The Pale Emperor — Cecile Tellier

Damien Bowden's life was difficult enough with his curse, add the innocent daughter of a meddling Empress hell-bent on marrying her off to anyone with beneficial political ties. Damien could ignore her much like all the other women that fell victim to his curse if only he wasn't genuinely intrigued by Vivienne, and if Vivienne's reactions to him were genuine he was in trouble. Vivienne grew up knowing her place in the world. Her mother was an Empress of the realm and she would do as she was told and be married off for the benefit of their people and their political needs. Vivienne was quite resigned to this fact. When Damien Bowden opened his door the last thing he expected was to find a quiet slip of a girl on the other side. His curse had caused him to isolate himself for years and his rusty manners were not prepared for Vivienne Perone. Together they make an unlikely pair, and when Damien can no longer resist his attraction to Vivienne he begins the least traditional courtship known to history. Will Vivienne and Damien work out their differences or will they be unable to find a middle ground?