Drowned Empire Series by Frankie Diane Mallis

Lord Rhyan Hart, Heir Apparent to the Arkasva, High Lord of Glemaria, Imperator to the North hates everything about his title. Its length, its pretentiousness, and the fact that it connects him directly to his father, the sadistic violent man he hates more than anyone in Lumeria. The last thing Rhyan wants to do is spend the summer before his Revelation Ceremony traveling across the Empire with him for a state visit... moreLord Rhyan Hart, Heir Apparent to the Arkasva, High Lord of Glemaria, Imperator to the North hates everything about his title. Its length, its pretentiousness, and the fact that it connects him directly to his father, the sadistic violent man he hates more than anyone in Lumeria. The last thing Rhyan wants to do is spend the summer before his Revelation Ceremony traveling across the Empire with him for a state visit. Rhyan's resigned to his season of misery until he reaches Bamaria and sees Lady Lyriana Batavia. Rhyan's sure she doesn't remember their meeting a decade ago, but an act of kindness from her stayed with him through the years. Though he longs to know the woman she's become, he must keep his distance to protect her from his father's sinister political maneuvers. But when the undeniable attraction between them garners the attention of two dangerous Imperators competing for power, Rhyan must play the villain to keep him and Lyriana from becoming pawns. Jules, Lyriana's cousin and best friend, is the only one to see through his facade, becoming his unlikely ally as they navigate instability in the Bamarian Court. Though Lyriana is suspicious of his true motives, Rhyan's plan has nearly succeeded—until the night of the solstice, when hidden enemies emerge, posing an even greater threat. To save the girl he loves, Rhyan must play the hero—but to do so involves risking not only his heart, but exposing his most dangerous secret. less

Cleopatra meets Throne of Glass in this stunning debut. 19-year-old mage Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria: a position of wealth and privilege, but not safety. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden... moreCleopatra meets Throne of Glass in this stunning debut. 19-year-old mage Lady Lyriana Batavia is third in line to the Seat of Power in Bamaria: a position of wealth and privilege, but not safety. Bamaria falls under the rule of the Lumerian Empire, survivors of a celestial war whose island sank in the Drowning. Now all Lumerians submit to the Emperor and his strict laws about magic. He decides what magic can be practiced and what powers remain forbidden. He decides who will die for possession of forbidden magic. Lyr’s own cousin was executed for wielding the wrong kind. And for years, Lyr has sworn to protect her older sisters, helping them conceal their own illicit magic. But when Lyr must participate in the ceremony that reveals her power, she uncovers something else entirely. Something that means banishment from the Empire. Faced with death in exile, and leaving her sisters behind, Lyr has no choice but to accept a deadly contract. She has seven months to train as a warrior and pass the Emperor’s brutal test of strength—all without magic. But when she’s forced to train with Lord Rhyan Hart, the man she’s secretly loved since she was a girl—a feared warrior in exile himself, forbidden to her in every way—she’s in danger of losing far more than her family, life, and country. Rebel forces, and an invading army, are destabilizing Bamaria, just as her family’s secrets threaten to reveal themselves. Surviving the training, and saving her sisters may mean sacrificing her own heart. less

A Treacherous Oath Lord Rhyan Hart, Heir Apparent to the Arkasva, High Lord of Glemaria, Imperator to the North, has carried the weight of his title his entire life. But never has he felt it more than now. After sacrificing everything to protect the girl he loves, a shocking revelation endangers her again. The consequences stretch across the Empire and increase his father's power over him... moreA Treacherous Oath Lord Rhyan Hart, Heir Apparent to the Arkasva, High Lord of Glemaria, Imperator to the North, has carried the weight of his title his entire life. But never has he felt it more than now. After sacrificing everything to protect the girl he loves, a shocking revelation endangers her again. The consequences stretch across the Empire and increase his father's power over him. Rhyan struggles to fight back, and protect his loved ones, but rising threats force new oaths to be sworn-oaths that could ruin everything. A Deadly Tournament As the anniversary of the Imperator's rule approaches, he resurrects one of Glemaria's deadliest soturion the Alissedari. Soturi must enter the arena on gryphon back in a fight to the death. Rhyan knows he has no choice but to win, no matter the cost to his heart or soul. A Forbidden Love When evil invades Glemaria, the lines between friend and foe are blurred. Rhyan has always lived by his oaths. But the only way he can fulfill one oath is to forswear another, and the only way to save a life is to take someone else's. How can Rhyan tear the final rope apart to protect the girl he loves when he's not even sure what it means to be a soturion anymore, and every step he takes towards his love puts her in more danger? less

Now that Lyr has survived the Imperator's cruel punishment, she has only three months to prepare for the test that will decide her fate. Despite Rhyan's promise of additional training, her life has never been in more danger. Enemies known and unknown get closer every day. While the Imperator's soldiers occupy the city, the Emartis rebels grow bolder, marking Lyr as their target. Staying safe means more time under Rhyan's protection... moreNow that Lyr has survived the Imperator's cruel punishment, she has only three months to prepare for the test that will decide her fate. Despite Rhyan's promise of additional training, her life has never been in more danger. Enemies known and unknown get closer every day. While the Imperator's soldiers occupy the city, the Emartis rebels grow bolder, marking Lyr as their target. Staying safe means more time under Rhyan's protection. But the closer they become, the more their desire ignites, the harder it becomes to resist temptation. Secrets can only remain hidden for so long. Even ones Lyr bled for. As new threats arrive at the Bamarian border, Lyr delves deeper into solving the mystery of her power. But revealing these secrets and surviving the Emperor's test may cost Lyr more than she can bargain for. Loyalty will be tested. Lines will be crossed. Ancient promises will be reforged. And most dangerous of all: as passion burns, oaths will be broken. less

The events of Daughter of the Drowned Empire and Guardian of the Drowned Empire from Rhyan's POV.

