Smoke and Scar - Gretchen Powell Fox

Set in the divided world of Arcanis, where humans and magical races have been enemies for centuries, the Arcane Crucible offers a rare chance at peace through a deadly series of trials held every 25 years. Elyria Lightbreaker, a grieving fae warrior haunted by her past, enters the trials to prevent further loss, while Cedric Thorne, a human knight driven by vengeance, seeks victory for his kind. Forced to work together despite deep mistrust and shared pain, they must survive brutal challenges and fragile alliances. As danger and betrayal surround them, their growing connection complicates everything. In the Crucible, survival may demand more than strength—it may require trust.