within the rebellion, tensions rise as suspicion falls on Keera. A mole exists among them, and Keera, already mistrusted due to her position as the King’s Blade, becomes the easiest target for blame. The isolation weighs on her, but she remains steadfast in her role.

Keera’s suspicions that she might be part light fae gain traction as her healing abilities continue to manifest. This prompts the group to investigate whether any light fae remain alive, as their presence could be crucial in turning the tide of the impending war. However, unsettling evidence surfaces, revealing that the light fae might have known of the attack on them before they disappeared. This revelation shakes Keera, leading her to suspect she wasn’t orphaned but abandoned. This emotional upheaval complicates their mission to seek the light fae for aid.

When Riven finally returns, Keera unleashes her bottled fury on him. Despite their heated confrontation, they decide to move forward, and Keera allows Riven the chance to earn her trust again. Ferron reappears and offers to help Keera unlock the sealed memories she suspects are buried in her mind.

Amid the growing distrust within the rebellion, some members blame Keera for personal losses. One soldier, Colin, accuses her of being responsible for his family’s deaths. During one of Ferron’s sessions, Keera relives the traumatic memory and discovers she witnessed their deaths but was unable to intervene. When Colin confronts her again, she finally snaps and reveals the truth to him.

After this confrontation, Keera seeks comfort in Riven’s tent, where they discover the depth of their magical bond. They realize their powers complement and strengthen one another—a connection that signifies a deep, magical mating bond.

Keera also has a heart-to-heart with Nikolai, who shares a personal moment while visiting his mother’s grave. He mentions that her nickname was Miiran, which stirs a memory in Keera. She recalls sitting in a dungeon with another prisoner who muttered “Miiran” repeatedly. Not wanting to unsettle Nikolai, who has made peace with her death, Keera keeps this revelation to herself.

Ferron continues helping Keera recover her memories, including the harrowing moment of losing her former lover, Brenna. The pain of reliving this drives Keera to flee, but Riven sends Syrra to comfort her.

A breakthrough reveals that the light fae might still be alive. Shortly after this revelation, Colin escalates his campaign against Keera, calling for her banishment.

Needing to return to the capital to maintain her cover, Keera and Killian devise a plan. While there, Keera discovers that King Aemon is growing increasingly paranoid and unhinged. He leaves her a chilling ultimatum: capture the Shadow (Riven), or he will begin executing Shades, her trainee sisters.

In the city, Keera visits the bank and reveals her secret efforts to help halflings escape the King’s oppression. She sets up a system to ensure they can seek refuge even if she’s gone.

Ferron’s sessions eventually uncover critical truths. He reveals that he has been supplying Riven with elixirs to help control his magic, but Riven has been downplaying their worsening effects. Keera also discovers a memory that confirms the light fae are truly gone, which devastates her.

Amid the chaos, Keera and the rebels launch a plan to disrupt a royal party. The plan works, creating enough diversion for Keera to infiltrate the dungeons. There, she rescues Vrail and, astonishingly, Nikolai’s mother, who has been imprisoned for over a century.

Returning to the rebels, Keera declares her loyalty to their cause, vowing to overthrow the King and his son, Damien, and to restore justice for halflings. She also reveals her identity as a light fae.

Keera’s healing powers remain unreliable, limited by a mysterious seal that causes her to faint after using them. To seek answers, the group heads to the Rift. There, Keera experiences a surge of light magic and confronts her mother in a vision. Her mother reveals that King Aemon is a halfling who has been stealing light fae magic for years. His power has weakened over time, leaving him vulnerable to Keera’s blade. However, the light fae are truly gone, and their return is impossible.

Determined, Keera shares this revelation with the group and heads to the castle to confront the King. Upon arrival, a battle is already underway, and Keera finds the King dead. However, her victory is short-lived as she encounters Damien, now crowned and prepared to take control. He knows of Killian’s rebellion and Keera’s ties to Riven. Damien gives Keera an ultimatum: work for him and endure his experiments, or watch Killian die.

The book ends with Keera being rescued by her old blade teacher. Together, they escape the castle, and Keera swears to protect halflings and fight against Damien’s tyranny.