The Lionheart’s Bond by S. A. Monroe

In the distant realm of Ilystra, where curses and secrets intertwine, Prince Judel bears a burden heavier than his royal lineage. By day, he transforms into a majestic mountain lion, cursed by an ancient magic. But when he strays too far from home, he stumbles into a neighbouring kingdom, where danger lurks in the shadows.

Isidore, a downtrodden servant in the Duke of Stonehollow’s household, knows the sting of mistreatment all too well. His days are spent caring for the Duke’s animals, his spirit crushed by years of neglect. When Isidore confronts the heartless Duke, he’s forced to flee, desperate for freedom.
Chased by the Duke’s relentless guards, Isidore’s path collides with destiny. In a desperate act of courage, he shields an innocent mountain lion from an arrow, sacrificing himself. But fate has other plans. Isidore awakens in Ilystra’s royal palace, bewildered and disoriented, with no memory of how he got there.
As the kingdom grapples with political turmoil and lost emissaries, Judel and Isidore find solace in each other’s company.
Their bond grows stronger, fuelled by shared secrets and forbidden desires. Yet, lurking shadows threaten to tear them apart—the curse that binds Judel, the mysteries shrouding Isidore’s past, and the fragile trust they’ve built.
In a world where magic and love collide, can Judel and Isidore break free from their chains and forge a bond that defies fate? Or will their secrets unravel the fragile threads of their hearts?

The Lionsheart’s Bond weaves a tale of sacrifice, redemption, and love against all odds—a bond that transcends kingdoms and dares to defy destiny itself. It is an explicit, grumpy x sunshine MM Fantasy Romance novel with a HEA. It is book 1 of the Bonds of Dusk and Dawn Series.