Magic isn't rare. But seeing it with your own eyes? That’s the kind of gift you keep buried.

Neya Everille has spent her life hiding a dangerous secret—she’s a synesthete, someone who can perceive magic with all their senses. In a kingdom where such gifts are considered a threat to the Crown, hiding her power is a death sentence—should anyone uncover the truth.

Neya was born into a powerful family of jewelry-enchanters, but her affinity for plants over metals—and her apparent lack of magical talent—made her a disappointment. Now, at university, she hopes to finally belong, studying the only thing that’s ever made sense to her: botany.
However, her peace is short-lived. With her secret discovered, Neya is forced into a series of deadly after-hours missions. Her only hope is Ian, the chancellor’s handsome son. Witty, confident, and unexpectedly interested in her, he offers Neya the kind of recognition and support she never found in her family or society. But with war looming, and the government tightening its grip on the magical citizens and forcing university students into combat classes, every path forward carries risk.

And the deeper Neya digs—into roots both botanical and political—the more she uncovers a truth buried beneath the soil of their society. One that could upend everything.

Perfect for fans of slow-burn romantic fantasy, morally grey characters, and magical academia with sharp political edges, The Roots That Bind Us is a story of hidden power, dangerous trust, and a girl who was never chosen but changed everything anyway.