Fey Empire (Fey Lords Book 5) by S. Rodman

An arranged marriage, a magic vessel trained to be submissive, and a fey prince that is hiding secrets about court as well as his feelings for his new consort. Laurie doesn't want to be a pawn in his mother's ambitions, but being with Selwyn may end up being a blessing in disguise.


From the blurb:

My mother raised me to worship monsters. Now she’s given me to one.

I was born into her cult, raised on stories of the fey, of the magic slumbering in my blood, of the glory that would come when they returned to conquer Earth.

I was taught to kneel, to serve, to prepare myself for the day I would give up my magic. My body was never mine. It was a gift waiting to be claimed.

She always said it would be a fey prince.

I didn’t think that was possible. I thought it was a myth she clung to. A story to make obedience feel holy.

But now the portals have been opened. The fey have returned.

And I’ve been offered to Prince Selwyn Y Mabinogi, a creature with antlers, cat-slitted eyes and a smile that seems false.

My magic is the offering. My body is the vessel. My submission is the key.

He says he is proud I’m to be his. That he’ll gladly take my magic… and everything else I have to offer.

He touches me like I already belong to him. Speaks to me like I’m precious. Breakable. His.

I was never taught how to want. Never meant to enjoy any of this.

But my body answers to him like it was made for this.

And I’m starting to wonder if maybe it was.


SNik's review:

Fifth in series (Fey Lords), best if read in order. Paranormal fantasy. Arranged marriage. Hurt/comfort. Found family. Single POV. Heed content warnings. 

Laurie has trained to be a vessel all his life and now he is married to a fey prince, but still unsure of his place as a fey consort. Trying to understand what Selwyn wants from him beyond submission is difficult, but Selwyn is kind and caring, and away from his mother’s abuse Laurie feels unusually safe with Selwyn. 

This story continues the overarching plotline of the series with court intrigue, a main couple that have very spicy times together, and the beginnings of a loyal found family. Luckily Selwyn eventually shares some of his motivations with Laurie, but the fish out of water scenario doesn’t make as much sense with Laurie as he should have been taught by his mother all things fey. Regardless, I really enjoyed Laurie and his innocence and how much you can tell Selwyn is trying with him even if communication is minimal at first. There are parts of this series that are really heart wrenching (Dyfri), so sometimes it’s hard to continue, but I do enjoy seeing the royal family happy and with their chosen partners having an eventual HEA.


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