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

"It is finally time,” Aricia declared, her voice steady despite the turmoil beneath her surface. 


Vincent stood by the stream that wound its way through Zephyriion like an unbroken thread of silver. He bent slightly, picking up a smooth stone before tossing it effortlessly into the rippling water. The splash broke the serene silence of the evening, drawing Aricia's eyes to his form. 


"Time for what?" he asked, his tone laden with curiosity, though his gaze remained fixed on the stream. 


Aricia tightened her grip on the wooden stick in her hand, the traditional Xylaris attire clinging to her as the soft breeze teased at her scarlet hair. Her stance exuded purpose, even as a faint smirk tugged at her lips. 


"To take this to the next level," she replied, her tone brooking no argument. 


Vincent turned, his silver brows raised ever so slightly in amusement. "Take. What." 


Chapter 56| So. Many. Mysteries