Taken to the Altar

By Karyn K Ballard

Under the shadow of a cursed crown, one woman must risk everything to change the fate of a kingdom built on betrayal.
Kaelith never asked to wear a stranger's face.
Raised in obscurity and haunted by flickers of a forgotten life, Kaelith is thrust into a world of royal masks, sacred bloodlines, and dangerous secrets when she's chosen to impersonate the long-lost Princess Avelyn. To survive, she must walk the knife edge between deceit and destiny-all while navigating the treacherous politics of a court that would kill her if they knew the truth.
But Kaelith is no puppet.
When a forbidden magic stirs in her veins, and whispers of an ancient prophecy awaken, she realizes her life is not a borrowed lie-it's a challenge to fate itself.
The Blood Moon rises, and with it, the final phase of a dark ritual that has enslaved the royal line for generations. The real Avelyn lives-but in exile, hunted and broken. As their paths collide, Kaelith must forge a fragile alliance with the one girl who should hate her most.
And then there's Rhyen-the cursed prince sworn to protect the crown, even if it costs him his soul. As Kaelith's loyalty frays and feelings stir beneath the surface, she's faced with an impossible choice: follow the prophecy and break the cycle... or fall victim to it like every queen before her.
In a world where identity is weaponized, and thrones are bought with blood, can a woman not born of royalty rewrite a legacy built on ruin? Or will she become the final sacrifice to a destiny she never chose?
Taken to the Altar is a spellbinding high fantasy full of slow-burn romance, twisty betrayals, ancient magic, and heroines who burn their own paths into history. This is not a tale of fate-it's a story of fire, choice, and defiance.
Praise for Taken to the Altar:

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: B0F8QQ115D
• ISBN13: 9798283917474
• Release Date: May 2025
• Publisher: Independently Published
• Length: 382 Pages
• Weight: 1.12 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 9.0"