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

Aricia knew too well that if she had water in her mouth, she would have spat it in his face. The absurdity of it all hit her like a storm, and before she knew it, laughter bubbled out uncontrollably. It wasn’t a gentle chuckle; it was the kind of laughter that stole her breath and left her clutching her stomach. 


Her scarlet hair tumbled over her shoulders as she doubled over, shaking with amusement. Tears pricked at the corners of her eyes, and her face turned as red as her hair. She tried to steady herself, one hand on her knees and the other on the wall for support. 


"Are… you joking this moment?" she managed between gasps, though she didn’t need a reply. 


Not in all the five kingdoms was he serious! The thought spun in her head, almost sending her into another fit of laughter. 


Vincent stood before her, as unmoving as a statue. His silver hair shimmered faintly in the dim candlelight, his expression as calm and unreadable as ever. 


Chapter 38| Mating