Fantasy. Lust. War. Immortality.
She was divine. He was forbidden.
Their love broke a law older than time itself.
Now, the world may burn for it.
In the realm of Belasus, eight immortal warriors known as the Guardians stand as the last light between the living and the rising dark. Each is bonded to a sacred beast - lion, wolf, panther, tiger, serpent, fox, jaguar, hawk - and bound to an oath: never touch the divine.
Lyon, their proud leader, shattered that vow when he fell for Elyra, the radiant Mother of Light. Their passion ignited a war, and her punishment left him hollow, haunted... and dangerously powerful.
Now, centuries later, a new enemy rises: the Strigios, undead creatures that feast on light itself. And only Elyra - lost, sealed beyond the veil - has the power to stop them. To awaken her, Lyon must risk everything: his command, his soul, and the final piece of his heart.
But love this deep leaves scars.
And to bring her back, he must reforge their bond through a forbidden, erotic ritual that could destroy them both... or reignite the dawn.
Some love stories aren't meant to end.
Some flames refuse to die.
PAUL
I cheated on my fiancée.
Sophie and I were building our future. In love, happy, peaceful. Then she found a lump in her breast and I made the worst choice: I numbed my fear by sleeping with someone else. My worst mistake and my biggest regret. Now I see Sophie around town with him. She's radiant and laughing with people who actually show up. I'm trying to learn how to be a man who does. If she lets me, I'll spend the rest of my life proving I can choose her when it's hardest. If she lets me...
SOPHIE
I thought the promise was in sickness and in health.
But he buried his fear in someone else. On the same night, I walked into a bookstore and meet the gentle giant owner who invites me to his book club full of misfits.
I'm laughing again, I smile more than I ever have, I heal my heart.
My ex says he can learn to stay, but my bookstore owner keeps showing up like it's as easy as breathing. I don't know what the future holds; I don't know if I'll win this battle against cancer, but I do know I'm done wasting time on people that love only when it's easy.
CALLUM
She came in to Rivers & Rhodes Bookstore and asked for books with happy endings only.
I gave her a recommendation, an invitation, and an offer of friendship. Now, this beautiful brave woman is completely under my skin. I'm not here to win a competition against him. I'm here because choosing someone, second by second, is the only way I understand love.
Content Warnings: on page cheating, emotional and physical infidelity, cancer, mentions of vomiting, bleeding, surgery. Please be advised.