Raised in the shadow of their parents’ loyalty to the Dark Lord, Ella Blackthorn and Mattheo Riddle have always known each other from cold manor gatherings, though they’ve never been close. While Mattheo ran with Draco, Theo and Enzo, quiet Ella grew up alongside her fiercely loyal best friend Isla Crouch, both trapped by expectations they never asked for. Now, as the Dark Lord’s son, Mattheo is the one sent to convince Ella to take the Dark Mark—knowing full well she fears it more than anything. He sees the doubt she hides from everyone else, and must persuade her to bind herself to a legacy neither of them truly wants.