"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

One Year, that's what they agreed upon. That's why she worked so hard to please him. That's why she did everything in her power to help him and his people. So she could live her second life, the way she wanted. In peace. One Year, they promised each other. To live a life as husband and wife. One Year, to convince everyone that they were a loving couple. One Year, to gather information on his enemies. One Year, to gather as much support and power from the royal court to his side. One Year, of playing pretend and fooling the whole Kingdom of their fake love story. Little did she know, it only took One Year for him to fall in love with her. Will he keep to his word of One Year? Or go back on it and break their promise?

She was born to be an empress. Beauty like immortal, talented in many aspects and a great politician. She married to the crown prince at the age of 11. Engendered two heirs for the kingdom. She really lives a perfect life. Shining crown and beautifully embroidered gown. Tingling hairpins on her head doesn't make her happy. Is it too greedy to ask for more? Is it insolent to say that she's unpleased with her life? Because the emperor never looked at her. Because he doesn't favor her, her days are full of sorrow. All she ever wanted is him.

Blake Myers was supposed to be a lawyer, not a stripper. But when every door slammed in her face and debt doubled, she found herself dancing at Play Bunnies Den. One rule. No falling for the clients. Then Roman Ferrari walked in. Powerful. Cold. Death wrapped in a tailored suit. Roman doesn't chase women, he owns them. But when Blake dances for him, something cracks. She's fire he can't control, temptation he can't ignore. One dance turns into a dangerous obsession. One night drags her into his world of blood, secrets, and sin. Now, Roman's willing to burn his empire to keep her. And Blake's about to learn that falling for a man like him doesn't just break hearts, it changes everything. *Mature and Violent content!*

He was powerful. He was terrifying. Said to be cruel and unjust. Terrifyingly possessive. He had the world, but to him she was his world. There was nothing he wouldn't do for his miraculum.

"What are you doing" I panted my eyes travelling towards his bee stung lips. "Tasting you" he said coming closer to bite my bottom lip. "And right now you taste too good to let go" ********* Aleena has always lived a safe life. she never wanted to enjoy the rush of danger and hadn't plan to, she had her life planned out for her the way she expected things to go. that was until her boyfriend decided to cheat on her, landing herself on a one way flight to Italy with Donatello, a notorious mobster. He was an unemotional, cocky, self- centred control freak, that let his rage get the best of him. after losing a bet in a game of poker, she was sent to Italy to keep his sister company to try and pay him back the money she owed. Until they both agree to play for her freedom. Donatello had no idea what he was thinking when he decided to play with Aleena. from the moment he saw those big round eyes he knew he had to keep her close no matter what. so when he decided to take her to Italy with him he knew it was a terrible idea. she was like a drug. a drug he wanted to taste. One he wanted to become addicted too. One he wanted nothing more but to keep all to himself. #2 empowerment #1 poker #1 mine #2 hot

"The Caregiver and the Mob Boss" ❦ Avelina makes her money by taking care of those who can't take care of themselves. When she is handed a case about a man who had needed a personal caregiver, she accepts. One thing Avelina never anticipated was the dangerous lifestyle he lived. Not only that, but she didn't expect for him to be so incredibly good-looking. Adrik Zolotov, the Russian mobster that everyone called "Mad Hatter". His insanity and crave for blood left him the most feared man of all. All he wanted was power and those around him to fear him. For a man recently diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, everyone believed him to be emotionally incapable of ever loving anyone. . . Imagine their surprise when he meets Avelina. ❦ "Mr. Zolotov, I have to make sure you bathe before I leave. It's apart of my jobs protocol," she said softly. The truth was that he made her feel nervous. There was so much coldness and evil in his eyes, it left a chill to run down her spine. "Fine," he stated before walking over to his bathtub. Her eyes followed his movements as he pulled off his shirt causing her to lick her lips and quickly look away. She could hear the sound of more clothes falling onto the ground until the sound of water running littered her eardrums. "You assist when asked, isn't that right?" He asked. Slowly, she opened her eyes to see that he had already gotten into the shower. "Yes," Avelina answered. "Bathe me." ❦ Dangerously far from cliché

Olivia Phoenix is the type of girl that everyone wants to be friends with. She may seem bitter on the outside because she doesn't trust no one but actually she is really sweet. She has straight A's and knows what she wants to do in the future. Alexander Torricelli is a gynecologist. He is the type of doctor that everyone falls in love with. He is tall, tattooed and most importantly he is a hot Italian. No woman can resist him but he can resist every woman. Well that's what he thinks. What happens when this hot 19-year-old girl comes to get birth control? Is their age going to be a problem? Or is there someone that doesn't want them together? #1 olivia - 6/27/21 #1 doctor - 8/10/21 #1 gynecologist - 8/10/21 #1 seattle - 10/14/21

"He found his solace in her, while she her missing piece." ______________________________________ "Alestia Valentin, I assume?" He spoke as she closed the distance between them crossing his arms as he casually leaned against the wall by his seat. An ear-splitting grin overtook her cold features as she played along. "What do you want?" She replied coldly- or well as coldly as she could muster with that idiotic smile plastered on her face. "You." She almost swooned. _________________________ You said feelings fade with time? Oh well... Then you're in for a ride. You said opposites attract each other? Oh boy... You haven't seen the attraction between identicals yet. _____________________ She was realistic. A little too much actually. The lack of empathy had seeped deep in her bones long before the time her parents passed away. Igniting her emotions were something deemed impossible. Well atleast until he came along, that is. ------------------------------ He was rational. Logic ruled his senses. The horrors of the world plagued him since the tender age of six, what should've been a beautiful life had turned into dark void, while shackles of vengeance were all that lead him on. Revenge was all he lived for. Well atleast until she came along, that is. _________________