Arcana Academy by Elise Kova

A thief with forbidden magic.
A prince who plays by no one’s rules.
A game where the prize could remake the world.

Clara Graysword has survived the shadowed streets of Eclipse City with nothing but quick hands, sharp instincts, and a talent for crafting illegal tarot cards. But when a botched job earns her a lifetime sentence, her fate seems sealed—until the Arcana Academy’s magnetic, maddening headmaster offers her a deal.

Prince Kaelis needs her rare gift to steal a card from the king’s own deck, one that could resurrect a power thought lost to history. His solution? Bring her into the academy under the guise of being his newest student… and his betrothed.

Within the gilded halls, Clara faces dangerous lessons in magic, whispered court conspiracies, and a fiancé she swore she’d despise—yet can’t seem to stop wanting. But every card they play draws them deeper into a game of desire, deception, and destiny. And when the final hand is dealt, only one of them can hold all the power.

🔮 Magical academy
🔮 Enemies-to-lovers tension
🔮 Fake engagement
🔮 Perfect for fans of Divine Rivals and Serpent & Dove

✨ In a world ruled by cards, love might be the most dangerous hand of all.