🐦⬛New chapters drop on Thursdays and Saturdays at 8PM London Time 🐦⬛ Content Warning (18+): This book contains explicit, graphic sexual content, as well as graphic violence and gore. Intended for readers aged 18 and over. Please read at your own discretion. Rooke has spent years making sure no one can claim her. Not her past, not her name, and certainly not the life she built among the Saltcrows, an infamous mercenary crew of thieves, killers, and ex-pirates who take the kind of jobs no one else is reckless enough to touch. When a contract drags them into the Ascendant's great city, what should have been just another dangerous job quickly turns into something far deadlier. Suddenly, the Saltcrows are running for their lives, hunted across the continent by one of the most feared men in the Ascendant's service. As the chase tightens, secrets begin to surface, loyalties are tested, and Rooke is forced to confront a past she thought she buried long ago. Because in a world where power controls the gates and freedom is bought in blood, survival has always come at a cost. And this time, it might cost everything. © 2026 Maggie Barker. All rights reserved. This story, its characters, worldbuilding, and text are original and protected by copyright. Any theft, plagiarism, reproduction, or redistribution without permission will be documented and pursued to the fullest extent available, including platform reports, takedown actions, and legal proceedings. No permission is granted to scrape, copy, ingest, or use this work (in whole or in part) for machine learning, AI training, text-and-data mining, or dataset creation. Any such use is unauthorised.

"He thought he was the hunter. He didn't know she had nothing left to lose." Trapped within the dark, looming walls of Vaelhorst Palace, Aethelgard is a captive surrounded by enemies. Her survival depends entirely on the mercy of Malakor-a ruthless, hyper-vigilant Dark Lord whose very name strikes terror across the kingdoms. Separated from everything she knows by the treacherous, ink-black waters of The Mourning Tides, escape seems completely impossible. But Malakor underestimates the girl in his shadows. Before sending her to the Dark Lord, the sinister witch known as Pale Marrow ripped away Aethelgard's emotions, leaving her completely hollow. Malakor expects a terrified prisoner, but instead, he faces a mind completely untethered by fear, panic, or mercy. As a dangerous, slow-burn game of wit and proximity unfolds between captive and captor, the lines between hatred and curiosity begin to blur. Aethelgard must use her cold, emotionless clarity to dismantle Malakor's court from the inside-before the magic fades and her feelings come rushing back. A dark fantasy romance filled with royal intrigue, psychological tension, and a toxic power dynamic that will burn down an empire.

In a realm where dragons choose their mates through ritual and instinct, Annabella-a realist from a world of logic-never believed in magic, fate, or monsters. But after falling through a mysterious rift, she awakens in a wild, primal land filled with creatures who aren't quite human... and who seem to think she belongs to them. She's cold. She's starving. And then the gifts begin. Food. Shelter. Fire. And always, that scent-smoky, powerful, and maddeningly alluring. Survival comes first. Or so she tells herself. But with every brush of clawed fingertips and heated glance, the lines between survival and surrender begin to blur. These dragon shifters don't just want her-they've chosen her. And in their world, choice runs both ways. A slow-burn, emotionally rich, polyamorous romance about instincts, intimacy, and the bonds we never see coming.

Lorcan Equinox never expects a human woman to awaken the dark, carnal desire he's suppressed for decades--until she defies the very curse that made him untouchable. Season 1 of Fae's Curse *** Amberly Reed was supposed to die the moment she touched the Fae lord. Now, whisked away to his manor in the Faelands, she struggles to thrive in a world where mortals are unwelcome. Her only power here is her seemingly intoxicating effect on Lorcan, who--as much as he clashes and bickers with her--can't seem to stay away. Even so, any relationship between them is forbidden, and could spell certain death for Amberly if it's discovered. But when she learns that Lorcan's curse is slowly killing him, she must discern what her growing feelings mean, and decide if she's willing to risk everything to save him. *** ❝You didn't see it, but every male in that room was eyeing you up. Every damn one. They wanted a taste of you.❞ His voice is dark with envy. I swallow - hard. ❝I wanted to tear off that damned dress and take you right there, to show every leering bastard❞--he begins to move faster--❝that you aren't theirs to take.❞

