The Water Dragon'S Bride

What exactly does it mean to be his bride? *** Every year, in each of the seven villages that made up the great Kingdom of Ignas, a Choosing Ritual was conducted. During this Chosing Ritual, one of the ladies in the village would be chosen to be the dreaded Dragon King's Bride. No one knew exactly why the ritual was being performed every year or what happened to the brides that had been chosen in the past. Was he turning them into slaves? Feeding them to his dragon? Or was he... feeding on them? That couldn't be ruled out. After all, there were rumours that the king wasn't like them, that he wasn't human. Yet the question relentlessly troubled the people's heart. What was he using them for?! But they dared not question the King, afraid of what fate daring to go against him would be. Anyways, none of these was Belladonna's business. Although it was her village's turn to produce a bride this year, she was certain she wouldn't get chosen. Why? Well, because she had a plan and she was absolutely certain it wouldn't fail her... or would it? *** Note - This novel contains mature content. - Cover isn't mine. Full credit to the artist. Should they require that I take it down, I will. __ Want to give me more inspiration? Weekly Goals. 15 golden tickets - 1 bonus chapter. 200 power stones - 1 bonus chapter. ((Please help me meet them, thank you!)) Please check out my other books. 1. Stealing The Alphas' Soul (In a competition, please support). 2. Mated To The King Of Darkness 3. Dangerously Yours Till Eternity. Also, please check out "MOANSTERS // Reverse Harem" if you are interested in Reverse Harem stories. Thank you!

_ _ _ MXFXF relationship. Please read the note _______ She was married to a wealthy alpha when she was 20. She was forced to live as a widow at the age of 21 despite her husband being alive and well. Anabella lived her life suppressing her emotions and what she felt, all for the sake of her family. Her parents sold her off to secure a future for their Alpha son, while the family she got married into was not ready to accept her. Her husband hated her, his gaze searching for someone else among the crowd. And her son-in-law sought the image of his mother in someone else, not giving her a chance even to get close. Life was not...great. So, Anabella decided to end it all and run away. If she were going to live as a widow, despite her marriage, then she would make the best of it and ensure that she would not have to repress herself. After all, even if she was married, Anabella was not marked. And for some, that was enough reason to accept and welcome her to her new life. ...... MXFXF relationship. Female alphas are futas, so come in expecting that It will have yuri and a lot of R18 content. You have been warned beforehand

7/31/2024~ In the process of editing and updating my earlier chapters. I personally believe the story starts to improve and find it's way a bit more around chapter 50+. Hopefully can make some adjustments in earlier chapters when I have the time, but pacing slows down into a more measured rate as I start finding my groove. I give the content more time to breathe instead of going so fast. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the realm of Nexaria, where elemental spirits and divine beings shape the fate of the world as a land of mortals striving to become gods against the demons of the Abyssal universe, a young boy named Lassim Vanthar embarks on an extraordinary journey of advancement, adventure and becoming a bastion for those around him in their fight against the Dragal. Born into a noble family with a legacy of Fire elemental martial prowess, Lassim possesses an unparalleled gift on his 8th birthday—a connection to two differing elemental spirits, a feat unheard of in the history of his world. A gift and a tampering of the order until now that is an omen. It is a sign of the Gods influencing the future fate of Nexaria on a more serious level. Lassim must harness the power of his dual spirits to protect his loved ones and confront the looming threat of the Abyss' encroachment on his universe, but one step at a time as he grows from just a tool of the God's to a major power as the hero of not only Nexaria, but the entire universe. Lassim faces daunting challenges, battles fierce adversaries, and unlocks the mysteries of his own destiny that has been tampered with by the Gods of this universe. How will he react and adapt to his situations? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This is my first ever novel. I’m a new author and still learning how to tell a story. Please understand that when reading. Thank you.

In order not to bring the wrath of the Galwynn Empire Duke upon their kingdom, the Everia King gave out his daughter as a potential bride. In a world full of power-thirsty rulers, nowhere was safe. Hareton Sullivan, the bloodthirsty Duke has eyes for the baker's daughter only but the political truce between him and the Everia King must stand. Will Princess Marcella Dominic allow the Duke's heart to be stolen by the commoner's daughter? What will Victoria do when she finds out that the Duke is heartless and cruel?.