Blindsided by their aunt’s betrayal and stripped of the protections of their station, Lyr and her sisters’ only hope of survival is to throw themselves into the dark intrigue of the Bamarian Court. As Meera and Morgana struggle to hide their illegal magic while living amongst their enemies, Lyr uncovers long-buried secrets from her mother that may finally unlock her power... moreBlindsided by their aunt’s betrayal and stripped of the protections of their station, Lyr and her sisters’ only hope of survival is to throw themselves into the dark intrigue of the Bamarian Court. As Meera and Morgana struggle to hide their illegal magic while living amongst their enemies, Lyr uncovers long-buried secrets from her mother that may finally unlock her power. But the Imperators are determined to set decades-long plans into motion, with Lyr’s true identity placing her at the center of their game. As Morgana’s magic intensifies to its breaking point, she comes face to face with the Lumerian Empire’s most insidious secret—one that threatens her and Meera’s lives. To save her sisters, Lyr must escape Bamaria with Rhyan. Though they’re being hunted by demons and tracked across borders by the Empire’s forces, they’re determined to solve the puzzle Lyr’s mother left behind. But claiming Lyr’s power may not be enough as an ancient evil returns to Lumeria. less

Lady of the Drowned Empire from Rhyan's POV.

Warrior of the Drowned Empire is the highly-anticipated fourth book in a sensational romantic series. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Danielle L. Jensen, and Rebecca Yarros. The Guardians have returned. As Moriel's reincarnation nears, Lyr is determined to fulfil her harness the power of the red shard and defeat him. But Lyr has uncovered the Empire's darkest secret - her cousin Jules still lives and the Emperor is enslaving vorakh for their forbidden magic... moreWarrior of the Drowned Empire is the highly-anticipated fourth book in a sensational romantic series. Perfect for fans of Jennifer L. Armentrout, Danielle L. Jensen, and Rebecca Yarros. The Guardians have returned. As Moriel's reincarnation nears, Lyr is determined to fulfil her harness the power of the red shard and defeat him. But Lyr has uncovered the Empire's darkest secret - her cousin Jules still lives and the Emperor is enslaving vorakh for their forbidden magic. Now, she's vowed to bring the Empire to its knees. But freeing the realm will require more power than even Lyr and Rhyan combined possess. Their only opportunity is to make a far more sinister deal with the person who has the most to gain - and the person Rhyan trusts the least. To protect her loved ones, Lyr must master her magic or risk unleashing destruction across the Empire. It could cost her everything - her heart. And soul. A LUSH ROMANTASY, INSPIRED BY CLEOPATRA AND FEATURING A HIGH-STAKES MILITARY ACADEMY AND DEADLY FORBIDDEN ROMANCE. 'One fantastical world. One fierce heroine to take it down! Daughter of the Drowned Empire is sexy, thrilling, and pure magic! ' Cecy Robson, author of Bloodguard. Readers love the Drowned Empire series! 'I haven't read a book that's dragged me in as much as this since I discovered Throne of Glass' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. 'I loved this. The tension, angst - it was exactly what I look for in a good back! ' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. 'The romance is *chefs kiss*. For fans of Throne of Glass or people who like high fantasy! ! It's worth it, I promise you' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. 'This is the kind of book that I can definitely see conquering the heart of many and being the next surprise hit' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. 'If you are ready for an ancient world full of mages, warriors, fallen gods, and forbidden love, then you need to read Daughter of the Drowned Empire IMMEDIATELY' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐. less

After the devastating events of the arena, Lyriana Batavia is trying to live in a world where her soulmate, Rhyan Hart, has become a soulless akadim. The Empire has named Lyr a forsworn traitor, and every soldier in Lumeria has been ordered to hunt her down. With her friends and family scattered across the Empire, Lyr is more alone than she’s ever been, with the exception of one shocking ally; Auriel, Rhyan’s former incarnation, who has mysteriously appeared... moreAfter the devastating events of the arena, Lyriana Batavia is trying to live in a world where her soulmate, Rhyan Hart, has become a soulless akadim. The Empire has named Lyr a forsworn traitor, and every soldier in Lumeria has been ordered to hunt her down. With her friends and family scattered across the Empire, Lyr is more alone than she’s ever been, with the exception of one shocking ally; Auriel, Rhyan’s former incarnation, who has mysteriously appeared. And he is determined to help Lyr, whether she likes it or not. The new Emperor Avery Kormac is hungrier than ever to impose his power over Lumeria, especially after the escape of his precious chayatim, including the powerful Julianna Batavia. His cruel and unrelenting agenda vows to locate every single vorakh through mandatory testing for all citizens. Lord Tristan Grey is named the leader of this new initiative, and finds himself hunting his own kind while keeping his newfound powers hidden. Meanwhile, Morgana and Aemon, the reincarnation of Moriel, are amassing the force of their akadim army to hunt a secret weapon. And the key to their plans of destruction may very well be Rhyan in his demonic form. Lyr must decode the mystery of why Auriel has returned in order for them both to survive. But the closer they get, the more danger they face as a secret that’s been locked away for centuries is revealed. A secret that will alter the fate of the Empire forever. less