Prince Severin isn't interested in princesses, if he had his pick of princes, now that would be a different matter. But for a prince, duty must come first. Love and duty clash when he falls in love with a freed slave, now a wizard's apprentice. Magic, political intrigue and adventure await.
The Nightrunner Series by Lynn Flewelling;
The Steel Remains by Richard Morgan;
The Last Herald Mage by Mercedes Lackey