When the human princess, Lareina is sent as a bride for a peace treaty between the demons and humans, she ends up in a political marriage with the second prince of demons, Prince Azrael. Lareina falls for his gentleness that sets him apart from the rest of the demons in her eyes but on the night of their wedding, he is deployed to the war. Years after his abrupt departure, Azrael has finally emerged victorious and returned. However, much to Lareina's dismay, he has brought back a beautiful demoness with him. At the receiving end of his hatred, a heartbroken Lareina tries to save their marriage until all her hopes are shattered. Determined to carve a way for herself, she decides to end the marriage but she is met with a new challenge when her seemingly uncaring husband suddenly refuses to let her go.

Ava was twenty years old when she lost her life in a fire accident. She was reborn inside the body of a twenty years old shewolf named Ava in another parallel world. According to tradition, she was arranged to marry a powerful alpha named Leo. But in her path tp happiness were many daunting obstacles which would test her resolve endlessly.

[WARNING: MATURE CONTENT] Reborn into the world of her favorite novel, 'Auberon's Edge', as the maid of an unimportant side character - the doomed princess who would be married off to the villain and then killed in a fit of anger some time after they were married - Rache is faced with a moral dilemma: does she use her knowledge to flee the to-be-conquered nation and live somewhere she knows will be safe, or risk upturning the fate of the book by warning Princess Airie about her impending doom? Before Rache can decide, she's ambushed in her bedroom by the princess' guard. Knowing how dangerous the black hearted prince of Sidera is, the princess declares she's forcing her maid to go in her place due to the maid bearing a striking resemblance to her own rare features, while the real princess goes into hiding until her parents can find a way to get untangled from Sidera's web. "Remember, if the prince finds out the truth, he'll kill you first." Trapped in a marriage to a cold-hearted sadist who only loves violence, railroaded into a pointless ending before the story even begins. There is no escape to this twisted romance but death. Rache - the new Princess Airie - will not go so quietly into the night. "Let's break up!"

She was told that she was cursed. Perhaps she didn't need to be told. It was as clear as day. The only thing she wanted was MONEY. And she would do anything to get it. Even if it meant assuming the identity of her twin sister to change her fate. For one year. She didn't mind being a fake for one year and marrying the Wildfire Heir. He would barely be around, she had been told. 'He doesn't seem like much trouble,' she had also been told. 'The third son, on the other hand, is crazy. Stay away from him.' 'As for the second son... avoid him at all costs.' 'Do not cross his path.' But she did. She crossed his path. In fact, she went right into his path herself. And as if that wasn't bad enough, the groom was changed at the last minute. To the Second Son! He was as hot as he was cold. A terrifyingly sexy man who looked like the man she always saw in her dreams. Was this all merely a coincidence? But that wasn't all. She hadn't expected pretending to be her sister to be this tough. First of all, she missed a very important detail: her sister was a Lawyer. She, on the other hand, was only familiar with "You have the right to remain silent..." Secondly, her sister was picky. She was vegetarian. She didn't drink. And... she was bullied? And just maybe... there was more to her sudden disappearance. Her life was about to get much more complicated. Especially with those piercing blue eyes watching her every move like a predator on a mission. One year. Was the benefit worth it—worth putting her life on the line to deceive the Wildfires? She might die before the One Year was over. **** "Women like powerful men, Boss. They like to feel powerless when they are with a man." Hades had initially scoffed, but the idea had wormed its way into his mind. So when he saw her coming from the opposite direction, he decided to test this theory on her. Women liked to feel powerless, huh? As soon as she saw him, her gaze sharpened, wondering why that madman was looking at her with a determined glint in his eyes. Should she run away? But he was already in front of her. "What are you—" He scoops Alice off the ground in one swift motion and drapes her over his shoulder like a sack of flour. All shocked eyes turned to the scene, but no one dared say a word, as they froze mid-air. "HADES!! YOU IMBECILE! PUT ME DOWN THIS INSTANT!" She thrashes wildly, kicking her legs and flailing her arms. Hades, however, remains unfazed, carrying her out of the place with a triumphant smirk. He didn't believe in love theories, but he had a feeling she would be falling in love with him after this. At the other end, three of his underling watched the scene. "I think Lady Boss is enjoying it. She looks… happy." One noted. The other underling tried to stare intently at Alice's upside-down face. "I think so... I've never seen her look so bubbly around the boss." The third underling was watching, slack-jawed. He facepalmed dramatically. This wasn't what he meant when he told them women liked to feel powerless. Meanwhile, Alice... (Still screaming) *** Pleaseeee add to your library. A bit of dark and fluffy romance. 18+ Comedic. And makes you sit in the edge as Alice tries her best to never get caught (quite futile, I must say) See you in the comment section!

