Princess of Thorns — Amberlyn Holland

Dark Kingdoms Curse Prequel Novella At the moment tyrannical King Aegron the Cruel was assassinated, each of his children was struck by a different dark curse. Five years later, the Dark Kingdom is struggling to survive. Princess Islyne's body sleeps undisturbed behind a wall of thorns. But her mind is awake and able to explore the kingdom unseen. And, within the bramble forest that's become her home, her spirit takes on a form that is almost real. For the first time in her sheltered, restricted life, Izzy knows what it's like to feel free. Duke Conall will do whatever is necessary to protect his kingdom from the damage and chaos left in the curse's wake. Even if it means rescuing the bride he never wanted.  But Islyne's not the meek princess he remembers, and she has no intention of living her life as nothing more than a political pawn. So when Conall mistakes her for a servant, Izzy hatches a plan to keep him far from the Palace where her body sleeps. As the danger grows, however, she realizes maybe there's more to Conall too. She's just not sure if the gentle kindness lurking beneath the arrogant mask is enough to risk spending the her life as nothing more than a political pawn. It's going to take more than a simple kiss for Islyne and Conall to find their Happily-Ever-After.  This Sleeping Beauty inspired fantasy romance novella features a cursed princess, an arrogant duke, mistaken identity, and a mysterious magical cat.