Norlyn has suffered many tragedies over the years, from poverty to poisoned waters to drought and now enemy invaders are turning the country to rubble. Ayla Nkri is a villager in Norlyn. She was taught from young what her duty was to her country and to her family: she must graduate the academy and find her place in the military or royal guards. Her grades are in line with acceptance to the renown Orhem Academy. But in a new world of rules and discipline, her vulgar attitude and magic might not be as impressive when compared to that of the upperclass. She and every other like her, are sacrifices for Norlyn and she must remember this-even when faced with the heir to a great noble house, Sir Zayd of Cormill, who insists there is much more to life. A noble who has no knowledge of the the suffering that peasants must face if they do not willingly lay down their lives for their country or know of the negotiations taking place between allied nations, that sort of person has no right to give her advice in what is best for her country or her family. Strong willed and determined as Ayla is, there something in the shadows-someone is watching, and without her knowing it, she becomes a puppet on a string.

Aubrey Wilson has the heart of an angel. As the type of person to always trust in others, she's admirable to peers. A total darling, but with a sadness that encases her heart. Anyone could shrink down in fright at the receiving end of Luke Taylor's infamous glare. Tall, muscular, dark-haired, and handsome, he's no stranger on or off the field. Not a kind stranger either. A total brooding asshole, but with a sadness that encases his heart. --- "You didn't have to hit him or anything," I lie my head on his broad, strong shoulder. "He shouldn't have touched you like that," he tucks a curl behind my ear. ~Strong Language~ ~Mild Violence~

When River crosses paths with a man who speaks to every hidden hunger inside her, their connection spirals into an all-consuming pull neither of them can resist-but is she Grayson's salvation... or his ruin? *** Everyone in River Avelle's hometown knows about Grayson Maddox-the troubled bad boy who almost killed another student in the middle of the school hallway. Those who look into Grayson's eyes only see pure fury and hatred. They all think he's beyond redemption, even Grayson himself. But not River. As the seemingly perfect good girl, River saw something more in those alluring grey eyes. Something worth holding onto. From the first time their eyes connect, both Grayson and River feel the intense, undeniable attraction between them...but neither of them understand what's pulling them together so fiercely. The closer they get and the more vulnerable they become, River has to wonder: is she saving Grayson from his darkness? Or is she just pulling him further into hers? *** He tips my head toward his with his index finger, keeping my eyes trained on him and driving me crazy with the primal look on his face. His grey eyes look heavy, filled with dark desire, and a shock runs up through my core. Everything around us disappears and all I can sense is him and the hardness pressing between my legs. "What are you doing to me, River?" he whispers, his voice raspy and utterly captivated. His face is lowering and I'm closing my eyes, waiting for soft lips to press against mine. My whole body is on fire as I hold my breath for his touch. *** Cover by @strayin

"It's kind of ironic, you know? My life has always revolved around being on ice. It only makes sense that I met the girl I love after she slipped on the only patch in the parking lot."

want /wänt,wônt/ verb definition: to have a desire to possess or do something; to wish for something want is a funny thing. the way that it works. we all have wants. some people want to be successful, while others want love. there are a countless number of things we want as human beings. it's never ending. once you have something that you want, you can't help but find another, and another. but have you ever wanted something so bad that you'd give up everything (yes, everything) in a heartbeat? just to feel that one moment of happiness after you finally get what you want? that's all Cassandra Rhodes has ever wanted. she's the daughter of billionaire Blake Rhodes, and her life is nothing short of luxurious. there's not a physical thing that she cannot have. but, the luxuries she has isn't what she seeks. there's a million things she has that others would die for, but none of it is what she wants. what she wants is what she can't have. ~