What can be considered a treasure? Brandon was the largest dragon there was. His old scales alone could buy an entire country. But he did not have a treasure to speak of. Just gold, glistering gems, and a homey cottage where he hid when the goings got tough. One day, as he was collecting wild herbs, he found his treasure. Beaten, with a slavery rune on him, barely alive. Pan was not much, but to Brandon, he was a treasure. A treasure fit for a dragon.

Dahlia a human girl is sold off to the Lycan king who as a peace treaty between the humans and the werewolves. Her first night and her new husband already tries to k!11 her while she's asleep, she can't hear or speak. They all think she's use less.But she's not as innocent as they presume. Dahlia is something sinister hiding behind an adorable sweet face. Rath is not fond of the idea of having a human wife, as beautiful as she is, he knows she's not as sweet as she looks. But something inside him prompts him to protect her. A complusion that he fears is going to be his Downfall. He finds out a secret the humans kept about Dahlia. She possesses a rare pure soul. Whoever possesses her soul would have the most invincible powers ever known mankind. But there's only one problem, make it two. One, he's not the only one aware about Dahlia's soul, and two, Dahlia has to willingly sell it to him. His only option is either make Dahlia fall in love with him or mind control Dahlia into selling her soul. He can't read Dahlia's mind, mind control out of the equation so he's only left with one option. Sounds easy right, make a human girl you h8 fall madly in love with you but how can it be easy when your ex is making a move on her?

Kanoa is a rare male omega, and because of a prophecy, he is ought to be married to an unknown Alpha. Living up to it, will it really to prosperity? or it is just a fluke?

What could be worse than getting married to a demon prince as a human princess for a forced truce? Being in a place surrounded by demons was like a nightmare to Aelin. Demons and humans have always despised each other after all. But things only go downhill, when her husband leaves her shortly after they spend a night together to go fight a war with unknown beings which leaves Aelin at the mercy of her enemies

A captivating tale of supernatural intrigue, revenge, and forbidden love, where loyalty is tested, and the past holds the power to shape the future. In a realm where the line between the living and the dead is fragile, QingWu embarks on a dangerous mission to uncover the hidden truths of her past. Haunted by betrayal and her father's family's dark secrets, she seeks vengeance, ready to fight any force that stands in her way. But when a forbidden connection with Xiao Chenyuan, the formidable Dread King, begins to grow, her path to revenge becomes more complicated. Bound by ancient forces and trapped in a world of spirits, QingWu must confront the ghosts of those she’s lost while discovering her own power. As the tension between revenge and love rises, she must decide whether to let the past consume her or embrace the possibility of a future that could heal the wounds she’s carried for so long.

What makes dragons strong? It's not their power or magic, but their mind. Arrogance, greed, Iron Will, and the lack of human restraints. What would happen if you threw such a creature into human society? Would they understand humans? What does love even mean to them? This is the situation that our MC, Arad Orion found himself in. A newborn dragon bringing "Might make Right" to the humanoids, but why? Due to an abnormal condition, the mighty void dragons are on the brink of extinction. Their bodies have suddenly started rejecting their kind. Due to that, Arad's mother dropped his egg into a forest where he could hatch safely, leaving him with a fragment of her consciousness and informing him of the condition of their race. From that point, his goal became clear. To save their race by either finding a cure for their condition or going the second route of making more void dragons. But, sadly, nothing is ever that easy. Finding a cure is almost impossible. Arad is still practically a newborn and cannot tap into the terrifying might of his race, and his rarity makes him a prime target for mages and scholars seeking to study the dying race. Dragons are arrogant, proud, and vicious. Yet those feeling extends to those whom they love. You who touched a dragon's love, Retribution is an insult, and life is a crime. Beware as merely existing draws the dragon's wrath. Follow Arad on his journey as he grows from a naive wyrmling to a grown dragon with enough wisdom and power to stand with the strongest of the world. *** If you liked the story, please support it with power stones and comments! The story now has a Discord server. Please visit it to see character art by me and the community. https://discord.gg/CPJXDj6Adg *** You can contact me at Discord at any time Alen_Tanor#1599 And last. Please don't forget to leave a review, it really helps!

