Riehse Eshan Series by Adelaide Blaike

Desperate to save his people from foreign occupation, Prince Renato Aratorre has resorted to kidnapping in an effort to leverage their freedom. But when he ends up with not a princess but the handsome son of his enemy’s military leader, Ren is determined to discover what the so-called Mathias Grachyov is hiding. And he needs to do it quickly, before the plotting of his family, his court and his enemies undoes everything he’s trying to achieve... moreDesperate to save his people from foreign occupation, Prince Renato Aratorre has resorted to kidnapping in an effort to leverage their freedom. But when he ends up with not a princess but the handsome son of his enemy’s military leader, Ren is determined to discover what the so-called Mathias Grachyov is hiding. And he needs to do it quickly, before the plotting of his family, his court and his enemies undoes everything he’s trying to achieve. Alone in a foreign country and held hostage by a man by whose hand he has repeatedly seen himself die, Mat faces danger on all sides. Not least of which is Ren himself, for the cruel prince would seemingly like nothing more than to ruin him in more ways than one. --. A Knife and a Blade is the first book in the Riehse Eshan series, a slow-burn enemies-to-lovers dark fantasy M/M romance. less

Mathias has bought his brother’s freedom with his own, but at what cost? Tensions are rising between the three countries of Riehse Eshan, and the true identity of Quareh’s hostage threatens half a century of tenuous peace. And that’s not the only secret kept by the bloodied walls of la Cortina. Facing betrayal and subterfuge on all sides, Ren and Mat find themselves turning to each other as they’re forced to navigate Quareh’s increasingly dangerous politics... moreMathias has bought his brother’s freedom with his own, but at what cost? Tensions are rising between the three countries of Riehse Eshan, and the true identity of Quareh’s hostage threatens half a century of tenuous peace. And that’s not the only secret kept by the bloodied walls of la Cortina. Facing betrayal and subterfuge on all sides, Ren and Mat find themselves turning to each other as they’re forced to navigate Quareh’s increasingly dangerous politics. But even allied against a common enemy, they may not survive what comes next, not when it seems everyone has their own plans for the prince and his wayward northerner, including fate itself…. -. An enemies-to-lovers M/M dark fantasy romance where Reign meets Captive Prince: the Riehse Eshan Series blends humour, spicy scenes, LGBTQ+ representation, a Spanish-influenced setting, and the exploration of themes of belonging, sacrifice, overcoming ignorance and oppression, and challenging damaging long-held beliefs. A Whisper and a Breath is the second book in the series, and contains a slow-burn gay romance. Recommended for adults only; reader discretion is advised. less

Devastated by Mathias’ decision to return home, Ren knows he should be focusing on the challenges that ruling his country will bring. Yet a fateful encounter in the foothills of Quareh sees him fall into the hands of his enemy, and Valeri Velichkov is out for Aratorre blood. Now it’s Mat’s turn to choose between his duty to his family and the man he loves. But if the devout north discovers the truth about his relationship with Ren, he risks losing a whole lot more than his newfound freedom. -... moreDevastated by Mathias’ decision to return home, Ren knows he should be focusing on the challenges that ruling his country will bring. Yet a fateful encounter in the foothills of Quareh sees him fall into the hands of his enemy, and Valeri Velichkov is out for Aratorre blood. Now it’s Mat’s turn to choose between his duty to his family and the man he loves. But if the devout north discovers the truth about his relationship with Ren, he risks losing a whole lot more than his newfound freedom. -. An enemies-to-lovers M/M dark fantasy romance where Reign meets Captive Prince. Dual POV, first person, and an eventual HEA. A Shadow and a Storm is the third book in this series. Recommended for adults only; reader discretion is advised. less

Just when Ren had everything he wanted – Mathias, Quareh’s throne, and the chance for peace they’d fought so hard for – it was cruelly ripped away. Now him and Mat are on the run from their own people as they desperately search for a way to restore the prince’s name and protect the country they love. Hunted across the continent by enemies old and new, it will take everything they have to survive... moreJust when Ren had everything he wanted – Mathias, Quareh’s throne, and the chance for peace they’d fought so hard for – it was cruelly ripped away. Now him and Mat are on the run from their own people as they desperately search for a way to restore the prince’s name and protect the country they love. Hunted across the continent by enemies old and new, it will take everything they have to survive. But if peace in Riehse Eshan can only be achieved at the cost of losing each other, is it too high a price to pay? -. An enemies-to-lovers M/M dark fantasy romance where Reign meets Captive Prince. Dual POV, first person, and an eventual HEA. An Oath and a Promise is the fourth and final book in this series. Recommended for adults only; reader discretion is advised. less

Does that hurt? It’s been six months since Jiron was rescued from the rebels hunting King Renato Aratorre, yet while his body has healed from the torture, he fears his mind broken. The mental scars run deeper than any surface wound, taking from him the only thing that ever mattered: his ability to protect his king. But then there’s also Wyatt, the vivacious young gardener with the infectiously broad smile... moreDoes that hurt? It’s been six months since Jiron was rescued from the rebels hunting King Renato Aratorre, yet while his body has healed from the torture, he fears his mind broken. The mental scars run deeper than any surface wound, taking from him the only thing that ever mattered: his ability to protect his king. But then there’s also Wyatt, the vivacious young gardener with the infectiously broad smile. The boy is sunshine and temptation wrapped up in one adorable package, and he promises a different life that Jiron might have been tempted to accept…had he not known that Wyatt would never want someone like him. Careful, little one. Wyatt’s patience has run out. If the gentle, sombre giant of a man refuses to take the hint that he’s interested in climbing him like a tree, then he’s going to have to make his intentions even more obvious. Wyatt is determined to prove to Jiron that he has worth beyond that of a guard and help him drive the shadows away…but his own past might just catch up with them first. less

King Renato Aratorre is missing. Mathias and his husband were meant to be enjoying their hard-won happily ever after. But with Ren disappearing without a trace and dangerous trouble brewing in every corner of the palace, the weight of the Quarehian crown falls on the shoulders of the northerner king consort. To make matters worse, there’s growing talk of the one thing that despite his best efforts, Mathias can never give to Ren and Quareh. An heir. -... moreKing Renato Aratorre is missing. Mathias and his husband were meant to be enjoying their hard-won happily ever after. But with Ren disappearing without a trace and dangerous trouble brewing in every corner of the palace, the weight of the Quarehian crown falls on the shoulders of the northerner king consort. To make matters worse, there’s growing talk of the one thing that despite his best efforts, Mathias can never give to Ren and Quareh. An heir. -. A Throne and a Crown is a post-series novella to the Riehse Eshan fantasy enemies-to-lovers MM romance series. It is set approximately a year after An Oath and a Promise finishes, and has its own HEA. Recommended for adults only; reader discretion is advised. less