Kate_Taylor_7473

When Ivy Wren inherits Thornhaven Manor, a crumbling estate shrouded in legend and mystery, she sees it as a chance to escape her empty life and start anew. But the manor is more than just a hauntingly beautiful relic of the past—it’s a place where shadows move of their own accord, secrets are buried in its walls, and an ancient power stirs beneath its foundations.

At the heart of the mystery is Gabriel Thornhaven, the brooding and enigmatic guardian of the estate. Gabriel is as much a prisoner of the manor as its protector, bound by a curse tied to a powerful relic known as the Veilglass. Drawn together by forces neither of them can explain, Ivy and Gabriel share an undeniable connection that defies reason, a connection that deepens even as Gabriel tries to push her away.

As Ivy uncovers the truth about the Veilglass and its ties to a dark, malevolent force, she finds herself at the center of a centuries-old battle between light and shadow. The relic whispers to her, calling her with promises of power and answers, even as it threatens to consume her.

Gabriel, haunted by his past and his growing feelings for Ivy, is determined to protect her at all costs—even if it means risking his own humanity. But as the tension between them ignites into passion, Ivy and Gabriel must confront not only the curse that binds them but also the shadows that lurk within themselves.

With time running out and the Veilglass’s power growing, Ivy and Gabriel must decide: will they succumb to the darkness, or will their bond be the key to breaking the curse and saving them both?

Thornhaven’s Curse is a steamy, atmospheric romance filled with forbidden desires, tantalizing mysteries, and a love that could either shatter the darkness—or be consumed by it.

The Curse of Thornhaven manor

The rain hammered against the tall windows of the manor, the sound filling the silence between Ivy and Gabriel as they sat by the crackling fire in the study. It had been a week since she'd discovered the Veilglass, and though Gabriel had been more watchful, he hadn't spoken much since their encounter in the chamber. But tonight, something was different. His posture was less guarded, his gaze softer as he stared into the flames, lost in thought.

Ivy sat across from him, nursing a glass of wine Gabriel had offered—a rare gesture from the man who usually seemed determined to keep her at arm's length. She twirled the stem of the glass in her fingers, studying him. His profile was sharp, his golden eyes shadowed by something she couldn't name.

"You're quieter than usual tonight," she said, breaking the silence.

Gabriel's lips twitched, though it wasn't quite a smile. "I suppose the storm suits reflection."

"Reflection or avoidance?" Ivy pressed gently, her voice laced with curiosity.

He glanced at her, his gaze lingering. "You're persistent," he said, a note of begrudging admiration in his tone.

She shrugged. "I have to be. You're not exactly an open book."

Gabriel exhaled, his expression softening. He leaned back in his chair, the firelight casting shadows across his face. "What do you want to know, Ivy?"

She hesitated, caught off guard by his willingness to answer. "Everything," she said finally. "But maybe start with why you're so determined to keep me at a distance."

He was silent for a long moment, his jaw tightening. Then, as if deciding something, he leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "Because I've lost too much," he said quietly. "Everyone I've cared about, everyone I've tried to protect—they've all been taken from me. And I won't let that happen to you."

Her heart clenched at the raw emotion in his voice. "What happened to them?"

Gabriel's gaze dropped to the flames, his fingers tightening around the glass in his hand. "The curse," he said simply. "It doesn't just bind me to this place—it takes. It feeds on pain, on loss. The Veilglass… it's alive in its own way, and it craves destruction."

Ivy swallowed hard, her mind reeling. "And your family?"

"They're gone," he said, his voice flat. "My parents, my sister… they all tried to resist it. They thought they could defeat it. But the Veilglass is relentless. It doesn't stop until it gets what it wants."

Her chest ached at the weight of his words. She set her glass down and moved to sit on the ottoman in front of him, placing herself in his line of sight. "Gabriel, you don't have to carry this alone."

His eyes met hers, and for a moment, she thought he might push her away again. But instead, he reached out, his hand brushing against hers. His touch was warm, grounding, and the tension between them hummed in the air.

"I've carried it for so long, I don't know how to let anyone else in," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Maybe you don't have to know how," Ivy said softly. "Maybe you just… let it happen."

Gabriel's fingers tightened around hers, and for a fleeting moment, the weight of his walls seemed to ease.

Shared Scars