In the kingdom of Vanderdash, there is no more feared warriors than that of the Scarlet Guard. Protectors of the royal family, skilled assassins trained since childhood, They follow the crown, they enforce the crown. To many, the group cloaked in red is a greater symbol of the royal family's power than the kings crown itself. Citizens respect and fear the scarlet guard, the power they hold. But within the guard there is only one who installed that very same feeling into the rest. Head of the prince's royal guard, ruthless and cunning, rarely seen by the citizens themselves. They call her Red. An expert in poisons and deception, the small girl has brought armies to their knees without once lifting a blade. A vermillion haired monster hidden behind the face of a doll. ~~ I smiled up at the men, "Would you like a cookie?" They peered into the basket I held out, spotting the heart shaped treats. "They're cinnamon with apple Jam. I do promise they are to die for." The taller mans eyes narrowed, "did you give the poor fool dead on the road a cookie?" My lips parted, "a dead man? Oh my..do you think it is safe?" "..depends on who you are miss, why did you say you were in the woods again?" I smiled gently, "I didn't." He rose a brow. "I'm delivering these," I shook the basket a bit, "to my dearest grandmama." He hesitated for only a slight second, "oh. well. be careful then. These woods can be dangerous." I nodded once still holding out the basket, "so would you?" "Would we what?" I giggle a bit, "like a cookie silly." "Ah.." he scratched the back of his head, "sorry, I'm not too fond of apples." Damn it. I sighed softly, "strawberry next time then." "Right..." As I turned to go I looked up at the two tall men, "you be careful now too gentleman. There are wolves in these woods." They nodded rigidly as I spun and began to skip off, giggling to myself. He asked the wrong question. I didn't give the dead fool a cookie. I gave him two.

"You once said you'd never fall for a girl with a leash, Konstantin," she teased. "Tell me... has the monster finally fallen?" ⸻ Van Volkov was cold, distant, and counting down the days until his debt ended - until Aira Blight tore his world apart. Now he's bound to her, heart and soul, sworn to protect the human girl who became his greatest weakness. A year after being rescued from her grandfather's estate, Aira's finally free - living the life she once only dreamed of. But this new life brings new truths. Van is changing, pulling away, haunted by something darker than she can reach. When his curse rises to claim him, Aira must cross worlds and face the spirits of the past to save the man who once saved her. He's her protector. Her bond. Her undoing. He gave her freedom. Now she'll risk everything to give him back his soul. (Book 2 from Lady and the Wolf)