The Ragpicker King (The Chronicles of Castellane Book 2)

In the explosive sequel to the New York Times bestseller Sword Catcher—called “everything I look for in fantasy” by George R. R. Martin—destiny, deception, and forbidden love collide in the glittering yet treacherous city of Castellane.

Kel Saren, secret body double and protector to Crown Prince Conor, is torn between loyalty and longing. After a brutal massacre at the royal palace, Kel is tasked with uncovering a conspiracy that threatens the entire royal family. His only lead forces him into an uneasy alliance with the Ragpicker King, the shadowy ruler of Castellane’s criminal underworld. The trail leads Kel back to the opulent Hill, where nobles hide monstrous secrets—and where Artal Gremont, a ruthless aristocrat and Kel’s rival for the woman he loves, leads a plot that could plunge the kingdom into chaos.

Meanwhile, Lin Caster faces the consequences of a dangerous lie. To save a dying friend, she claimed to be the Goddess Reborn, a prophesied savior of her people. Now a powerful and fearsome leader has arrived to test her abilities, demanding proof—or exile. To maintain her fragile deceit and access the magic she desperately needs, Lin must also negotiate with the enigmatic Ragpicker King. But when Prince Conor returns, begging her to heal the King’s spiraling madness, Lin discovers an ancient magic awakening within her—along with a risky attraction she can no longer ignore.

As rebellion brews and dark magic rises, Kel and Lin must choose between love and duty, truth and survival. In a city where betrayal glitters brighter than gold, one wrong move could cost them their lives—and the fate of Castellane.