Prince Theodred isn't interested in the responsibilities that come with his title. The only thing he is interested in is partying, flirting, and the occasional gossip scandal. After all, if everyone thinks the worst of him, he'll never have to disappoint anyone. King Tristan and Queen Lena have had enough! After a particularly extravagant party, they give him an ultimatum: Resolve the rebellion in Woodport or be cut off financially. They want to change him, but he has no desire to be anything he isn't. Eager to get back to his life of indulgence, he heads north. Theo intends to squash the rebellion through whatever means necessary. Then he meets the rebellion's leader. She's mysterious and beautiful, even if her face is hidden behind an ornate mask. He wants to know who she is, what makes her smile, and why she won't give in to his demands. But perhaps doing things on her terms is the way to get what he wants. Perhaps he might just find that he cares. Perhaps he was wrong, and change is inevitable. Perhaps he might become the prince he's spent his life avoiding. Perhaps, it will all be worth it.

Ancient Blood Series: Book 1 - They were born in the utter blackness of the beginning. Their cries were the harmony in the world's first song. Rich, wild magic soothed them, like the gentle touch of a mother. It was said that their very presence was the beginning of what the world would become. For hundreds of years, the human race has been growing side by side with the Ancient species; dragons, elves, fae, and many more. Rhia Kincaid is a human paramedic with a good heart, a determination to help people, and just wants to get through the day with a smile on her face. Everything she knows begins to change when she meets Nolan Wes, a powerful vampire with several lifetimes full of secrets just trying to get away from the turbulence of politics. Little do either of them know that a war is on the horizon with crosshairs aimed directly at the heart of the known world. - This story has been given a Mature rating for sexual content. If you are reading this story, you are consenting that you are of the age of 17 and up. - 3rd place in Fantasy in the Open Door Awards hosted by Wattpad Star @grendelthegood - "A story that convincingly blends the modern with the ancient, the magical and the mundane, our author smartly weaves together a setting, premise, and characters that engage!" ~ @grendelthegood "In a perfect book I need all the emotions, love, anger, anxiety, sadness, excitement. And you triggered every single emotion perfectly." ~ @Jackie-Blue "This has been the best Wattpad book I have ever read and I am so looking forward to everything that comes next!" ~ @Merl1nMagnuss3n - This book is under heavy edits. This version will remain as is until the second draft is complete. Enjoy! - Aprox. 175,000 words

Sovarielle was born into a legacy of music and magic-one of the legendary sound dragons of Whispervale. But everything changed the day an attack stole her sense of smell, severing her from the bond that connects dragonkind. Exiled by instinct and grieving the loss of her family and horde, she vanished into the human world, learning to navigate life through sound instead of scent. In dragon society, scent is everything. It guides memory, emotion, and-most importantly-connection. It is how dragons recognize their mates. Without it, Sovarielle is considered broken, untethered... alone. Years later, a single misstep leads her back into dragon territory-and into a storm of long-forgotten alliances, mythical creatures, and rising tensions. From sirens guarding sacred seas to secretive centaurs with ancient wisdom, Sovarielle's path is shaped by those who see her not as damaged, but different. And as feelings deepen between her and a dragon who seems to know more than he says, she begins to wonder: If dragons find their mates by scent... will she ever truly know if she's found hers? A map of the country is included in the prologue, showing dragon territories, human cities, and key locations mentioned throughout the story. For readers who enjoy diving deeper, I've also created The Scentmarked Archive, which includes an interactive map and expanded lore exploring ancient dragon territories, mysterious islands, siren legends, shifter homelands, and more. You can find the link to the archive and map in my bio. Thank you so much for choosing to step into this world with me.

