The Taste of Lies — Mindi Briar

A charismatic, sexy guitarist...who's here to kill.Deep undercover as a hot new rock band on the Moon Palace, Jed and his team are Greenjacket rebels with a mission: assassinate problematic royals and destabilize the Emperor's rule. When a disastrous failed attempt draws the attention of his ex, a noble lady, Jed fears his cover's about to be blown. Lady Saray is far too perceptive, and the way she gets him to say things he's sworn to keep secret is...almost like magic.A royal lady-in-waiting who can literally smell a lie.The ability to taste the truth, and even force others to tell it, keeps Saray alive in the viciously competitive Moon Palace society. But it also makes her a perilous weapon in the wrong hands. If the Emperor knew the extent of her power, he'd use her against the people and planets she loves. A kidnapping that puts them all in danger.When a young prince is stolen and Saray's father framed, the Emperor threatens an attack against her peaceful home planet. With both Saray's and Jed's secrets on the brink of being revealed, they team up with Simon, a reclusive hacker, to track down the child before it's too late. Trusting each other-and facing their darkest fears-might be their only chance to keep the galaxy from exploding into war. This action-packed continuation of the Halcyon Universe series includes an aromantic main character, a low-spice M/M romance, and a heaping tablespoon of feminine rage. It can be read standalone, but to avoid spoilers, read in order after Petrichor Blooms and The Invisible Bright.