Deborah's wounded heart was an untended fortress, but Jonah was willing to endure any siege to breach it. From the shadows, however, Duke Markus watched their growing connection with a creeping, obsessive madness. He would stop at nothing to shatter their bond and claim her for himself. And he will cross any line to make it happen. - A ten year old violin prodigy was trapped inside of a popular brothel named The Flower's Garden. With a burst of courage, she and two other girls planned their escape. Yet, their defiance was met with death and blood. But Daniel Wellinger, a respected apothecary, found one of the girls alive and took her home. He nursed her back to health and gave her a new life, a new name - Deborah. Despite the racial prejudices in the country of Briersberg, Deborah grew like a flower under Daniel's protective care. Her new goal is to be a professional musician, but she must fight to achieve this in a world that is set against her. During an outing, Deborah captures the attention of Jonah Watson, the spirited son of the duke's personal physician. He shows her a tender love of which she had never experienced. But would she accept this affection or would the abuse she suffered make her push him away? Her music also tickled the ears of Duke Markus Beaufort, a sickly noble haunted by inner demons. Her songs soothed his mind and brought color to his otherwise dull existence. Yet, what began as fascination soon morphed into a dark obsession. Deborah sought freedom through music; he sought to possess her because of it. Markus watches the pair with cold eyes, unwilling to let her go. Deborah was a valuable light he desired to consume. He has one goal: "I must destroy her if I'm to have her." Torn between a man who'd do anything for her and a man who'd do anything to get her, Deborah must fight for the career, freedom, and love she truly deserves. #3 in Black Woman 8/9/26 #3 in Safe Love 8/9/26

In her past life, she was an asset, a professional murder scene cleaner (or even the murderer if paid well) for underground syndicates. Blood didn't scare her, but a normal life? That was a luxury she never had time for. Then she died and reincarnated inside a peaceful Boys' Love novel she once binge-read while in hiding. As a quiet florist named Ruri in a background town, she enjoyed her boring new life. No gunshots, no messy cleanups, just tea, flowers, and watching the beautiful main bottom Elis seduce his harem of top-tier tops. All was well... Until the genre shifted. One sudden apocalyptic event later, the world was in chaos. People awakened strange abilities, beasts roamed the cities, and humanity was divided into powerful Sentinels and normal people. And Ruri? She turned out to be the first existing Guide, able to soothe, power-up or control, any Sentinel through her touch. Now every Sentinels wants her. And strangely... the BL bottom and his dreamy harem? They're looking at her now.

"Someone I loved once gave me a box full of darkness. It took me years to understand that this too, was a gift." ― Mary Oliver. - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - Pardon the mess, I'm editing and switching certain chapters up right now. - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - Blake is normal. There's nothing wrong with him. The only thing is...he refuses to accept that it's past tense. Blake was normal. There's something wrong with him. Edward knows. He and his squad know, and they'll kill him. Blake will die to his curse, or by their hands. Either way is fine. In the world of the infected, if Blake were to accept it, he wouldn't survive. So, he chooses to risk it all, relying on the words of a witch, and leaves city limits in search of a cure. Monsters lurk, fires burn, and Edward will catch him in the end. Right? - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - This is mostly low fantasy; not romance. If you are reading for the romance, I suggest that you do not read this story. This is slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers. There is no smut. There may be other types of romance, but not for at least 25 chapters. There is a lot of violence. It is not the most graphic at times, but there is quite a bit of bloodshed. Sensitive content: One character is addicted to drugs. They are a side character, but they stick around for a few chapters. There are also minor mentions of drunk people and alcohol. This story is slowly developing elements of horror as I write it, so here's the one and only warning. There is no swearing. The Romance: ♥ This is LGBTQ+. The main romance is boy/boy. If you are not into it, then you do not have to read. Both are of age; Edward is 19, Blake is 18. They are adults and can make their own decisions. - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - + - If you are reading this anywhere other than Royal Road, or Wattpad, then you are reading stolen work. Please go here if you are reading anywhere else (Novels 2, Audio-book-ai.com, etc). That is not me. To Outrun the Darkness | Royal Road