©Novel Buddy
ROMANCE
“Get your filthy hands off my wife!” Ford’s commanding voice boomed through the room.Mrs. Johnson, stunned, released Elena’s wrist immediately.Ford stepped forward, his eyes sharp and unyielding. “I chose her. I need her. She’s mine. Don’t ever think you have a right over her again. Consider this your only warning—to you and your daughter.”Taking Elena’s trembling hand in his, Ford led her away. His grip was firm yet reassuring, and for the first time in years, Elena felt protected.Sitting in the car, tears rolled down her cheeks. She couldn’t believe someone had stood up for her. Then, as her emotions overwhelmed her, Ford gently turned her face toward him kissing her with passion gradually Elena melted to his touch breaking her walls for the only man who stood by her.For a fleeting moment, Elena felt hope.What happens When Ford learns of Elena’s hidden son.As their love shatters after finding Elena’s Secret, he sends her packing.What happens when Ford finds out that the child born was from a mistake he made years ago while drunk.Will he be able to gain back Elena’s love?Would Elena find it in her heart to forgive?
Rumors say that if you ever come across an extremely handsome man in a doctor's coat twirling a shiny scalpel between his fingers with an alluring smile on his lips that takes your breath away…Run.For he is the devil.***Yang Mingshen’s existence screams of six adjectives - Handsome, wealthy, talented, narcissist, arrogant and evil.He is an unrivaled doctor from one of the most affluent and prestigious Underworld families, who sees only medicine and his own interests. Until a desire consumes him - to have a woman’s heart.That woman, Song Jia, continues to put all the wrongs to right as a capable police officer. She, whose life was once saved by the devil doctor, refuses to bend to his tempting seduction.“I will just take your heart and put it in somebody else's chest. It won't hurt at all, I promise~”“Yes because I will be dead to feel anything.”But the bad news comes knocking when Yang Mingshen becomes the lead forensic investigator to assist in her cases. With a devil now clinging to her, she comes across a deep, dark and cruel web of conspiracies stained with blood, love, hatred, revenge, politics and much more.Treading into dangerous territories, will they be able to uncover the net of lies and deceit? And maybe find love along the way?*EXCERPT*“I am not the weak patient anymore. You try to grab my neck and I will break your wrist,” Jia threw him a death glare.Mingshen leaned in closer, chuckling devilishly. “I told you before, Spicy. I have saved your life. I have touched your heart quite literally. So that heart beating in your chest right now belongs to Yang Mingshen. If I want it, I will have it.”
When a dead Ninja meets a Fenton things become explosive. Watch Danny strive to complete the tasks before death gets to him or his world is destroyed.Disclaimer: I do not own anything
“Did you just marry the richest man in the country… by accident? How does that even happen?”Delphinia sighed dramatically. “I know, I’m such an overachiever. But it’s easy, really. Step one: drink too much. Step two: find the perfect man. Step three: say ‘I do’ before he realizes I’m a walking disaster.”“And the revenge?”She raised her glass. “Served cold, with a diamond bigger than my ex’s ego.”—After years trapped in a loveless, abusive marriage, Delphinia had one plan: leave her toxic past behind and never look back. But freedom isn’t as sweet as she’d hoped. With no family to turn to and no place to go, she crashes with her best friend…only to end up at a party where one too many drinks lead to one tiny (accidental) marriage to Evander Walton.Handsome, rich, and absolutely off-limits, Evander is everything Delphinia thought she’d never have. And he has just one condition if she wants to break things off: she’ll have to pay him back…for the huge diamond ring she barely remembers accepting. Broke and in no position to negotiate, she’s got no choice but to play along with her accidental husband and the lavish life that comes with him.Now she’s living in luxury, holding her head high, and plotting the sweetest revenge against the ex who tried to ruin her. Because if there’s one thing Delphinia knows, it’s that payback is best served in designer heels.
