Sweet Mask

In Ogun's Kingdom, gods once walked among mortals, their presence leaving echoes of power, mystery, and ambition. Now, only the masked bearers of divine blessings bridge the gap between humans and the forgotten pantheon. Thorne Ironhold, a blind boy born into the prestigious Ironhold fief, stands at a precipice. Blessed by an unknown god during the sacred mask rite, he is labeled a "Stray"—an outcast marked by powers beyond mortal comprehension. Yet beneath the shadows of his failure lies an unimaginable secret: Thorne's mask holds the power to defy the natural order. As Thorne ventures from his father's forge to the treacherous Garden of the Gods and the rigorous academy, he seeks not only to carve his own path but to uncover the truth behind his destiny. Every battle tests his limits, every limit surpassed brings him closer to the power once lost to men—and closer to the chaos lurking within. In a world where dances summon divine might and masks conceal more than they reveal, Thorne's journey becomes a quest to challenge the gods themselves. But as he walks the path they once tread, he must ask: Will he rise among the embers of forgotten legends, or be consumed by them?

Cassandra dia paling suka mengusik boss dia, Dato' Hardy Lee. Ada sahajalah plan dia nak mengusik mood bossnya itu. tak bergaduh dengan Amirah, memang tak sah! Dah diberi amaran, tetap dibuatnya lagi sehingga Dato' Hardy Lee pun dah muak dengan perangai pekerjanya yang satu ni. Tak tahulah nak buat apa dengan budak Cassandra tu. kalau dipecat, sayang pulak! Alahai! Pening! Cassandra ni nakal tahap dewa tau, lepas kena marah. dia usik lagi Dato'muda tu. sabar jelah Dato' Hardy Lee.

“Happy Christmas Eve!” chuckled the old man as he strapped a watch around Misha’s wrist. “Have a nice trip.” The next morning, the 25-year-old Misha woke up with a pounding headache, sore muscles, and strong nausea. In short, the perfect hangover. But when he saw his reflection in the mirror, he soon realized that the pain wasn’t caused by the terrifying amount of alcohol he had drunk the previous day. His body had shrunk. A lot. He didn’t have the time to think too much about it since his mother suddenly erupted in his room - the next day, his sister did the same thing. Mother and sister who had died a long time ago. The old man wasn't crazy. As he had predicted, Misha did travel back in time, just before losing his loved ones. And so, Misha had now one mission: changing the dreadful fate of his mother and sister and sending away his sister’s boyfriend by all means. They had to break up! Like it or not, that man will bring disaster to the family sooner or later. This time, Misha wouldn't fall for that warm smile and those gentle eyes as he knew they were hiding a cold, insensitive personality. However, things weren’t as simple as he thought, and perhaps the sister’s boyfriend was not the enemy. Perhaps, since the beginning, he had everything wrong and knew nothing of his sister. ________________ *The BL will mostly show up in the second and third volumes. It is a very slow romance, so don't expect the protagonist to fall in love quickly. In the first volume, he has too much on his mind to care about love and such. *There will be contents for 18+ in the second and/or third volume. I will put a warning at the beginning of every NSFW chapter. P@treon: https://www.patreon.com/rsvaesen?fan_landing=true

Sam, an ordinary high-school student, had her life turned upside down when a run-in with masked psychopaths plunged his existence into a nightmarish ordeal of violence and terror.

What would you do if the person you raised, turned against you? For that person, you sacrificed your childhood but in the end, they still turned against you. It all began like a dream, a sweet dream to say, then a crack happened but she mended it, then another appeared and she mended it again until it finally broke down. Ely kept the lesson taught by life in the deepest part of her heart. She ran away because she was trying to escape from the truth but she met it again and this time, she lost her innocence, she lost the last bit of humanity she had and she lost the color of her soul and eventually, she submitted herself to the devil who used her gleefully. Silveria, a young King felt his ambitions came first before anything else. He once told a girl, that if he wanted something, he got it and it didn't matter how he got it. He was nicknamed the devil. The devil met this girl who lost the color of her soul and fed on her indifference but soon, he began to thirst for more. Is the devil going to pull her into hell with him or will both find salvation? PS:the cover is not mine so I can take it down if the owner comes by.

