Runes of Pain and Peace Series by Celeste Baxendell

A decoy bride sent to die. The soldier prince sent to capture her. How far will he go to save her life when even she has accepted her death? Marcella is a mediocre mage whose only value to her people is the fact she looks like the clan’s heir. When she is ordered to take her place and be captured by their enemies so the heir can fulfill a marriage alliance, Marcella obeys. Her only hope of surviving after her capture is for them to believe she’s the heir long enough for her to escape... moreA decoy bride sent to die. The soldier prince sent to capture her. How far will he go to save her life when even she has accepted her death? Marcella is a mediocre mage whose only value to her people is the fact she looks like the clan’s heir. When she is ordered to take her place and be captured by their enemies so the heir can fulfill a marriage alliance, Marcella obeys. Her only hope of surviving after her capture is for them to believe she’s the heir long enough for her to escape. Unfortunately the commander who captures her is sharper than anticipated. When he figures out the truth, she is as good as dead… isn’t she? Upon discovering he captured a decoy instead of the heir his people needed for peace, Gavril is torn between his duty and his growing affection for a girl the world has deemed worthless. But what if she isn’t? In her, he sees a path to peace. But if he’s going to keep her alive long enough to prove it, he might just have to tie himself to her forever. With enemies on every side, and his own heart lost to her, how is he going to protect a woman who will always hate him? For lovers of epic magic, complex characters, and slow-burn, intense enemies-to-lovers romance full of tension with no spice, The Prince's Captive is an upper YA fantasy romance perfect for fans of Tara Grayce, Kenley Davidson, and Sarah K. L. Wilson! less

Her life is a miracle. So is his plan for peace. Will their lies destroy any chance they have together and their one shot at ending this war? There is only one thing Marcella excels at: following orders. Her orders are to bring her clan’s leader a prince to use against their enemies. Her feelings don’t matter. She can’t stay trapped in the enemy’s palace, and she can’t let this war come to a head where countless more will perish... moreHer life is a miracle. So is his plan for peace. Will their lies destroy any chance they have together and their one shot at ending this war? There is only one thing Marcella excels at: following orders. Her orders are to bring her clan’s leader a prince to use against their enemies. Her feelings don’t matter. She can’t stay trapped in the enemy’s palace, and she can’t let this war come to a head where countless more will perish. However, the prince who would do anything for her is the son his parents would gladly see in the hands of their enemies. His brother, on the other hand… But can she betray the man who has sacrificed everything for her? Gavril almost lost his wife and would have thrown peace to the wind if she had not stopped him. Now, he won’t let anything threaten her safety while he brings peace between their people. If he can give her what she claims to want most in her heart, maybe then he’ll finally be what replaces it. Can he achieve the impossible and finally tell his wife exactly what she means to him? less

A prince in need of a bride. The mage who has hated him all their lives. What lengths will he go to in order to win her love? Commander Aimilia was born into war, but now that her nation has peace, Aimilia has nothing but a secret that would mean her death. She has no fiancé, no position, and an ailing grandfather. All she wants is to hide her treason, and secure her position and safety by winning her grandfather's title after his death... moreA prince in need of a bride. The mage who has hated him all their lives. What lengths will he go to in order to win her love? Commander Aimilia was born into war, but now that her nation has peace, Aimilia has nothing but a secret that would mean her death. She has no fiancé, no position, and an ailing grandfather. All she wants is to hide her treason, and secure her position and safety by winning her grandfather's title after his death. But as Prince Nikias closes in on her, she’s certain his attention will only end in her execution. The last thing she expected was for her ex-fiancé’s older brother to ask her to be his bride. How could he ever think she’d want to marry him? Nikias secured historic peace, but it came at a great cost. What he saw cannot be unseen, but he’s determined not to let the Seer’s future come to pass. The Seer has tormented him enough by taking his first love from him; he will not let her take his second. He will marry, and there is only one woman he has in mind as his bride. But, in order to defy fate, Nikias must secure her love before making her his wife. New enemies rise from the shadows. As his past haunts him and his future condemns him, how can Nikias prove to her he’s not the villain he used to be? less