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 stared at the door through which Gwendolyn had disappeared, her heart heavy and her mind a storm of thoughts. Her family had rushed to Gwen’s side, their concern palpable as they showered her with attention, while Aricia remained behind, watching the flurry of activity, feeling both detached and out of place. It was a familiar feeling—always standing on the edge of things, never truly belonging. And as always, Vincent was conspicuously absent, a void that irritated her more than she cared to admit. 


She sighed deeply, shaking her head to dispel the intrusive thoughts. She could hardly focus, the weight of her surroundings pressing down on her. A voice broke through her haze. 


Chapter 44| A Great Start