A Fall From Purpose - Mikayla D Hornedo

It was decided many years ago that Solani would not inherit her father's throne. Not when the blood of her shunned mother flowed through her veins. For on that day they buried the queen deep within the ground, the shamans found her unworthy of an afterlife.

An ancient relic now weighs Solani's soul, a golden scale that measures the depth of her darkness. If she fulfills her purpose, the scale will balance, and the council will no longer deem her a risk to the earth kingdom's legacy. She must obey in hopes that one day she will gain her freedom, including participating in the ruthless, magicless trials in the Inbetween.

Within these trials dwell otherworldly monsters, yet the participants prove just as deadly. Especially Solani's rival, Niko Vasco of the water kingdom. This year, the shamans believe that if she wins the trial, her scale will finally balance.

What Solani didn't expect was fate forcing the two to fight side by side against the true evil at work within the Inbetween. Now she must choose to follow her purpose and save herself, or defy it to save everyone in Bonda.