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

She would repay Vincent Blackwell twice over for the humiliation he caused her. How, exactly? That wasn’t entirely clear, but Caelric seemed disturbingly eager to help her concoct a scheme. 


Now, with a large pot of carrot soup in her trembling hands, Aricia shuffled toward the Blackwell main hall, her heart pounding as though it would escape her chest. When she reached the doors and peered inside, her eyes widened at the sight before her. 


Every member of the Blackwell household was present—and not just them. Members of Vireth, their allies from the south, were seated at the long dining table as well. The sheer number of highborn gazes made her knees buckle. 


“Ah, I see the special meal for Lord Blackwell has arrived,” Vincent remarked, his voice smooth but cold as he gestured for Aricia to step forward. 


She froze, staring at him as though he had grown two heads. 'Special meal? For Blackwell?' 


Chapter 34| Dinner For Two