Born blind and causing his mother’s death in the process, Adam did not have an easy childhood.Due to the circumstances of his birth, he was labeled a cursed child, enduring a harsh upbringing as he suffered mistreatment at the hands of his own family.Everything changed when, at the age of five, he was subjected to a talent test alongside other children. However, he failed spectacularly, becoming one of the rare cases in history of someone born without talent.His family immediately exiled him, abandoning him to his fate in a forest teeming with spiritual beasts.But by a twist of fate, a higher existence took notice of him—Selene Ashwyn, the princess of an immortal empire, who wandered in search of something that could help her escape her own destiny.Sensing something special within him, Selene chose to take him in as her disciple, determined to help him escape the deep darkness that had engulfed him since birth.Follow Adam’s journey and his inevitable rise to the top.
To be exact, the female lead is an “older sister” type, amid many beauties and handsome guys, she's no white lotus.Also, it's said that the name of this book is the same as a brand of sheep's milk powder.
Ella was betrayed on her 25th birthday by Alpha Eric, leading to a one-night stand at a bar. She Initially mistaking Eric for just a call boy, later, she discovers that he is actually an Alpha of a pack, leading to an unwanted pregnancy. She ran away without a trace, bearing and taking care of the twins alone. It's later turned out to be an interesting romance. What happens when Eric discover that the twins are actually his? Will Ella forgive Eric for betraying her?
★DARK ROMANCE★^WARNING 18+^~NO RAPE~In a world dominated by organized crime and ruthless power struggles, a tangled web of trauma, revenge, and forbidden passion unfolds.Katya Volkov, the stunning but vulnerable daughter of the Russian Mafia's feared right-hand man, has endured a childhood of unrelenting brutality and neglect.Growing up, Katya was repeatedly tormented by her father's resentment, leaving her emotionally shattered and unloved.However, Katya's life was about to take a much darker turn. Romeo Salvatore, a name that was both feared and respected, emerged from the shadows.His traumatic past has left an indelible mark on his soul, rendering him cold and detached.Seeking retribution, Romeo launches a daring invasion of the Volkov's heavily guarded estate. He captures both Katya and her abusive father, subjecting them to merciless torture.Convinced of Katya's complicity in her father's heinous crimes, Romeo executes her father and condemns Katya to a life of hellish slavery.Yet, as time passes, the boundaries between captor and captive begin to blur. Katya and Romeo find themselves inexorably drawn into a forbidden bond, igniting a fiery passion that threatens to consume them both.Torn between his thirst for revenge and his burgeoning desire for Katya, Romeo is forced to confront the darkness within himself, would he be consumed by lust, passion and possibly love or would he stay loyal with his beliefs.~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~This story is an enemies to lover type so don't expect all fluff and rainbows.~Weak to strong female~ML is ruthless, don't expect him to be a saint.~No rape~humours, laugher, tears and blush.~ And lastly, this story is not for the weak hearted~
A young man playing games in his basement is struck by a mysterious bolt of lightning, killing him instantly. However, he wakes up in the body of a disgraced young lord, now tasked with managing a ruined, crumbling kingdom. With no experience and a tarnished reputation to overcome, his future seems bleak.Fortunately, he possessed the Omnishop System, a mysterious tool that enabled him to purchase skills and supplies as well as upgrade his existing skills using points. Rebuilding the kingdom is no easy feat, but Alexander has his sights set on more than just survival.With ambition burning in his heart, he dreams of ruling an empire, if he can survive the challenges ahead.
