Some secrets are too monstrous to keep.

Nine years ago, an attempt on Hattie’s life forced her into hiding. All Hattie wants now is the freedom to be herself and fulfil her dream of becoming an apothecary—so when a prestigious alchemist invites Hattie to lend her talents to a research program seeking to eradicate a curse from the realm, in spite of the risk, she accepts. 

What she doesn’t expect is for Noble Asheren to be a part of the study, too. Not only was he her childhood best friend and the only man to break her heart—it’s his fault Hattie had to go into hiding all those years ago, and their reunion could prove disastrous.

Noble Asheren has monster blood in his veins—and the potions he’s been taking to keep the curse at bay are losing effectiveness. No one can know about his curse; for the sake of Hattie’s safety and his own, Noble is determined to keep his distance. 

But late nights studying in the library and running magical experiments in the lab make it difficult for them to avoid their complicated feelings and fraught history. And when mysterious assassins start targeting fellow alchemists, Hattie and Noble realize that their secrets aren’t the only threats to the kingdom.

As desire and deception thrust Hattie and Noble into a world of dark magic and shocking conspiracies, they’ll be forced to face their perilous past—before their Fates are cursed forever.