"Society wants to believe it can identify evil people, bad people, or harmful people. But, it's not practical. Sometimes, there are no stereotypes, there's just evil." -Ted Bundy, serial killer of 30+ victims. Sometimes, Wattpad authors are inspired by real-life horror that's going on in their own lives. Special thanks to @Heather_Dianne for the cover!

This Jack the Ripper inspired short story was the winning entry for Shaun Allan's "Jack" Writing Contest. It was published on Halloween, 2017 in the Jack Anthology. I had a great deal of fun writing it. Hope you enjoy it.

Poet laureate Irilio has just discovered his father's plans to wed him to the dullest woman in Laremlis. He vents his outrage during a stroll through The Thicket and ironically finds himself at the well of Zezen, goddess of sacred unions. In a fit, he defiles the tranquil waters, drawing the attention of a heartbroken veteran who shares his supernatural story of love and loss. The tragic tale inspires an epic ballad and possibly a curse.

Author Note: If you have already read my story 'The Northman's Bride', this is the same story with no changes or edits. I have written a full length novel, book 3 in my Sons of the North series and have decided to use the title 'The Northman's Bride' for it. I apologize for any confusion. What would you do with only a few days left to live? Would you do throw your pride aside and dare to love? Aleksi has lived his life by the motto that woman were to be worshiped, not understood, much like religion. Now, one of the last two survivors on a plague ship, he has begun to wonder if he hasn't missed out on enjoying the comfort that a charming young wife might have brought him. Wounded in a recent battle, Commander Aleksi Ekstrom awakens on the Norrland ship to discover the priest's ward, a young French woman, locked below deck in a cabin of dead nuns, all other passengers and crew lay dead or dying of what looks like plague. Feeling fevered, yet unwilling to surrender her life just yet, Mimi has the forty-day ship quarantine to live her final days to the full. Her sole wish is to not die a virgin. Promised to the church since birth, she always knew she'd be a terrible nun, and so apparently had the evil priest that was selling her to a warlord in Estonia, where the ship had been heading before contracting the deadly plague. Anchored off the coast of Sweden, the quarantined plague ship is well supplied by Aleksi's grieving father and Jarl Magnus, who generously provides his loyal commander with anything requested, grateful to Aleksi for years of brave, loyal service to Tronscar. Aleksi and Mimi toss social restraints aside and speak openly and honestly, holding nothing back, both desiring to live out their final days with no regrets. But, if they survive the quarantine what then, will Aleksi return to his old life and will Mimi be returned to the warlord she was promised? **Adult content.**

"The frozen wastes ahead of him stretched out like an endless sea of glass, reflecting the sun's light. Everyone that he ever knew or loved was behind him, standing like statues. Every pair of eyes staring at his broad shoulder blades. They were ushering him out into that waste. The lack of concern for one of their greatest warriors was a testament to the crime he'd committed against his people. This was exile. This was excommunication. Forbidden to ever return home to his clan. Only one direction for him now. Forward." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Brin Aadi is one of the greatest warriors of his time; undefeated in single combat and champion to his clan. Despite all of this, he is exiled after repaying a life-debt to an enemy clansman. Floundering in a world without his family and training, he is approached by an unlikely group of magicians. With promise of power and knowledge beyond his wildest dreams, Brin agrees to join them on their quest to stop a Necromancer from the East. ~Featured from 3/17-3/30~

Highest Rankings: #1 in Featured #1 in Werewolf #1 in Dragon #1 in Fantasy #1 in Adventure #1 in Action #1 in Series #23 in Romance "Lyzaria! What did I tell you about the forest?" My father scolds me sharply. I flinch at the anger in his voice and quickly retract my hand, inches from the trunk of the tree. "Sorry father, I couldn't help it. The trees are just so beautiful," I whine turning towards him. His face softens slightly and he scoops me up into his muscled arms. I wrap my small arms around his neck and bury my face into his shoulder. He hugs me tightly and carries me away from the forest. "Why can't we go into the forest?" I ask, looking over his shoulder to see the red and gold leaves slowly disappear from view as we climb the hill. "The forest is a dangerous place," he sighs. "How can something so beautiful be so dangerous?" I mutter in confusion. "The danger is in its beauty." **Cover by SodaliteSilver**

For years, the faceless terror known as the Hand of Fate has been secretly manipulating the port city of Reyza for her shadowy ends. Those she favors rise in status while those who betray her are never heard from again. When the opportunity to eliminate a powerful dynasty presents itself, the Hand of Fate conspires with a sadistic diplomat who shares the king's bed. Together, they hatch a plan to assassinate their rivals. The plan is flawless-every variable calculated-except for one. On the night the Hand of Fate's hired assassin makes his move, a notorious thief is also making his. Jarle Jadien has had it with the gray-haired harpy whom he serves and succumbs to the greatest temptation of all: The Ensther estate is home to the king's betrothed and a fortune in jewels. When the risky heist takes a disastrous turn, Jarle finds himself in possession of a treasure he has no intention of keeping. Avaren Ensther is beauty and intrigue in one, and a keeper of secrets that reach far beyond Jarle's world of whiskey and disrepute. Reyza's infamous thief has had his heart stolen from under his nose, but time will tell if his sirenic temptress proves worthy. Within the city walls, a retired war-hero investigates the conspiracy and attempts to uphold justice, but his efforts may not suffice to prevent an all-out war. Too many vengeful plots have festered; too much blood spilled. As the moons reach a cataclysmic alignment, unleashing the terrible force of the tides, neither hero, criminal, nor all-powerful monarch; can escape the tendrils of fate.