Divine Rivals meets Fourth Wing in a lavish, achingly romantic fantasy set against the dark glamour of a school for dangerous magic. Welcome to Oculus Dei, the most prestigious school in the empire. Here, the brightest Imperial mages learn to master their burgeoning magic. But for Epona, the school is no dream -- it's a ruthless battlefield. Born in the Gutters, Epona was raised to serve, not to wield power. That changes when she miraculously heals a flightless pegasus whose wings have been clipped. The act reveals magical talents that shock the empire and give her the chance to attend Oculus Dei where she'll become one of the elites instead of serving them. The catch? She must finish first in her class or have her magic violently stripped away forever. The only person who stands in her way is Lord Iolo, the empire's golden boy. Not only does he dominate the class rankings, he's everything Epona was raised to despise. Yet beneath his aloof exterior, he's kind and generous. But romance between Epona's kind and the Imperials is forbidden, and his overtures are a distraction she can't afford... one that makes her vulnerable to sabotage. Failure isn't an option for Epona, but when she discovers the shocking, horrifying source of the Imperials' magic, she must decide what she's truly fighting for: a permanent place in this gilded society? Or the chance to burn it all down...