#darkromance #mystery #dark #suspense #thriller #betrayal When someone falls in love, that person becomes their entire world. But what happens when that love is the very thing that destroys their world? That’s exactly what happened to Ibadat Mathur. The man she loved, Saaransh, who had promised to stand by her side forever, abandoned her when their love was on the verge of being complete. Fate took a cruel turn, and Ibadat found herself tied in marriage not to her lover but to his older brother, Shlok Goenka. Shlok—the man who strikes fear into the hearts of many, known as the “Heartless Devil.” A ruthless and dominating force, Shlok is the opposite of everything Ibadat had ever dreamed of. Forced into an unwanted bond with him, Ibadat is torn between her lingering love for Saaransh and the intoxicating, dark pull of Shlok's presence. Why did Saaransh leave her? Who is the woman that Shlok once loved? As Ibadat navigates this storm of emotions, she can’t ignore the forbidden attraction simmering between her and Shlok. In this dangerous dance of passion, power, and heartbreak, will Ibadat and Shlok ever find solace in each other? Dive into "Devil's Unwanted Bride"—a tale of love, betrayal, and unexpected desires, where hearts clash, emotions burn, and boundaries blur in ways you’ll never forget.

The biggest mistake of Alicia's life, was trying to commit suicide. She found herself in the body of a 19 years old princess in exile, in the middle ages. What's more? She was forced to marry Prince Harold; the infamous white-haired hot tempered Prince who wouldn't mind killing someone for the most irrelevant reason. Now, her wedding is only a few hours from now and the 'princess', which happens to be Alicia, is supposed to display some 'princessly' skills to the guest. Quick question: Is twerking allowed in the middle ages? She knew one thing for sure, the wedding was going to be a disaster and the hot tempered prince was going to kill her before she found her way back home. God Help Her! ThatAmazingGirl in collaboration with Miss_Behaviour (The writers of In Love With A Klepto) is bringing you another book. "THE CURSED PRINCE'S STRANGE BRIDE" What would you do if you suddenly found yourself in the body of a princess in the ancient time? What's more, he isn't only a werewolf, he is also cursed by the moon goddess. EXCERPT: What should she do? She was confused and had no idea what was going on. Weddings in the middle ages was weird! What the hell is 'Virtues recitation'? Should she pretend to faint? That was the only thought that made sense. So that was what she did. She slowly collapsed on the ground and heard how everyone began to gasp and exclaim.  Alicia wanted them to take her out of there and then she would find a way to escape. But maybe she was unlucky after all, because when she peeped under her lashes, wondering why no one was coming to carry her out, she saw a golden robe, before the person crouched down in front of her. She shut her eyes tightly and stilled her breath. She was an actress, after all. She could pull this off flawlessly.  "That was a bad act, my lady." The deep voice spoke, causing goosebumps to rise on her skin. Scary. "I will only give you three seconds to get up."  His voice wasn't really threatening, but somehow he commanded fear, especially with the slow and careful way he spoke. She had heard he was bad-tempered. What would he do after the three seconds passed? Would he kill her? Then would she die here? How did he even know she was pretending? Were people in the middle ages usually smart? She opened one eye to peek at him and saw him staring right at her with a smirk.  THERE WAS NO WAY THE WEDDING WASN'T HAPPENING. SHE WAS SO DEAD! ******* Werewolf (Check) Cursed prince (Check) Transmigration (Check) Comedy (Check) Romance (Double Check) ADD TO YOUR LIBRARY!

In order to avoid being married off as a means to repay his father’s debts, Alexander Daggry must embark on a dangerous journey to a castle of bygone days almost completely lost to history. Where he will find ancient treasures, lost magic, and a forgotten entity that he will be forced to confront. A deal shall be made that seals his fate. Granting him great power and knowledge, but at a hefty price. Will Alexander be able to navigate the new world thrust upon him, or end up corrupted by the blood now coursing through his veins.

