❝ beware of those who enter the forest. ❞ They are creatures that born from the sublime and haunt those who wrongs them. It was the written rule the Nascherein was built upon, but to Leon Kiesinger, it was much greater than the imperial soldiers could hold. Sheltered away from the war and its decaying matter, he finds himself unable to avoid death, his haunting dreams told him to follow it, to see where it would lead him to. But it comes with a price, something that calls for a ghost among trees. © arden reni 2017 ― Featured as 'Hot Off the Press' | 04.18.18 ― Wattys Longlist | 08.31.18

This is the original, unedited version of Light as a Feather, Book #1. This book was the inspiration for the Hulu Original Series. The revised version is now available in bookstores throughout the USA & Canada from Simon Pulse. McKenna Brady thinks her junior year of high school is going to be the best ever when she's welcomed into the elite group of popular girls at Weeping Willow High School led by blonde, gorgeous Olivia Richmond. Prior to junior year, McKenna was known in her small town as the girl whose twin sister died in a tragic house fire, and she's overjoyed at the prospect of redefining her identity. She has a date to the Homecoming dance with Olivia's handsome older brother, and a good chance of being elected to student council. For the first time since McKenna's parents divorced, things are looking up. But everything changes the night of Olivia's Sweet Sixteen sleepover birthday party. Violet, the shy, mysterious new girl in town, suggests that the girls play a scary game called Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board, during which Violet makes up elaborate stories about the future ways in which beautiful Olivia, brassy Candace, and athletic Mischa will die. The game unsettles McKenna because she's already escaped death once in her life, but she doesn't want to ruin her friends' fun. It's only a game, she reminds herself.

During World War I, Captain Everett Monterose, a disillusioned schoolteacher with a haunted past from Malad, Idaho, wants a chance at happiness instead of continually being dished out of misery. But after he's severely wounded and temporarily blinded in battle, he's shipped back to America. He faces living the rest of his life crippled - until he meets Elyria Ormond, a blind woman volunteering at Walter Reed Army Hospital in Washington DC, offering compassion to soldiers on their deathbeds. Suddenly, their lives are forever changed, and dreams of true love they'd long since given up on are within reach. But Everett soon learns happiness is not a commodity to barter for with good deeds, and there is no escape from the many forms of misery.

Against the backdrop of the First World War, a young soldier tries to forget his past and survive each day. Back in England, a young woman who has made a terrible mistake tries to forget that he ever existed. Memories of happy summers long past mock the brutality of the world they now live in and each day; both on the front line and at home is a struggle to survive. But somehow, in the flare of bombs and the ashes of the battlefield... A youthful love simply refuses to die. And the repercussions of a buried, forbidden passion haunts them both. ~~~~ First place winner in 'Sad Story Category' in the Victoria Approved awards

"Pressing his lips together in an attempt to calm his utter happiness, Steve gave Brock's hands a giddy squeeze. Especially once the pastor turned towards Brock and instructed, 'Repeat after me. 'I, Brock Henry Rumlow.'' Taking in a deep breath, Brock started, 'I, Brock Henry Rumlow.' 'Take you, Steven Grant Rogers,' the pastor continued. 'Take,' Brock paused. 'Take,' the pastor encouraged, 'Take you, Steven Grant Rogers.' Brock nodded, clearing his throat, 'Take, take you... Steve... take you, Steve --' Steve leaned forward, urging Brock to continue. Already knowing exactly what to say because he had been waiting for this day, this moment, since he was a kid. 'I can't,' Brock said instead. Steve blinked a couple of times, 'What?' Brock lowered his voice and repeated, 'I can't. I can't do this.' Leaning closer, 'This really isn't funny.' 'I'm not joking,' Brock assured. Brock shook his head and gave the room a side glance as he clarified, 'This... isn't what I... want.' -Modern Stucky AU -Smut and other mature content -Some depictions of domestic violence -Some descriptions of embalming a body BOOK ONE OF EVERY NEW BEGINNINGS SERIES ***I don't own Marvel or the characters of Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes, nor any of the other Marvel characters