A Crown of Smoke and Saffron

She smells lies. He is one. Nadeera has survived the spice souk on a secret: lies smell like burnt sugar to her. It is a gift she has hidden since childhood, because the kindled must be registered — and she never was. When the king is poisoned and suspicion creeps toward the people she loves, her gift becomes the one thing the royal investigation cannot do without. Kairan needs her nose. She needs his protection. Their bargain is a public engagement neither of them wants: she walks into court at his side, and he keeps her name out of the registry. But the palace is built on lies, and Nadeera can smell every one of them — including the ones Kairan tells himself about the fire he carries. As a traitor closes in and the engagement stops feeling like a performance, Nadeera must decide what the truth is worth — and Kairan must decide what his fire is for. A Crown of Smoke and Saffron is the first book in The Ember Crown, a desert fantasy romance: arranged engagement, court intrigue, slow-burn trust, and a hopeful ending. The story continues in A Bride of Salt and Starlight. AI disclosure: Most of this book's text was generated by AI agents from the author's ideas and with his assistance.