A boy with unknown origins appears in a cave, completely abandoned. And whether it be from fortunate or unfortunate circumstances, he comes across Krieus; the dark dragon. Who is currently on the run from the dragon empire. He decides to take Areon under his wing even though it’s ridiculously risky. Since dragons are unanimously hated world-wide. There is basically no where he can take this child without them being hated together. But at least they have each other, right? And the big strong dragon can protect the little munchkin… That’s only the case most of the time. Because where Krieus just wants to live a quiet life, Areon is always answering the call of life-threatening adventure.

A story that I’m making on my free time. This is my first time writing a story so please expect boring stuff and cringe stuff but if you do like it please share with friends I really wanna enjoy making work people enjoy make sure to criticize and tell me where to work on :)

"An eye for an eye," I told myself every night as I dreamed of his death. He was the monster who had ruined my life, the devil in every nightmare. But now, he stands before me, alive, no longer cursed, and all I can feel is the heat of his gaze, stripping me bare. I wanted to end him... but now, it feels like he's already ended me.” In the Kingdom of Rivera, Kaden, the ruthless crowned alpha Prince, lay cursed in eternal slumber. Lily, a servant girl with a hidden past, arrived on a mission of vengeance, seeking to kill the monster who slaughtered her family and destroyed her colony. But when she touched him, the curse was broken. Instead of death, Kaden offered her a shocking proposal: become his mate and bear his heirs. Now, Lily is bound to her enemy, torn between the desire that burns within her and the revenge that fuels her soul. Will she succumb to the darkness that haunts them both, or will her thirst for vengeance consume him... and herself?

Detective Jane Michaels arrives in Ridgeview to start fresh after a catastrophic case nearly ended her career. On her first day, she’s assigned a gruesome case involving a serial killer who dresses his victims as brides and leaves a single rose. As Jane dives deeper, she uncovers unsettling details about the victims and their lives. Amidst the investigation, she crosses paths with Nathaniel Carter, a kind and mysterious local writer who slowly chips away at her walls. But Ridgeview is a town of secrets, and the truth is never as it seems. When a victim escapes the killer’s clutches and gives a description, the case takes an unexpected turn. The town is rocked as the killer is unmasked—someone who was hiding in plain sight. In the final confrontation, Jane must use her wit and emotional resilience to bring the killer to justice. But even as the case is solved, a sinister shadow lingers, and Jane faces her own demons, left with an unsettling gift that raises more questions than answers.

When Isabella De Luca agreed to marry Dante Marino, the infamous leader of the Marino crime syndicate, it wasn’t for love—it was for survival. Born into a rival mafia family on the brink of collapse, Isabella’s father struck a desperate deal: her hand in marriage in exchange for protection. Forced into a gilded cage, Isabella vows to hate the man who has taken her freedom. But Dante is not the cold-hearted monster she expected. Beneath his ruthless exterior lies a man burdened by his dark past and his struggle to balance power with honor. The closer Isabella gets to unraveling the truth about him, the harder it becomes to keep her heart guarded. When a shadowy betrayal within the Marino ranks threatens to destroy everything, Isabella finds herself entangled in a web of lies, danger, and passion. As her icy walls crumble, Dante’s enemies seize their opportunity, forcing the couple to confront not only their feelings but the ruthless world they inhabit. In a fight for survival, redemption, and love, Isabella and Dante must decide: are they willing to sacrifice everything, including each other, to escape their blood-soaked legacy? Or will they embrace the chaos, becoming more than just a marriage of convenience—becoming a force no enemy could ever destroy?

*Author's other work (She belongs to the Demon King)* *** They say opposite attracts, that's a lie. Opposites kill each other! When a hot blood meets another hot blood, things are bound to get burnt. That is exactly what happens when the pompous and prideful elven princess, Neriah of the Avelah Kingdom is forced to marry the brash dragon Prince, Barak of the Trago Kingdom. Neriah's goal is to someday break away from her marriage and run away with the love of her life, Lyle of the Niles. While Barak will do everything to keep her as a wife. Neriah is certain she's in love with another, but she's also certain that no one can ignite the kind of passion her husband brings. Her husband who she hates more than anything. Can the flames of passion be drawn from hate? Can that same passion burn down the walls of lies, betrayal, and hurt? Can its ashes transcend into love? Excerpt "I am a rose, a beautiful flower, delicate and precious! But you my dear sir are nothing but the thorny stem! Prickly, dangerous and very harmful!" ranted Neriah while poking his chest with her index finger. "Well you seem to forget one important detail, my love." He calmly grabbed her poking hand. "And what would that be, my fine sir?" "That the thorny stem and the rose grow together. The delicate rose and the prickly thorn, they belong together my dear." "You—" "And no amount of ranting and raging will change that. You think I want to keep a witch like you? You are a pain in the neck. If I am a thorn then you are a piece of fish bone stuck inside my neck. I cannot swallow and I can not spit it out! I just have to bear it!" "You insolent bastard! Do you mean to say I am a burden!" "Well you are no precious prize, are you?" And that was it, she threw herself at him with her claws ready to mar his face, but he was quicker and he caught both her hands with one of his own and pressed her heaving chest upon his. Golden eyes stared deep into hers. They were as green as the fresh leaves on an orange tree. His fingers caressed her face, “You might not be a precious prize, but by the heavens, you are mine.” And his lips fell on hers, and once again, another argument was drowned.