Thessaly has spent her life haunted by nightmares of a shadowed male and a beast prowling beneath her skin. But her visions are not the only pieces of herself she cannot trust. Her memories have been stripped from her again and again, her past stolen and her origins buried, until one violent night forces her to unleash the darkness she has spent her life suppressing. Dragged into the hidden world of the fae, a realm divided between the radiant Seelie Court and the shadowed Unseelie, Thessaly learns her nightmares were never only dreams. They were warnings. Invitations. A door opening between her and something ancient enough to recognize the magic waking inside her. Riven, heir to the Seelie Court, is the first to see the woman beneath the prophecy. Ruthless, guarded, and bound by secrets of his own, he should be her enemy. Instead, he becomes the one person capable of anchoring her to the humanity she is terrified to lose. But fate has another claim on her-one that has been waiting in her nightmares. Kael, commander in a rising dark army, does not fear what Thessaly is becoming. He reveres it. As her power grows, the dreams that once haunted her become something far more dangerous: a connection. Where Riven offers control, Kael offers release. Where Riven loves the woman she is fighting to remain, Kael worships the weapon she could become. And to a girl whose life has been stolen, sealed, and buried, being worshipped might feel dangerously like being seen. As war stirs across the realms and forgotten bloodlines begin to wake, Thessaly must uncover the truth of what was taken from her before the darkness beneath her skin convinces her to surrender the last fragile pieces of who she was. Because the prophecy the courts fear may not be warning of a savior at all, but of the hidden heirs whose choices could save the realms-or end them. ~~~~~~ A special thank you to @ToWolfKin for creating the cover. Being edited!

🥇 1st Place - Best Prologue (Whispers Beneath the Ice mini-awards, 2025) 🥇 1st Place - Fantasy (Four-Leaved Clover Awards, 2025) 🥈 2nd Place - Best Writing Style (Enchanted Grave Awards, 2025) ⸻ ✧ ⸻ The sun is gone. Its light is sold. Beneath the earth, humanity survives on Lumen - the bottled radiance of a forgotten age. The ruling elite control it. The Church sanctifies it. The poor die without it. Lucy Farrow was born in the Gloom, where people disappear without explanation and hope is a luxury nobody can afford. When a forbidden power awakens inside her, she becomes the most dangerous secret in Aurelion. The kind people kill for. The kind empires fall for. High above, Prince Cassian Soleyne discovers evidence that could unravel everything his family built. As rebellion spreads through the darkness and ancient enemies stir once more, he finds himself drawn toward the one person he should never trust. A girl who could save their world. Or burn it to the ground. ⸻ ✧ ⸻ She sat at the polished desk in the Lantern Man's office, copying names in glowing ink. "Careful with the curves, bright girl," he said. Lucy straightened her quill. "Yes, sir." He smiled. Not unkind. Just heavy. "You've got a quick hand," he murmured. "That's rare here." She tried not to smile too widely at the praise. "Say, Lucy... how is your mother?" She dipped her quill again. "She's fine, sir." "Is she now?" His cane tapped gently against the floor. Lucy nodded, focused. "Maybe I should visit her," he said. "It's been a while." That made her brighten. "Of course, mister! You're always welcome." The tapping stopped. For a moment, there was only the scratching of her quill. Then the light above her flickered before settling into a slow, steady pulse. The Lantern Man watched it carefully. "Good", he said.

{Completed} Highest Ranking: # 1 in Fantasy (01/28/17) Book. 1 My blood boiled at the thought of one of them in our streets, hidden in plain sight, perhaps even by one of the kids from the orphanages. Would it murder innocent human children? You bet. Would it even think twice about gutting a starving child? Never. What could do this, you're probably asking. But it boils down to one single word. One word that made anger I hadn't known I possessed, roar to life like a pissed off lion. One word that sent a cold chill spider-walking down my spine. Faeries. ------------ Eve Scotts's world is divided by magic - The Order of the Seven who rules over her kingdom with a steel fist and the murderous faeries's she'll be forced to fight when she turns eighteen. Eve is a dueler, a human that dabbles in the elements to fight in underground scuffles for some extra coin to feed her fellow orphans back home. But she has a secret weapon: She can wield ice magic - a magic that is only reserved for the High Witches at court. But she makes a mistake. She exposes herself. Rumors are spreading of a small orphan girl who can wield the power of ice, and it isn't long until the Order sends one of their own to snatch up the bounty. In exchange for the secrecy of her special gift, Eve agrees to participate in the Witches Academy, where humans are taught to wield the power of the elements and become powerful witch soldiers for the Order's disposal. As Eve is drawn further into the Witch world, she risks everything to learn more about her power and her lineage. With her frozen heart melting for the Count of Night, Sebastian O'Neill, Eve is thrown into a cyclone of love, betrayal, and family drama she hadn't even known an orphan could inherit. Soon, Eve must decide: Is love, or survival more important? Word Count: 102,000.