"Light up my darkness," he murmured against her bare flesh. His fingers trailed up her arm, leaving a blazing fire beneath them. His lips pressed softly against her shoulder and her eyes fluttered closed, accepting his touch. "Let go and I'll take away all of the pain." She desperately wanted to free herself from the torture of the heat, of the shift, of the sadness, but she pushed his firm chest away from her. She yearned to finally fulfill her place among the divine. She desired to guide and protect the species. She wished to eliminate the Challengers. The longer she endured the pain, the more power she would attain to help her fulfill her responsibilities. To the men who watched her ascend, it looked as if she was interacting with thin air, but she knew he was there with her. She smiled softly at him, caressing his cheek. "My Darkness, let the pain fester within me. I crave it." * The Betrayal is a part of The Marking Trilogy and cannot be read as a stand-alone book. The Marking must be read first.* Cover by @Finding_Bria

The time of Queen Arabelle and her companions has long since passed, and a new adventure has begun in this mythical world of dragons and heroes. Casimir Ivanov was born in a country, across the sea from Queen Arabelle's country, known as Altair. He is a master swordsman and an excellent smart mouth, but he lacks one very important trait that he is mocked for. Dragon rider blood. After running away from home to avoid being insulted further, Casimir finds himself meeting up with two Tionian siblings: Leopold Colburn, a renowned swordsman in Tiona and a future dragon rider, and Adaline Colburn, Leopold's younger sister and the rider of a water dragon. Leopold tells Casimir about an event known as the Dragon Tournament, a game designed to test if you are worthy enough of riding a dragon. When a mix up at the games occur, Casimir finds himself thrown into the games in Leopold's place and competing to prove himself worthy of riding a storm dragon, one of the most feared dragons out of all. Yet his fate is twisted before his eyes as he finds himself journeying with a group of unlikely allies in order to put a stop to the unrest unfolding in Tiona, a country that isn't his own but one that felt more like home than his did. It will take more courage than Casimir ever knew he had if he plans on surviving long enough to return home safely. ---------- © Isabella Espe 2014 - 2019 This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

Nobody has a perfect life, and especially not in the hood. At the age of six Ebony Fenty, was brought to California with her brother and mother. Her family came from the islands to find a place in America, but with no money or family to turn to, they quickly saw the American dream wasn't all it was caked up to be. With their mother going into prostitution and having men in and out, that soon became apart of their life. Twelve years later, Ebony is a dime piece who strips at 'Rough Riders'. On the side though, she works for her brother, as a set up woman. With the body of a vixen, a smile of an angel, and a heart of gold, she's any mans desire. Sad part is all of the men in her life, have done nothing but abuse and hurt her. One fateful night, she robs a member of the St.Nickolas Crew, who are the number one drug connects in the U.S. and quickly finds herself in a tornado of trouble. She is now in debt to the green eyed monster, Nikko. The dealer of all the southern states, and a very dangerous man, who has his own past full of conflict, pain, and death. Never would they have thought their paths connected in more ways then business, but they soon find themselves in a frenzy of feelings, bonds, and temptation. Will the cold-hearted, help the broken-hearted, and will the abused be able to heal one another? Slow and steady wins the race, but in the hood you could die on the chase. Follow the tale of danger, love, and dishonor. It's all about Game Recognizing Game!