Magic isn't rare. But seeing it with your own eyes? That’s the kind of gift you keep buried.
Alanea “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 means execution.
Neya was born into a powerful family of jewel-enchanters, but her affinity for plants over metals—and her apparent lack of magical talent—made her a quiet disappointment. Now, at university, she hopes to finally belong, studying the only thing that’s ever made sense to her: botany.
Her peace is short-lived though. Zander Leverne—clever, calculating, and far too observant—uncovers her secret and blackmails her into helping him with a series of dangerous, after-hours missions. Then there’s Ian, the chancellor’s son and society's golden boy, who offers Neya the safety and influence she’s always longed for. But with war looming and the government tightening its grip on magical citizens, both choices may cost her more than she’s willing to give.
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.