Im not who you think I am.

My transformation from a poor, orphaned scullery maid into the enchantingly mysterious lady who snagged the heart of the prince did not happenas the rumors insistedin a magical metamorphosis of pumpkins and glass slippers. On the first evening of the ball, I didnt meekly help my evil stepmother and stepsisters primp and preen or watch forlornly out the window as their carriage rolled off toward the palace. I had other preparations to make.

My stepsisters and I had been trained for thisto be the cleverest in the room, to be quick with our hands and quicker with our lies. We were taught how to get everything we wanted in this world, everything men always kept for themselves: power, wealth, and prestige. And with a touchingly tragic past and the help of some highly illegal spells, I would become a princess, secure our fortunes, and we would all live happily ever after.

But theres always more to the story. With my magic running out, war looming, and a handsome hostage princethewrongprincedistracting me from my true purpose with his magnetic charm and forbidden flirtations, Im in danger of losing control of the delicate balance Ive created . . . and that could prove fatal.

Theres so much more riding on this than a crown.