In a world torn apart by war and political intrigue, Arteja is no ordinary warrior. Trained since childhood to protect the royal families of Argadan, she is a master of the spear and a wielder of deadly thunder magic. Her unwavering loyalty and unmatched skill have earned her a reputation as one of the most formidable protectors in the empire. But Arteja's world is thrust into chaos when an alliance of human kingdoms launches a brutal siege on Argadan’s borders. As the enemy’s numbers swell and their tactics grow more ruthless, Arteja finds herself at the center of a conflict that threatens not only her kingdom but her very existence. Facing impossible odds, Arteja must confront not only her enemies but also the cracks in her loyalty and the truths she has avoided. With her lightning-charged spear in hand, she dives headfirst into battle, her every move reshaping the tide of war. Will Arteja’s strength and unyielding resolve be enough to turn the tide, or will the storm she summons consume everything she fights to protect? Filled with electrifying battles, deep character development, and a gripping tale of sacrifice and survival, "Arteja: The Thunder’s Protector" is a high-stakes fantasy adventure that will leave you breathless or bored. :/

For the sake of his family, Richard married a woman he had never met before. However, his newly wed wife was not only hideous but also viscous, which he only discovered on his wedding day. He thought he would be disgusted by her, but unexpectedly could not help but be attracted to this mysterious woman. What made Richard scratch his head even more, was that her face under the mask seems to be hiding some secret.

Caspian inched closer until his lips were mere inches away from Davina's, reeling her in to close the nonexistent gap between their mouths. "Have you ever been kissed, Dimitri?" He asked. Before Davina could lose control after Caspian's cold lips lightly grazed hers, she pushed him away and hurriedly stood up. "My Lord, this is highly unethical!" Her real voice nearly slipped out amid the chaos. "What's unethical about this?" Caspian's face lifted to form an innocent yet devilish smile, he seemed to be enjoying the reaction he got out of her. Flustered, Davina turned her back to him and took deep breaths before speaking more composedly. "We are both men and it wasn't ethical of you to try and... kiss me." The last bit came out as a whisper blown away by the wind. Caspian's chuckle echoed through the woods as he stood up from the bench and faced Davina with a smug look on his face. "Tell me, Dimitri, was I really trying to kiss a man just now?" "W-what do you mean?" Davina stumbled backward as she stared at Caspian in shock and disbelief, unsure of what to do to save herself from that situation. "Let me rephrase my question." Caspian delicately grazed Davina's cheeks with the back of his hand. "Are you really a man?" ***** With a bounty on her head and the need for a place to stay, Davina snuck into the castle of Lendorr, posing as a man in the royal army. Luckily for her, she was able to get away with her ruse easily that is, until she met the mysterious Lord Caspian. She is tasked with being one of his guards all while trying to avoid getting caught by the man who made it his life's mission to ruin her plan. Through a twisted game of deceit, Davina is forced to make a grave choice between Love and the REAL reason why she snuck into the castle.

When divine blood flows through your veins, monsters hunts you down until you’re dead. That’s the harsh reality each demigod has to live everyday. Marina is one of them and, because of this, she had to leave her home when she was still a child. Now she has grown up and lives in the Lilies Park, a place in the Otherworld where she meets Shirei, a mysterious demigod who has no memory. Shirei will have to deal with his hidden past to understand why the gods seem to treat him like an enemy, but Marina fears that the journey will only lead to his death. Thus begins the last act of the plan of the forgotten goddess: the queen of masks. I will be posting this story on RoyalRoad.com

In the quiet darkness of the city, where shadows stretch long and secrets linger, a charming and meticulous man prowls unnoticed. By day, he’s an unassuming professional, navigating the corridors of power with ease, his impeccable manners and handsome face concealing the predator lurking beneath. By night, he dons his most dangerous mask—a façade of warmth and intrigue that draws unsuspecting victims into his carefully woven web. Obsessed with uncovering the truths hidden in human minds, he views each person as a puzzle, their fears, desires, and vulnerabilities as treasures to exploit. But when he encounters a woman who seems perfect for his next plan, his tightly controlled world begins to fray. As his games grow darker and more daring, the question looms: will he remain the master of his deadly art, or will the mask finally crack, exposing the monster within? "The Masked" is a chilling psychological thriller that delves into the twisted mind of a man who thrives in the shadows, a story of manipulation, obsession, and the masks we all wear.

