Water's Dance ("Fire & Water" Series)
44 parts Complete MatureThis is the first Book in the Fire & Water Series.
In the harsh, arid lands where water is as precious as life itself, the world is cruelly divided. The caste of water mages rules with an iron fist, their reign of tyranny sustained by the sweat and blood of demon slaves, who labor tirelessly in the dangerous mines, extracting the precious metal lyrium that fuels the mages' power.
Ash, a demon slave born and raised in this unforgiving world, has only known suffering and deprivation. He bears the physical scars of his labor and the invisible wounds of a lifetime spent in chains. Yet, beneath his tough exterior, he's a natural-born leader, fiercely protective of his brethren and hellbent on finding a path to freedom.
An unexpected encounter with Aria, a water mage of noble blood, turns Ash's world upside down when an ancient demonic bond reveals her as his soulmate - his vesha. Torn between his ingrained hatred for the water mages and his inexplicable pull towards Aria, Ash is thrust into a maelstrom of emotions and danger.
To love a water mage is a curse in itself. To reveal the truth would be to place a target on both their backs, for a bond between a slave and a noble is a threat the ruling class cannot tolerate. For the safety of them both, Ash must suppress his feelings and maintain his distance. But when every fiber of his being longs for the one person he should despise, how long can he bear such a torment?
This is a story that explores the depths of resilience, the power of forbidden love, and the cost of secrets too dangerous to reveal. Can Ash protect his mate without losing himself or will he pay the ultimate price?