I possessed the weakest character in a survival game. Before the game started, 97% of the viewers bet that I would die. But I am confident. Because I am here, this character will survive until the end. I know the information about this survival game. *** After working hard, I became the guild master of the No. 1 guild and one of the top rankers. I gained reliable comrades and allies. “Rudel, you’re a really good person.” Lilith, the beautiful female character who always trusts me unconditionally. “Let’s eat that deer.” Gio, the battle member who, despite being half-naked and always hungry, holds immense potential. All I did was strive to survive. But some wanted more from me. “If you don’t have anyone else in mind… you could accept me.” The No. 1 male character in appearance clings to me, nearly in tears. The hidden character and the only bug character in this game that I found- “Rudel, you are dazzling. Both in body and soul. Unlike me.” He looked at me with clear eyes as if I were the only person in the world. Everyone, please stop. I’m busy uncovering the secrets of this game.
Monster Fusion: Rise of the Vice Sect LeaderRay Darkheart was cursed forever unable to cultivate, even after reincarnation. No technique, no bloodline, no divine intervention could change his fate. His body rejected all forms of cultivation, leaving him powerless in a world where strength ruled.But fate was not so absolute.One day, he awakened the Monster Fusion System a power unlike any other. By fusing two monsters of the same rank, he could create something far stronger, evolving them beyond their natural limits. Each fusion carried forward enhanced traits, bloodlines, and abilities, forming creatures that defied logic itself.Yet power came at a price.To advance, to unlock the system’s hidden functions, he needed spiritual stones countless, unending spiritual stones. Every ability, every upgrade, every path forward demanded a fortune. Alchemy, formations, talismans, swordsmanship nothing was beyond his reach, as long as he could afford it.Thus, Ray chose the only path left to him.If the world would not grant him strength, he would take it for himself. As the Vice Sect Leader, he would amass wealth, plunder resources, and rob cultivators blind not for greed, but for survival.A powerless man? No.A schemer, a thief, a legend in the making Ray Darkheart would rise.[sect building] [business empire] [disciple cultivation] [comedy] [alchemist] [formation master] [sword dao] [system] [monster fusion] [resource management] [plundering] [strategic growth] [power progression] [cultivation world]
The daughter of a healthcare company's CEO, Ines Jackson was in an arranged relationship that was soon supposed to turn into a marriage.However, her fiancé, Trevor Harrington, was physically abusing her and using her only for her family’s status.One night, while running away from him as he chased her in a drunken rage, she bumped into a guy…not just any guy, but a famous boxer: Raphael Giovanni, whom she had never heard of personally.He saved Ines from Trevor, and in her rush for safety, she offered him a marriage in return.Unbeknownst to Ines, Raphael knew her father, who was responsible for his mother’s health issues and eventually her death.Seeking revenge, Raphael agreed to the marriage. But little did he know that the heiress would become more than just a part of his revenge plan.“You can’t love me…monsters like me don’t live enough to experience love.”
#FANTASY #ROMANCE #ROMANTASY # WEREWOLF #ACTION #ADVENTURE #REVENGE #BETRAYAL #CEO #BUSINESS #FEMALELEAD #WEMENPOWEREleanor Whitmore, the second daughter of the renowned Whitmore family, was born with a golden spoon in her mouth... or so everyone believed. But one day, her perfect world shattered like fragile glass.Just when she thought life couldn’t get any worse, she had no idea the worst was yet to come.After a series of shocking events left her with nowhere to hide, she chose to fight back against those who had conspired against her.
The woman who lost everything and the man who can have anything he wants… united by revenge.Anna Hyde was a devoted wife, willing to do anything to make her husband happy—except give him a child. When he decides she is no longer useful, he demands a divorce while his family humiliates her and casts her out of their estate. To make matters worse, the only family she has left—her own aunt—disowns her, leaving her with absolutely nothing.Anna believes things can’t possibly get worse, but when it rains, it pours. Marienne, her husband’s mistress, tries to blind and kill her. But this time, luck is on Anna’s side. On the verge of death, she is saved by William Stark, a returning billionaire who offers her a new identity and the chance to take back everything that was stolen from her.With a new face and a new name, Anna is reborn as Chloe Dumas, ready to make those who wronged her pay.
