Crowned by the Stone Queen

Slum-born student Cade is bullied, thrown from the White Tower, and left for dead—only to discover Maren, the legendary Stone Queen, chained beneath the city and drained as its secret power source. Everyone sees her as a monster or a weapon. Cade sees a prisoner who deserves freedom. After breaking her chains, he becomes the only human she trusts—and the one weakness her enemies can exploit. Duke Austin offers Cade everything he has ever wanted: noble blood, medicine for his sick mother, and a seat among the elite. The price is Maren. Cade refuses. Branded a traitor and hunted above and below ground, he uses his genius for machines and a mysterious stone mark to unite the Stoneborn, miners, and slum dwellers against the Black Crown. When the fallen city finally offers him a noble title, Cade rejects the silver badge. He takes Maren’s stone crown instead, choosing to rule beside her in a new world where no one has to kneel.