Shadow War by Deborah Chester

This compilation of text primarily focuses on two individuals: Caelan, a gladiator struggling with his violent skills and desire for freedom, and Elandra, a young woman unexpectedly thrust into a position of imperial power amidst political intrigue and supernatural threats. Caelan's story tracks his prowess in the arena, his complicated relationship with his master Prince Tirhin, and his desperate search for freedom while facing betrayal and ancient evils. Meanwhile, Elandra's narrative details her sudden marriage to the aging emperor, her attempts to navigate court politics and ancient prophecies, and her journey toward embracing her destiny and protecting the empire from internal and external enemies, including the treacherous Lord Sien. The two protagonists' paths converge as they become unwilling allies against the encroaching darkness.