Sword catcher Cassandra Clare

In the city-state of Castellane, wealth, power, and hedonistic pursuits drive both nobles and criminals alike. Kel, an orphan, serves as the Sword Catcher—a body double for Prince Conor Aurelian, destined to sacrifice his life for the royal heir. Despite their close bond, Kel's fate seems sealed until a chance encounter with Lin Caster, a physician with magical abilities from a small community.

Lin's quest to heal her friend leads her to Kel after a failed assassination attempt. Together, they become entangled in the schemes of the Ragpicker King, Castellane's enigmatic underworld ruler. As secrets unravel and forbidden desires emerge, Kel and Lin grapple with the consequences of their actions. They must confront the moral dilemmas of betrayal and the potential consequences of their discoveries, which could ignite war and chaos in their nation and beyond.

"Knowledge worth the price of betrayal?" is the central question facing Kel and Lin as they navigate treacherous political landscapes and conflicting loyalties. Their journey intertwines fate, duty, and forbidden attraction, leading to profound choices that could reshape the future of Castellane and the wider world.