Prince and Betrothed (Perilous Courts Book 5) by Tavia Lark

When his betrothed flees the country before he arrives, Sei is abruptly passed to the next prince of Draskora, the legendary dragon rider Marek Dire. But Marek abhors the idea of mages using grails, and since he has enough power of his own, an arranged marriage to grail, no matter how pretty, is not what he wants. Prince and Betrothed is book 5 in the Perilous Courts series.

From the blurb:

Being claimed shouldn’t feel so lonely.

Sei’s power isn’t truly his. As a grail, his role is to serve a mage by augmenting their magic. He’s equally nervous and excited about his arranged betrothal. After a life without intimacy, Sei will finally fulfill his true purpose as a treasured, valuable grail.

There’s only one problem: Sei’s new betrothed is the legendary Marek Dire.

The dragonrider prince is powerful, intimidating, and larger than life—or at least larger than Sei. Prince Marek doesn’t want a husband, especially one like this. Sei might be captivating, but he’s also too delicate and obedient. Marek vows to break the betrothal, and he refuses to use Sei as a grail.

No matter how much Sei wants to be used.

But Marek underestimates Sei. Wielding kindness as a weapon, Sei discovers unexpected tenderness in Marek—and new fierceness in himself. But being a grail in power-hungry Draskora is dangerous, and Marek still fears two things. That someone else might hurt Sei…

…or that Marek himself will.

Prince and Betrothed is a high fantasy gay romance, with an arranged marriage, dragons, and shameless displays of affection. The Perilous Courts series is best read in order, and Prince and Betrothed continues the three-book arc about the princes of Draskora.

SNik's Review:

Fifth in series (Perilous Courts), best if read in order. Paranormal fantasy. Arranged marriage. Slow burn. Dual POV. 

Sei has spent his whole life being trained to be the perfect grail. Accommodating and polite, someone that has a well of magic but only another mage can use the power Sei provides. When Prince Marek’s older brother flees the country, Marek is required to accept the abandoned arranged betrothal his brother left behind, but as a dragon rider he doesn’t need a grail, and the idea of using another to increase his own power is distasteful. No matter how attractive Sei is. 

Both Marek and Sei are likable characters that only want to do well by the other and have to meet somewhere in the middle to communicate what they want and what they are willing to be when they are together. 

Well written, this is a fun universe, especially with the special animals that have the ability to talk telepathically. Marek and Sei were a sweet couple that complement each other well. 

I am happily/impatiently awaiting more intrigue from the royal Dire family that have to struggle to find their HEA.

Rating: 4.25 Stars

Prince and Betrothed is available to buy as an ebook, paperback, or to read with Kindle Unlimited subscription.