The Heir of Shadow and Stone — Rue Volley

BRED TO KNEEL. BORN TO RISE.A MaidenSixteen-year-old Everleigh Aeress has spent her life preparing to serve the Kingdom of Stone.She's bathed in milk and lavender, worn fine silks, and sipped on vanilla honey chamomile tea to soothe and prepare her body for what's to come, along with the other Stone Maidens who were all chosen at birth by the purity stone.Soon they will all face the trial of Acheron, their Serpent God, to prove they are worthy of carrying an heir to the throne.A Future KingArrowe Brumah spends his days charming whomever he desires, but none matter to the boy who longs to be King.His heart belongs to no one. His true desire is power. His focus is on the crown.But a chance meeting in the Library of Acheron threatens to unravel his plans when a girl with emerald green eyes unknowingly bewitches him.A Vampire PrinceCullen Moore, chosen heir to The Kingdom of Shadow, spends his days reading books and sipping on blood rose tea.He longs for someone to challenge him. But none do.Three-hundred years have passed since he received the immortal gift from his father, The King of Shadow, Raiden Moore, and he's given up on love.But something threatens their Kingdom and every vampire behind the Shadow Gate.Cullen's mother seeks his help, and he is happy to answer the call.But what he finds outside the walls of The Kingdom of Shadow proves to be more than he could have ever imagined.*This book is not meant for those who are easily offended by age-gap romances with vampires, forced captivity, toxic sexual relationships, morally gray characters, manipulative coercion, and opinions against organized religion and stripping women of their reproductive rights.If you can handle all that, I welcome you to the world of Shadow and Stone.