A princess who swore she’d never fall in love. A bodyguard bound to protect her with his life. And a set of anonymous love letters that could ruin them both.

Princess Chhaya has been told it is time for her to marry. To make matters worse, her father has assigned a bodyguard to protect her from the Blood Magicians that have been leaving destruction across the Kingdom.

Chhaya proposes a deal to her father—she will host eligible suitors at the palace and give each one a fair chance to win her hand. But her decision will be final.

As Chhaya welcomes the bachelors and enjoys the lavish picnics, intimate promenades and beautiful balls, she finds her patience tested by the constant presence of her bodyguard, Favian, who seems to take his job far too seriously.

In an effort to escape his watchful eye, Chhaya begins writing anonymous love letters to Favian, pretending to be a secret admirer.

But as the letters become more intense and the Blood Magicians draw closer to the kingdom, Chhaya finds herself caught in a dangerous love triangle between her duty as a princess and her growing feelings for Favian.

With the fate of the kingdom at stake, Chhaya must make a decision that could determine her happily ever after.

The Stone of Essence is a spice-free romantic fantasy of palace intrigue, slow-burn yearning, and devotion under threat.