Shen Yubai from the international class is a wealthy young master, enormously powerful and notoriously difficult to deal with, haughty and proud. The transfer student, Shen Sinian, is fresh and handsome, sunny and cheerful, with a mysterious background, almost mythical.Xu Chuning from the regular class and her mother rely on each other, living a meager life, attending school with the aid of scholarships. She should have nothing to do with either Shen Yubai or Shen Sinian.However, recently, schoolmates have noticed that she and the transfer student Shen Sinian are unusually close, their interaction ambiguous. Shen Sinian seems to do everything she says, whereas Shen Yubai from the international class shows special attentiveness towards her.One day, schoolmates even overheard Shen Yubai cornering Xu Chuning, asking her in a deep voice, “Who is better, me or Shen Sinian?”Classmates: “?”Is this some kind of love triangle showdown?
What is love after all, and where does it come from?I can't quite understand it. Perhaps love is just a colorful butterfly, beautiful to look at but forever out of reach.If you try to hold onto it tightly, it will struggle, and in that struggle, it will rub off all its colors and become pale.
When the Soul Plague arrived, it struck fast, transforming its victims into soulless monsters. The horde swept across the land unchecked—until the Awakened appeared. These survivors, immune to the plague, turned the tide of war into a bloody stalemate. But while the front lines held, the plague continued to spread and the horde only grew in number.Desperate for reinforcements, the World Government began conducting controlled infections of its able-bodied citizens to produce more Awakened. Hill was one of the conscripts. After going through a harrowing trial induced by the plague, his life was torn apart and remade: he emerged Awakened, endowed with strange new powers—but also bound by a dark curse that resides deep within his own soul.As Hill learns to wield his abilities alongside fellow survivors, he uncovers unsettling truths about the plague’s true nature and the hidden price of becoming one of humanity’s last line of defense.
Morca, a mere mortal who dared to ascend to the heavens and claim his place among the so-called gods, ultimately failed. Not because of his own weakness, but because he was forced to watch his beloved little brother be slain by the Heavenly Titan Court’s envoy.In that moment of grief and distraction, the Heavenly Titan Court’s envoy, realizing they could not stop him through conventional means, placed upon him the Curse of Eternal Doom, a fate that ensured both the heavens and the abyssal realms would relentlessly pursue him until his existence was completely erased.And it nearly worked. His soul teetered on the brink of annihilation, moments away from being extracted.Then, everything turned blank.===Morca, after 'transmigrating' into the world of Eden, awakened a powerful system that granted him a unique SSS+ talent. This talent allowed him to grow stronger through battle and killing. With the system’s aid, he advanced rapidly, eventually ascending into the Oblivion Realm–a place beyond the known and the unknown. There, he uncovered a great secret that no one had ever imagined existed.During his journey to power, he met Neo Laura, a companion bound to him by the system.===The birth of the Child of Nihility. An entity destined to shake the heavens, the abyssal realms, and even the oblivion realm itself.===Everything in existence has an opposite. So, if nothing exists beyond the darkest space… then shouldn't its opposite be everything?Beyond the endless void outside the universe lies the Oblivion Realm, home of the Nihilians.They are described in a single word, Catalytic.They grow quickly. They Course destruction just as fast.Shrouded in mystery, their existence is a paradox.
[Mature Content]“The brightest light casts the darkest shadow”Eirin lived her life in the shadows of her precious friend, but she soon fell into deep chaos after she stumbled upon a humanoid that tried to take her life without an ounce of hesitation. She was saved by a group of people who wielded unknown abilities, and the moment she woke up, it all felt like a nightmare.Just when she thought she had escaped death, the people who saved her are now the ones after her life. Misfortunes started going her way, and creatures unknown to her appeared one by one, taking the most precious person away from her and leaving Eirin in despair.Secrets started unfolding, and the monster Eirin sought for so long was not the one she expected them to be.