Cassandra Hayes was shattered in high school when a wicked prank pulled by the arrogant billionaire, Nicholas West, ruined her reputation and made her known as "Fatty Cass the Slut". Years later, sexier, smarter, and determined to get even, Cassandra crosses paths with Nicholas once again. But things go wrong when she accidentally crashes her car into his. Since she's unable to pay for the damages, Nicholas blackmails Cassie into helping him maintain his position in his father’s Company. She's reluctant at first but sees it as an opportunity to ruin him so she agrees. Unknowingly to them, Thomas West knows all about their fake engagement and decides to have fun teasing and pressuring them to make things real. Who will win in this game of lies and secrets? And will Cassie forgive Nicholas and listen to her heart?

In a world where magic and mortal realms intertwine, Alara, a talented but reclusive young witch, finds herself trapped in a dangerous bargain. To prevent a war between her people (Humans) and the powerful Fae kingdom of the Night Court, she is promised as a bride to Lord Kael, the enigmatic and feared ruler of the court. But the almighty king has a curse, whoever he touches will succumb to death. Will Alara be able to break the curse with her enchanted magic and survive a death sentence?

The reason I am looking at death with my eyes... I want to escape a meaningless life, certainly a fake one. Also, what good is it to be born cursed if you can't pursue your curses fully?

Meeting him was all it took to shatter all that she believed. One fateful night was all that was required to have her questioning her existence and the world around her. Up until the moment she crossed paths with Helios Sloan, Eliana led an ordinary, mundane life. Helios, a man renowned by many but encountered by only a few, had a reputation that preceded him with unfavorable tales. However, Eliana held a contrasting perspective. Despite the stark contrasts between them, Eliana perceived a similarity. Helios, also known as The Demon, was more than just a nickname. Eliana found herself inexplicably drawn to his darkness, challenging her previous perceptions. She came to the realization that she shared more in common with him than she had initially thought. Born to a bloodline beyond the natural yet unknown to her, Eliana possesses abilities that are beyond her comprehension. To uncover the hidden truth, she must venture with him into an unknown world where their trust in each other was tested as secrets were revealed to them.

The moonlight spilled through the canopy of the dark forest, casting an eerie glow on the man lounging against an ancient tree. Morris was impossibly handsome—too handsome to be real. His sharp jawline, framed by tousled black hair, was shadowed by the flicker of firelight in his golden eyes. He swirled a goblet of wine lazily in his hand, his lips curved into a devilish smirk. Elowen froze, captivated. He looked like a prince from a forbidden story, but something in the air warned her he was no mortal. “Lost, little lamb?” His voice was velvet, dark and smooth, wrapping around her like a spell. “I was...just—” she stammered, but he stood in one fluid motion, closing the distance between them. “Just wandering into my domain,” he interrupted, his tone teasing yet dangerous. “How bold of you.” His gaze raked over her, and her heart pounded under the weight of his attention. “You shouldn’t be here,” he murmured, stepping closer until she could feel the heat radiating from him. “Do you know who I am?” She shook her head, her throat dry. “I am Morris,” he said, his voice dropping to a low, seductive growl. “The devil. The one your kingdom fears, the one your priests curse. And now,” he leaned in, his golden eyes glowing like embers, “you’ve wandered straight into my hands.” The shadows around him seemed to ripple with his amusement as a smirk played on his lips. He extended a hand, his voice both a command and an invitation. “Come closer, Elowen. Let me show you what happens when innocence meets the devil.”