Jaded Stone (Souls of the Stones, #0.9)

In Cornerstone, Valencia Roth died to protect her daughter. In Jaded Stone, she'll live for her. Twenty years before the events of Cornerstone, Valencia Roth is the Crown Princess of Sheas, as lonely as she is privileged. She wants for nothing, except a clear path toward peace for her land. She's always known personal happiness might not be in The Three's plan for her. As the future ruler of Sheas, and a Cornerstone, her life belongs to her people. But when Valencia meets the charming Reid Hendel, she dares to believe love could be within her reach. That is, if they can both survive long enough for it to blossom. A new threat prowls the land, and she's their primary target. Armed with stubborn pride and all the resources of Sheas, she fears nothing-until her brother leads her intended directly into the fray and at least one of them doesn't return. Burdened with grief, Valencia must carve her own path forward. From the forge of chaos, a new era will be born.