What's the Name of That Book??? discussion

I'm so glad I found you guys. I read this as an e-book (maybe Australian/UK book?) about a year or two ago. I believe that it is a series, but that the last book isn't/wasn't done at that time. The cover had a guy and a girl on it. The girl had really bright red hair. They were both dressed in black, leather-like outfits.

The girl goes to this school-type place to learn magic. There are three areas: healing, combat/battle and one other that I forget. She goes into the combat one where like 3/4 of the candidates are culled (or something like that). Twelve of them make it past the first (year/round something) but she's nominated as the 13th one (I think those numbers are right). Her best talent is pain casting and this second son prince both treats her badly and then helps her with her magic. The girl is scared of his older brother and I think he assaulted another girl. The MC brother joins the army or somethign like it and she seems him often later on.

At some point the get engaged. I hope you guys can help me find it so I can finish the series!

I just remembered a little thing. I believe it was a YA book and that the combat mages in training had to fight each other and win for testing. She fought the prince and always lost.

First Year: The Black Mage #1 by Rachel E Carter?

First Year for the link.

I love you guys!! That's it! Solved.