The Unseen Hand: Illumidar Book I by Narcissa Navarre

For years, the faceless terror known as the Hand of Fate has been secretly manipulating the port city of Reyza for her shadowy ends. Those she favors rise in power while those who betray her are never heard from again. When the opportunity to eliminate a powerful dynasty presents itself, the Hand of Fate conspires with a sadistic diplomat who shares the king’s bed. Together, they hatch a plan to assassinate their rivals. The plan is flawless, every variable calculated—except for one. On the night that the Hand of Fate’s hired assassin makes his move, a notorious thief is also making his. Jarle Jadien has had it with the gray-haired harpy whom he serves and succumbs to the greatest temptation of all: the Ensther estate, home to the king’s betrothed and a fortune of jewels. When the risky heist takes a disastrous turn, Jarle finds himself in possession of a treasure he has no intention of keeping: Avaren Ensther is beauty and intrigue in one, and a keeper of secrets that reach far beyond Jarle’s world of whiskey and disrepute. Reyza’s infamous thief has had his heart stolen from under his nose, but time will tell if his sirenic temptress proves worthy. Within the city walls, a retired war-hero investigates the conspiracy and attempts to prevent an all-out war. However, he finds that success is not a foregone conclusion. Too many vengeful plots have festered and too much blood has spilled. As the moons reach a cataclysmic alignment, unleashing the force of the tides, neither hero, criminal, nor all-powerful monarch can escape the tendrils of fate.