"If there was one thing that could throw this town on its head, of course it'd be the goddamned McKenzie house." The McKenzie house stood tall and proud, its walls worn down by time and weather. It sat with windows boarded and shutters closed, with doors locked and a porch full of holes. It was still for sale, but nobody in their right minds would buy it. First it lost its family, then its charm, and finally its power. For the past two decades, the house stood overlooking Weary Ranch, cold and dark and desolate. On one cold September morning, the citizens of Weary Ranch woke up to alarming news: all the lights were on in the McKenzie house. Thanks to @trevor_davis and @apruplebird for beta reading. Thanks to @hawkeyemilee for editing and beta reading. Cover by @queenpuff #10 on #multipov 11/27/18 #2 on #multipov 12/4/18! 1st place winner in the action/adventure/thriller category of the Medley Awards! 2nd place winner in the thriller category of the Materia Awards! Runner up in the Elite Awards!

An accomplished warrior and scholar, Kira has finally achieved her life-long goal of becoming the Hand of the Empress, her bodyguard and companion. But the capital city is more of a scorpion pit than a royal court, and there are many who want to see the Empress dead. Can Kira protect her ward, especially if she starts to fall in love with her? * * * Kira, daughter of poetry and blades, has had only one goal for as long as she can remember: become worthy of being named the First Hand of the Empress. To be her bodyguard, carer, and protector in a world where good leaders are not only needed, but targeted. To this end, her life has followed a path of one determined to prove herself better than any and all alternatives. A deep seated pain lies within her, hidden like the secret crimes committed for her to survive this far. Its a secret that she would die for, rather than reveal, and one she is sure lies firmly in her past. But with her success finally at hand, Kira realizes that she was anything but prepared. The simple world she had known mastering the ways of a spear-woman and scholar seems trivial in comparison to her new task of manoeuvring amongst the political campaigns of the Dragon Empress's Blood Court. The enigmatic Empress Hanaeri is another matter entirely. Something secret is happening behind those golden eyes, and in Kira's heart whenever she meets that gaze. The poets of the century to come will call Kira "Black Fantail", an ill omen of death, and the deeds they will write about begin the day that she falls in love with the woman she was meant to protect. * * * ATTENTION! Black Fantail is currently on HIATUS as I am writing my Masters Thesis. I'm looking forward to continuing Kira's journey as soon as I can. Expected to resume in June 2020. Updates Wednesday/Thursday Started Sept. 18 2019 * * * [#169 in Fantasy-romance] Sept. 2019 [#62 in Intrigue] Oct. 2019 [#116 in Romance] Oct. 2019

(INDEFINITE HIATUS) As far as Morifinwë Carnistir was concerned, release was supposed to be impossible. That was what he'd been told, what he'd nearly taken for granted, since the moment he entered those dark Halls. His crimes, his oath, the elves he killed in his struggles, served as clear enough reason for that sentence. And Caranthir had done nothing to beg for pardon. Third Age now, they were saying. What did he care? And the war that raged outside, the work of a returning Sauron, wasn't important to dead souls. Apparently, the Valar had other ideas. This is the tale of the War of the Ring, and how it all deteriorated into chaos when an unplanned visitor swooped in against all odds, changing history as it was written, and perhaps causing a bit too much drama for these newer, higher times. (This fic is currently on a forever hiatus, BUT you can find a sequel fic written by the amazing @HaltandCrowley13 ! Check out their page for the continuation!!!)