Wing and Crown by L. Darby Gibbs

The war for the dragons has only grown more deadly. And more personal.

She was always enough.

He saw it first.

Sulia Dek is one of the first dragon riders and one of the deadliest. Her sword is unmatched, her loyalty unquestioned, and her honesty… unavoidable.

But her weakness is something she cannot fight.

With one arm bound close to her chest, Sulia has spent her life proving she belongs on the battlefield, in the skies, and anywhere strength is demanded. Letting anyone close enough to see doubt? That's a battle she refuses to lose.

Until the king gives her no choice.

Arnor has ruled since he was a boy, forged by loss and determined to protect his people from the ogres who took his family. He needs strength at his side, and there is no one he trusts more than Sulia Dek.

So he appoints her his bodyguard.

Sulia doesn't want the role. Arnor doesn't give her the option.

While the ogres unleash a deadly plague on the dragons of Shartres, the kingdom stands on the edge of collapse. And enemies beyond their borders may be waiting to strike.

But the greatest threat to their future may come from those who believe Sulia has no place at a king's side.

Some battles aren't fought with steel.

And some truths are harder to face than any enemy. Especially when the heart is on the line.

The Fifth Flight series is a clean & wholesome, slow-burn romantasy in a challenging fantasy world of dragons, similar to the style of Rebecca Yarros' Fourth Wing.

Tropes

Bodyguard

Slow-burn romance

He-falls-first

Warrior heroine

Dragon riders

Opposing social status

Forced proximity

Kingdom Under Attack

Magic