MARKLESS

In a world where marks on the skin dictate your social status and indicate the type of magic you wield, a young Markless witch and a princess must join forces to break tradition.

Ruti is Markless, lacking any pattern on her palm that would tie her to elemental magic. Without a Mark, she’s an outcast from society and looked down upon by the Marked. Nevertheless, 18-year-old Ruti is a powerful witch. Through her singing, “she has the favor of the spirits”; unlike the Bonded, whose marks show their mastery over one element, Ruti’s respect toward the spirits grants her broad powers. Princess Dekala’s uncle insists that she must become bonded to a prince or noble before she can claim the throne of Zidesh, and he has scholars at work attempting to find her soulbond. When a purloined ring leads to the young women’s paths crossing, Dekala gives Ruti a choice: use her magic to help Dekala avoid soulbinding with any of her suitors or suffer the consequences. Though hatred burns between them, Ruti and Dekala find themselves caught up in a whirlwind that could reshape their futures and the future of the Markless forever. Fast-paced and thrilling, this magical fantasy brings the enemies-to-lovers trope to new heights while poignantly examining themes of poverty, discrimination, and sexuality. Ruti has olive skin; Dekala has brown skin, and the supporting cast is fantasy diverse.

An immersive, page-turning Sapphic fantasy romance.