The Bride of Death by F.M. Aden

Zerryn, raised on tales of the Lord of Death, Erlik Khan, finds her quiet village upended when her best friend Çelik is rumored to be possessed by a demon. As Çelik's behavior grows increasingly erratic, Zerryn discovers the truth: Erlik Khan himself has taken hold of Çelik.

Desperate to save her friend, Zerryn learns that Erlik seeks a bride, and she realizes that becoming his wife might be the only way to confront him. However, she soon understands that this path is fraught with danger and sacrifice. To gain the power needed to challenge Erlik, Zerryn must accept the role of his queen and complete three impossible tasks.

Despite the risk to herself and her village, Zerryn knows she has no choice but to undertake the challenges set by Erlik. With each task she completes, she edges closer to her goal of confronting the Lord of Death and freeing her friend from his grip. But the challenges are not just physical or mental; they test Zerryn's resolve, her loyalty, and her understanding of the world around her.

As Zerryn delves deeper into the realm of the Lord of Death, she discovers secrets and powers she never imagined, all while grappling with the moral implications of her choices. With her village depending on her and Çelik's life hanging in the balance, Zerryn must navigate the treacherous path ahead, knowing that failure could mean losing everything she holds dear.