A quiet, unnoticed student hides a shocking secret: a double life as an online sensation. When a school project forces them to team up with the school’s most popular classmate, an accidental discovery threatens to expose everything. What starts as a tense revelation soon uncovers hidden truths neither expected, leaving both questioning who they really are—and who they can trust.

Buckle up, as you walk into the depths of the Mafia World. This is not like any other Miafia stories, but something different as in... a different kind of mafia (; Eirene's life changed drastically the moment she got kidnapped by the mafia boss. Will she accept it and live her life as it is now? Will she fight? And revenge? But how? Question after question. All the shall be answered as you read more and more into the story. What would you do if you have to choose one between a hot mafia boy and an intimidating mafia girl? Get ready to go on a roller coaster of emotions as you unfold the story of Eirene.

The prince of Maldonia, Prince Artemis of House Arteides, the bear killer, the slayer of the elves is crowned King when his father Luca King Arteides dies. Aurora is a seer and a powerful witch who has yet to aknowledge her powers, only Artemis knows of it. Lucian Mithandir is in exile recruiting an army to fight Prince Castellan of house Taelin for the throne of Prophis. Artemis wants no parts of this war, but he is very aware whoever wins the war will later turn to Maldonia. Artemis has no clue that a bigger war is coming which will set out kingdoms on fire, Aurora has seen it in her dreams and it's for the Sweet Waters Throne in Maldonia. The end is uncertain but the ways are clearer, who will sit on the throne after the war to end all wars. The Bastard who's been denied his true claim to the Sweet Waters throne with the mighties fleet in the world and King Artemis of Maldonia who has Aurora and dragons breathing fire. ~ Excerpt Scene ~ "Are you ready? A dragon is not a horse my love" Aurora expressed her concerns. "The dragons are ready to be claimed, Your Grace. I think it’s the perfect time for Artodo to take the skies and be claimed. He and the King have great relationship. He just needs to understand the words that’s all. "Torgo explained while looking at both Aurora and Artemis. "I understand the words." Said Artemis. "Incendio for fire and Valar for him to fly. I know some Low Moor too." It seemed Aurora wasn’t easily convinced, "Knowing the language of our ancestors doesn’t mean you can hang on to the dragon and take to the skies, especially since you are not just practicing. You are taking the dragon to the Mines, in clear daylight." "Exactly, that is the only way we can silence Lord Leoric. I cannot let him take advantage of my sister, I have to try…" Visera interrupted. "He’s ready, I can see it in his eyes." She said with a smirk. Aurora ordered Torgo. "Bring him outside," in Low Moor. Torgo nodded and walked inside the darkened cave with a fire torch. All five dragons were inside the cave perfectly chained. He went after Artodo, the biggest of them all. The black beast, standing at forty feet from head to tail with a wingspan of twenty feet. A terrifying beast to even stare at. Artemis took two deep breaths. "According to my ancestors history, the youngest dragon rider to ever took the skies was ten years old. You’ll be fine." Aurora teased Artemis after she noticed how nervous he was. The dragon keepers placed a saddle on Artodo’s back and two strong handles made of iron and wood for Artemis to hang on to. Then, finally Aurora walked to Artodo — the black beast. She pulled in Artemis and they both touched the dragon’s right eye, soothing him before the take off. "This is your rider now Artodo, you are to obey him from this day forward to the last, as your mother commands." Aurora said this is Low Moor while the dragon hissed slowly. The dragon hissed and Aurora took it a sign that Artodo understood him. She took a step back and let Artemis take over. These two weren’t strangers to one another. Artemis’s touch wasn’t strange to Artodo and he silently lowered his left wingspan for Artemis to climb up. Carefully and slowly, Artemis mounted the black beast. It was no secret that he was scared. When he was on top of the dragon, Artemis smiled looking down and he suddenly exclaimed. "You all look like tiny bees from up here!" Aurora, Visera, Torgo and the dragon keepers laughed. Aurora walked to him and they looked at each other. Their dream finally came true; "Promise me, you’ll come back alive." Said Aurora. "I promise." "And that you will not burn the Mines to the ground. If she disagrees with you, perhaps it’s time to let her go." This was what Artemis truly needed to hear so he may stop his obsession with saving his sister. When he was ready, he shouted to Artodo. "Valar Artodo," and right there the dragon’s feet pounded the ground heavy as it prepared for takeoff.