This world is not only as the public knows it; there is an underworld that ordinary people don't encounter.Government agents handle troubles in the shadows, while corporate assassins privately deal with issues.Assassins, mercenaries, arms dealers, and spies exist, along with a dark web that ties this world together, and tycoons who attempt to control everything with money.Gao Yi entered the underworld, unbeatable in close combat, carving out his own domain.But there are guns in this world. Beyond seven steps (close combats), guns are faster.Within seven steps, guns are both accurate and quick.Only within three steps does Gao Yi's punch become faster.Unable to beat them, he chose to join them, aiming to rule them all.To rule everything, become the king of killers in the eyes of mercenaries, the king of spies in the eyes of assassins, the king of killers in the eyes of spies, and the king of intelligence in the eyes of arms dealers.Until he is crowned king by the entire underworld, Gao Yi is the ultimate firepower.
Three rejections. Three shattered dreams. That was Layla’s reality, all because she was different—a half-shifter in a world obsessed with purity. Ostracized, shunned, and finally sold off like a pawn to the most feared ruler alive—the Lycan King. He was ruthless, a king with a graveyard of brides, each one a ghostly reminder of a fate worse than death.Layla loathed him. Hated the way his gaze cold and fathomless, held no warmth for her. Hated how his touch, both thrilling and terrifying, sent an uninvited chill down her spine.---“I hate you!” I screamed, hands clenched so tight my knuckles ached.He sighed, a smirk curling at the edge of his lips, his tone mocking as he closed his book with a deliberate snap. “Stressed, are we?” he asked, strolling toward me, each step reminding me exactly who held the power here.“Lucky for you,” he drawled, rolling up his sleeves as he stopped just inches away, “I know exactly 70 ways to ease those nerves.” His fingers brushed my cheek, a touch that seemed to burn into my skin. “The first… a hug.” His voice dropped to a rough whisper as he leaned in, breath hot against my ear. “And the rest... well, that's 69? what do you say about that?”I swallowed hard, my heart thudding wildly as he tilted his head, waiting for me to react, that insufferable smirk still in place.“What’s the matter, darling?” he murmured, a taunt lingering in his gaze.---A Dangerous ObsessionCan she resist the pull, or will she dance into the flames of her own destruction?A dark dive into obsession, raw need, and the razor’s edge between desire and devastation.---LYCAN KING CASSIANI will tear her apart piece by piece, feeding the wildfire that grips her with each shuddered breath. Like air to flame, I’ll claim every inch, drawing heat from her skin until it sinks into her bones.Her pulse will race under my hands, her breaths shallow, pleading. Her eyes may scream, but her lips will still murmur my name. That first taste of fear will only feed something deeper—a need that burns through her veins, molten and fierce.And just when she’s too far gone to turn back, I’ll twist the knife, giving her the pain she’s learned to crave.She’ll be the moth to my flame, helpless against the very thing that will consume her.
When Evelyn’s loser fiance steals her company's secrets and elopes with her prostitute mother, she finds herself facing impending bankruptcy. But unexpected help comes in the form of an unusual offer from her business rival and ex-boyfriend, Alexander Langford.“Bear my children, Eve, and I’ll save this precious company of yours.”To everyone else, Alexander is the heir to a billion dollar fortune, and the acting industry’s handsome darling. But to Evelyn, he is nothing more than a cold-hearted, arrogant man she dumped for being a compulsive liar years ago - but unknown to her, he has never lied about his love.How could Alexander miss the golden chance to hit two birds with one stone? He gets his inheritance, and a family with the love of his life. Now, if only dear Evelyn would stop thinking the worst of him…[Strong female lead x doting male lead.][EXCERPT]“You’re out of your mind,” Eve snaps. “You could have any woman in this world, and you want ME to be the mother of your children?!”“Why not? You’re smart, savvy, and fucking hot,” Alex says as he takes a step forward, trapping her body between his muscular arms. His dark blue eyes gaze deep into hers with unbridled lust. “I want our children to have the best from both of us. Our children could take over the world.”“There is no ‘our’,” Eve says coldly, pushing him away. “I will be the surrogate for your children. This is nothing but a business deal. There is NO love in this contract. But in exchange, you need to do something else.”“And what is it?”“Help me take down my ex-fiance. That bastard deserves to die after fucking my mom and ruining my life.”Alex chuckles. “It’s a deal then, sweetheart.”It was nothing but a business deal at first. But what if the line between business, love, and hatred were getting blurry as they got entangled too far and too long?[Power couple, slow burn, getting back together.]
