"I don't want your crown," he murmured, "just the parts of you you've never given away." He kissed her like he meant it. Lied to her like he didn't. ⚔︎⚔︎⚔︎ Once upon a time, in the mist-laced hills of the Gilded Kingdom, a princess was born - not merely to rule, but to become the greatest queen Aurelia had ever known. Raised behind the palace walls she was taught to walk with grace, speak with poise, and bury herself in the ancient tomes of the Great Library. But what becomes of a princess who dreams not of silk gowns, but steel blades? Who craves not a throne beside a king, but the freedom to forge her own fate? When the time comes to select her consort through the age-old contest, Lydia finds herself suffocating in a world of masks and manners. Among the peacocks of polished nobility that now swarm her home, she must navigate deception, ambition, and perhaps, the stirrings of something far more dangerous than politics. As snow falls red upon the palace grounds, whispers stir from the far reaches of the world. The Nine Kingdoms are rising. And destiny - long buried in blood and prophecy - begins to awaken. Lydia's path will lead her to a choice that could shatter her crown, her heart, and the very foundations of her realm. Her hand is at stake. The prize is her kingdom. Because when fairytales end... only steel remains. #1 of The Gilded Kingdom series

BWWM** Seventeen year old aaliyah brown has the hands of an angel and has been gifted with a god given talent for bringing anything to life on a blank canvas.With her raw talent and love for art,she's desperate to get into a good school and make this her long term career.But with her family just barely making the average household salary,her chances of getting into a good school without a scholarship are slim to none.After her suffering from pain,grief,hate and so much more throughout her whole life,when she's forced to move from Georgia to Florida,she jumps at the opportunity to start a new chapter. In another world,Seventeen year old Aaron Williams has everything any high schooler in America could ever want-the hot girlfriend,the popularity,the sheer talent in basketball,the friends and the whole town on his side.And he's got the publicity as the richest family in town to back it up.With him living his whole life lavishly,the cars,the houses-everybody thinks he's got everything he could ever want. Desperate for somebody to understand him and silently begging for his parents attention,Aaron meets Aaliyah-who although is the complete opposite of who he is,is willing to sacrifice her future for his. started: 10/30/20 finished: 7/29/21