Dragnelle Étoile is no stranger to secrets. A sharp-witted private investigator with a shadowed past, she navigates life with a limp, a cane adorned with a beast’s head, and a determination as unyielding as the pain in her leg. When Mickaël Rakoto, a man she hasn’t seen in decades, steps back into her life with a desperate plea, she is thrust into a world she thought she’d left behind—a world of wealth, power, and dangerous family secrets. Mickaël’s sister-in-law, Myrha Rakoto, has died under mysterious circumstances while climbing. Officially ruled as an accident, her death doesn’t sit well with Mickaël, who suspects foul play. But in a city where his wife’s powerful family—the Rakoto shipping dynasty—controls everything from the local police to the narrative of Myrha’s death, Mickaël needs someone fearless enough to uncover the truth. Dragnelle takes the case, but each clue she uncovers pulls her deeper into the Rakoto family’s web of lies, privilege, and betrayal. As she pieces together the circumstances of Myrha’s death, Dragnelle must confront ghosts from her own past, including her complicated history with Mickaël. With her sharp mind and sharper tongue, she maneuvers through bribes, betrayals, and old memories, searching for answers no one wants found. Set against the vibrant streets of Antananarivo and the shadowy world of high society, this is a gripping tale of ambition, justice, and the price of uncovering the truth. Secrets, after all, always have a way of coming to light—even when buried at the top of the climb.

In a world where the line between reality and the extraordinary blurs, Kai navigates the aftermath of a traumatic past. A chance encounter with masked individuals wielding supernatural powers thrusts him into a surreal sequence of events. As he witnesses a subway attack and his own house in flames, Kai discovers his uncle's involvement with a clandestine group possessing extraordinary abilities. The unfolding conflicts force Kai to confront a reality beyond his understanding, leading him on a journey of self-discovery and resilience in a world where powers beyond imagination shape his destiny.

˖⁺‧₊˚♡˚₊‧⁺˖ Lily Mei, accustomed to a life of luxury and charm. Spoiled and willful, she often creates chaos around her, oblivious to the impact of her actions. Adrian Blackwood, a young businessman and close friend of Lily's father, has always cared for her. With his strong presence and gentle patience, he finds joy in navigating Lily's unpredictable world. As they spend time together, their friendship deepens through everyday moments-shopping trips, family gatherings, and quiet conversations. Join Lily and Adrian as they discover the warmth of connection and the beauty of love that blossoms in the midst of life's simple pleasures. P.S. This story is a work of fiction and is intended for entertainment purposes only. The characters and events depicted are products of the author's imagination and do not reflect real-life situations or relationships. Please be aware that Lily Mei can be quite infuriating at times-it's part of her charm! If you find her antics frustrating, this story may not be for you.

In her past life,Emma was misled by her best friend and scumbag boyfriend, thinking that her husband who loved her the most was responsible for her misfortunes .She did everything to stay away from him , even abandoning her children . However,she was captured and tortured to death by the scumbag.After being reborn,Emma clung to her husband's thigh, trying to win his favor and vowed to take revenge on those who caused misfortune in her past life.