The waves ripple around me,calling me in a whisper,Into the deepest part of the ocean.As I walk on the soft sand,the water sweeps over my feet,surrounding where I stand,giving me the sweetest sensation.Oh ocean,why do I feel so attracted to you?Why do I feel the tickling of your whispers?As it causes cold shivers down my spine.I could hear your gentle lullaby,It roars like a lion, yet so steady and honestJust like a refined diamond.Oh, sea, why do you call my name in a whisper?Caressing waves upon the shore,Once again you beckon me.Why do you show yourself at my doorstep?Why do I feel your presence everywhere I go?Why do you call me so desperately?I want to know, cause when the sea calls?Who will answer?
Mizuno Eiji, a siscon high school student, receives the worst news from his older sister: “I have a boyfriend now.”In order to identify the man who stole his sister, he follows her on a date and… sees a suspicious figure watching the two of them as well.That person is Hasegawa Aoi, his classmate who is famous for hating men despite being a beautiful girl!“I can’t believe you are actually a brocon.”“I never thought you are a siscon.”In order to make their beloved sister and brother to break up, the two of them formed a mutual relationship and went on a date as fake lovers while following the brother-sister couple… Aoi kissed Eiji on the cheek.“You’re the only one who is… special.”Brocon x Siscon, two people who shouldn’t be able to get along is actually a perfect match…!?
The boy who Sneaks in My Bedroom Window
He was born with the most powerful attribute ever seen—yet it’s the one power that no one can control. Not even him.Unstable. Chaotic. Dangerous.Aramith lived an almost quiet life—until strange visions and fragmented memories began to haunt him. Whispers of a name he doesn’t remember. Shadows moving where none should be. And a voice, deep within, urging him to awaken.When hidden forces begin to stir, and those he trusted reveal their fangs, Aramith is thrown into a war of secrets, bloodlines, and ancient powers.He doesn’t know who he is.He doesn’t know what he is.But something inside him does.And it’s waking up.In a world ruled by strength and deception, what happens when the greatest threat is the truth buried within you?And what will you do when you find out your world is nothing but a tiny piece, a fragment of a greater universe you never were prepared for, one that wishes for your extinction?
Billions have perished, leaving only a few million survivors.After his death, Eric is summoned to another world that has been nearly destroyed by corruption.The gods’ influence has all but vanished, and it is up to him to rally the remaining survivors, reclaim the land they lost, and restore the gods’ cathedrals.In doing so, he grows stronger, inching closer to awakening the gods from their eternal slumber.Time is running out.Not only are unimaginable abominations preparing to strike, but Eric faces a deadly challenge from within.His system, a mysterious force aiding him, comes with a dire warning:[WARNING][Each time the system responds, it consumes host essence. When essence runs out, the host’s soul will perish along with the system.][Recommendation: Communicate only when absolutely necessary.][Current essence: 940][1 essence = 1 word generated by the system.][Choose your next words wisely.]
A ritual gone wrong gave him the world's deadliest Class—now all he wants is blood.Zeth stole the most powerful ritual magic in the world from a mad cultist. A Class that's fueled by the blood of his enemies and human sacrifice. One that's illegal to use, punishable by gruesome death. And now that he has it, he's faced with a choice: hide away for the rest of his life from those who would hunt him down, or embrace the power, becoming the hunter to get revenge on the murderer that stole his friends' lives.For Zeth, that's no choice at all.His enemies have to die. And he plans to use every drop of blood, eldritch ritual, and demonic summoning he can to kill them.
