Description
In the remains of the world, where nature has reclaimed the ruins of once-great cities, the last of humanity survives under the rule of the Verdant Order-a ruthless faction that believes only those marked by nature deserve to live. Those born with the Thorn Mark, intricate patterns resembling vines or ferns along their skin, are chosen. They are gifted with strange abilities-enhanced senses, immunity to disease-but at a cost. They belong to the Order.
Sable Knox has spent her life hiding her mark, covering the dark fern curling down her spine with ash and rags. Those marked are taken, forced into servitude, or worse-experimented on to unlock the full potential of their powers. She's seen what happens to them. She won't let it happen to her.
But when she is captured during a raid, her secret is exposed. Instead of execution, she is delivered to Cassian Vale, the cold, calculating heir of the Verdant Order. Unlike the others, Cassian doesn't see her as a tool-he sees her as something else. A key. A weapon. A threat.
Thrown into a dangerous game of power, rebellion, and forbidden desire, Sable and Cassian must navigate a world where trust is deadly and love is a weakness neither can afford. But as Sable's abilities awaken, she begins to question everything-about the Order, about the world before the Fall, and about Cassian, whose icy control cracks whenever she's near.
She was born to be controlled.
She was marked to be powerful.