In this slice of life ahistorical medieval story, there are three main settings and pairs that you will follow. First is a prince and the bard, who live in Northern Wales on the kingdom of Gwynedd. The prince struggles on the case of thinking that he is no one of importance. A shadow of his brother. Someone to pay lip service to. Even his father had not cared for him. The only sense of him giving attention is to give him a warden, a bard who has been in his court for a while. Although friendly, this musician of his was keeping secrets, and as the curious child he was, he wants to unravel them all. On Mainland Europe, we follow a landgrave and a burgrave. Two friends that have been together for a while, yet were on different sides. They may have fought, yet their relationship was not broken by it. Even in such severe tribulations, they still are tied together. However, the people outside of this relationship, will they force them once more? Punish them for God knows what? Perhaps, even, finally separate them from each other? Finally, on the once richest part of Rome, you will see a doux and a kephale. There was immense threat, either from outside or inside their own lands, the blade of their enemies becoming sharper. Diplomacy helps, but it doesn't solve the problem. However, what happens if the imperial ruler dies unexpectedly, when all of this was happening? Can they survive through it? Or will they use this opportunity to take the throne for themselves? Only the hands of fate will tell what will happen through this mess.

A strange coffee date between two strangers and a mutual attraction that will bring out a desire they didn’t anticipate.

I seriously felt like I was about to kick the bucket because of some mysterious sickness. But guess what? I snapped awake to find myself in this weird place, in some dude's body. A man? Seriously? I held my breath, and I felt something weird on my chest. "Huh? Is this... bondage? What the heck?" Then, out of nowhere, a rush of unknown memories flooded my mind. Turns out, I'm a general. Yup, that's right. And get this, I ain't no dude-I'm actually a young, stubborn lady who's playing pretend as her older brother. Crazy stuff, right?

this is a story written out of curiosity, of what will happen if you do a thing, but it leads somthing really tragic and it might also affect the future generations too.

Sitting on the curb, is a young man who has a suit jacket over his head to protect him from the rain. After becoming cold, he decides to go home and buys an umbrella to use instead of his jacket. Whilst leaving the store, a pale, weirdly dressed woman is drinking a unpaid strawberry slushie. (Is a draft, chapters and everything will be changed when I fully release it without any wait times. till then, please encourage me till then, sorry for any hiatus's.)

a regular man living in the darkness of his failure he wanted to be an actor but life is Harsh for him one day his friend (assistant producer) gave him a offer to work as a actor will he accept it? is the path for him will be easy? what people he going to meet? is he can become an actor?

In the world of high society, billionaire Devlin Saint Clair is revered for his wealth, charm, and philanthropy. But beneath the façade, Devlin harbors a dark secret: he's a demon, heir to the throne of the underworld. Bound by his father's expectations, Devlin must navigate the treacherous landscape of demon politics to claim the crown. His ruthless ambition knows no bounds, and he'll stop at nothing to achieve his goal. Detective Mirabella "Bella" Thompson is no stranger to darkness. Haunted by a traumatic past, she's built walls around her heart. Alongside her sisters, she's forged a new life in the police force. But when she stumbles upon Devlin's true nature, her world is turned upside down. As their paths collide, Devlin's determined to keep Bella silenced. But she's not one to back down. As they engage in a cat-and-mouse game, Devlin finds himself torn between his loyalty to his family and his growing obsession with the fearless detective. Bella's secrets are her own, but Devlin's determination to uncover them threatens to destroy everything she's built. Can she resist the billionaire's allure, or will his darkness consume her? As the stakes rise, Devlin must choose between his destiny and his desire. Will he sacrifice his humanity for the crown, or will Bella's love redeem him? **Target Audience:] Adult readers (18+) who enjoy paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and suspenseful stories with complex characters and moral ambiguity.

This is a story comprising of two different stories in honor of Domestic Violence month. The stories are short and concise to draw the reader into the perspective of the character.

Her family took advantage of her, her boyfriend cheated on her and had an affair with her stepsister, and in the end, she was killed by them. But fate took pity on her and gave her a second chance in life, and in this life, she promised to get back everything that was stolen from her by those scums. But who would have thought that in this second life, she would also meet him? She was so spoiled and pampered by him that no one dared to bully her anymore. • • • • English is not my first language, so please expect some grammatical errors in this book. • • • • Cherryiako's other books: » My Little Sweet Wife [Completed] » Second Chance Of Love [Completed]

Having transmigrated into a fantasy world of magic and knights , the son of humble merchant prioritizes safety above all else. Armed with a system and cautiousness that is sometimes unnecessary watch Gray slowly turn him and his organization into shadows. Hidden and only existing in the night." For a shadow can never be truly destroyed and fought aganist."