[Warning! The MC here is the literal incarnation of evil and madness throughout the story.]Valtar Titanblood formerly known as Ethan Martin on Earth was struck by an unimaginable tragedy and took his own life at the end, his whole life filled with misery and incompetence of his own doing.Then he transmigrates to a world of infinite proportions and power that defies logic, this new world which is filled with Dragons, Titans, Ouroboros, and countless more bloodline creatures and mythical beings, also powerful humans who are known as Mystic roams here as well.Valtar in this new world has the Karma System and the bloodline of an unknown titan running through his veins, with these powers in hand he who was supposed to become the symbol of justice and equality decided to become the paragon of madness and evil.He who had the tools to become the Judge of Truth and the figure of Respect chose to become the arbiter of chaos and the embodiment of fear.
Kim Taejune, wanted to be a “hero,” a “savior” to all the weak. After reading books about them, he too wanted to be one. Yet he lacked power, he didn't have any skills, and the command system everyone else had but one day, his dream will come true. His path leads him to encounter Yoon Harin a woman who after the death of her twin younger brother Yoon Jiho was transmigrated into his novel, “Calamity Hunter” the “god” of this world makes a deal with Yoon Harin to bring her brother back to life IF she can survive as a savior till the end.
Nanzhi only thought she had traveled into a novel about raising a child. Relying on her many years of “Wilderness Survival” watching experience, she hunts rabbits up the mountain for grilling every day, gropes for fish in the river to make soup, and diligently raises the child. Just when she thought her life was finally looking up and she could have her “second spring”, the “husband” who was rumored to have died hundreds of times suddenly appeared. Wait a second!She seems to have ended up in a novel where the male lead is the main character!Nanzhi? Isn't that the cannon fodder and deposed wife?PS: Not a web novel about farming, the female lead doesn't have a golden finger space system. Just turned eighteen and got into university, not a novel about a powerful female protagonist.
The Last Touched is a haunting fantasy of bloodlines, broken fate, and the perilous cost of power.Elsbeth MoonChild is the last of the touched—the final descendant of a cursed lineage bound to the flame. As Alpha of the shattered 12th pack, she bears the ruin left by her father’s crime: the murder of the queen. Branded by his betrayal, hunted by her former chosen mate, and driven into exile with the last of her people, Elsbeth has one desperate path forward—to survive, she must stake her claim in the Rite of Queens, an ancient trial that demands strength, sacrifice, and the will to rule.But the Rite does more than test her body and mind. It pulls her backward in time, submerging her into the forgotten life of her ancestor—the first queen. As memories bleed into dreams and dreams into waking, Elsbeth begins to unravel a long-buried truth: the flame in her blood is not just magic. It is a weapon. A curse. A gift once traded in blood and sacrifice to end an age of chaos.And she is not the only one who carries it.Julia, her estranged sister—exiled, fire-born, and half-mad with hunger—is no hybrid. She is the living echo of the power their bloodline tried to bury. Ruthless, charismatic, and driven by the belief that the throne was stolen from her, Julia is building a gospel of grievance and flame. Her army grows in the shadows, fed by secrets and stolen children. And with each ritual, the ancient seal weakens, waking something that was never meant to rise again.Torn between duty and desire, Elsbeth clings to the one thing that keeps her tethered—Fen, her true mate, a being older than he appears, hiding a divine truth of his own. Their bond runs deeper than fate, but it terrifies her. To surrender to it would mean choosing love over the kingdom. And if she falls too far, the flame inside her might burn her from within… just as it did her father.As old gods stir and the fire in her blood begins to answer the call of something watching from beneath the ice, Elsbeth must decide: will she become the queen her people need? Or the weapon her blood was meant to wield?