A story about a place that neither exists in maps or history books, this place was called Athame.

•••

"The root of every fear is the unknown, yet how can one fear what they cannot grasp? Tch... how misleading." His voice, deep and rough, sent an involuntary shiver through her as he closed the distance between them with deliberate steps, his presence suffocating in its intensity.

With a slow, predatory grace, his fingers brushed along her jaw, settling on a strand of her scarlet hair, his touch deceptively tender. "Knowing me will matter little," he whispered darkly, his breath warm against her skin. "For even in the shadows of uncertainty, you will come to fear... and desire me all the same."

•••

Aricia, born with extraordinary abilities in a world that fears anything out of the ordinary, was destined for a marriage alliance to secure peace between kingdoms. 

But on the day of her engagement, her entire family is slaughtered—by the very family she was meant to marry into. 

Grief-stricken and consumed by vengeance, Aricia swore to destroy those who betrayed her. She would wield the very power they had feared against them, seeking justice with no mercy. After years on the run, she found shelter within an elemental clan, hiding her abilities and keeping to the shadows.

But her carefully constructed peace shattered in a single moment. A burning touch, a chance encounter with his haunting gray eyes—an unknown force within her stirred, threatening to unravel her carefully guarded secrets and the fragile balance of magic, madness, and vengeance she had built....

Vengeance Through Passion

Vincent sighed, his patience fraying as he looked down the hall, but then he glanced back at the stairs where Martha stood, watching him with that ever-perceptive look of hers. 


“She was wandering about the woods like a lost sparrow. Then I found her and brought her back, and what?” His gaze flickering in frustration. “I’m crucified.” 


Martha crossed her arms, a pointed expression settling over her face. Her gaze held no sympathy, only skepticism. “I’ll have you know, Vincent, that Aricia is a knight in training. Emphasis on the K word. Unless she’s under some peculiar enchantment, I’m quite sure she can take care of herself.” 


“That…” Vincent hesitated, the irritation melting into something more unreadable, “might not be exactly the case. But whatever you want to think, I don’t care if you believe me or not.” He turned and casually strolled up the stairs, his footfalls echoing in the dim hallway, as Martha’s suspicious gaze followed him. 


Chapter 31| Suicide Mission