6511 Book(s) Related to playing in the dark summary

I fled the hotel room in a panic, leaving only a cheap necklace behind. I had just spent the night with William Ford, the city’s most ruthless billionaire CEO.

My sister, the "real" daughter of my wealthy adoptive family, found the necklace. She stole my secret, claimed she was the woman from that night, and proudly paraded around as his new girlfriend.

She had already taken my parents and my fiancé. Now, she wanted to crush me at work, ordering me to step aside while she played the future Mrs. Ford.

"Don't even think about stealing him, Wendy. You're just a fake," she sneered.

She thought she had won. But she didn't know that William had already seen the unique birthmark on my shoulder.

Later that night, as my sister planned her grand engagement, the terrifying CEO pinned me against his office door. His cold eyes melted into fiery obsession as his husky voice brushed my ear.

"How much longer are you going to let her play my girlfriend, my little runaway?"

Aurora Calloway was the wife no one knew existed, trapped in a marriage where love was a distant illusion. But when betrayal cuts too deep, the life she thought she had unravels, forcing her into a battle she never saw coming.

Sophie Patterson. Don't you dare walk away from me." Logan's menacing stare bore at me. I suddenly didn't feel drunk anymore.

I sobered up quickly. "What, Logan? You're gonna tell me that you suddenly love me again? That you're here to sweep me off my feet? Please! I didn't need you all this time, and I don't need you now." He clenched his jaw, fisting his hands.

"Enough. Stop being so damn stubborn. You know I do. I love you. I never stopped loving you, Sophie. It was always you."

I left my hometown hoping to never see him again. I left with his baby still inside of me. Seven years after, and here I am again. Standing before him and a six-year-old wanting to know who his dad is, and asking me to marry him because everyone in his class but him and his best friend don't have a daddy. What am I supposed to do with all these feelings that are resurfacing? I'm realizing every day that I never got over him. I merely suppressed my feelings, and him telling me this now- in my face, just made things more complicated. This is book 2 of Loathing Logan.

Stolen as a child by the Finnish Mafia, Ivy grew up never knowing she was the lost daughter of Britain’s most feared crime family. When they finally find her, they welcome her home with open arms… and a plan. To secure her future—and their power—they arrange her marriage to the ruthless Don of the Italian mob.

Ivy tries to build a life inside a world she never chose. But betrayal cuts deeper than any blade when she discovers her new husband is secretly involved with her foster sister. Heartbroken and desperate to escape, Ivy runs—only to die in a tragic accident.

Then she wakes up.

She’s back on the day her parents announce her engagement. Same room. Same people. Same fate waiting to swallow her whole.

This time, Ivy has one chance to rewrite everything.
Will she break the chains of her past… or walk willingly into the nightmare that destroyed her?

“Did I not make you a promise?”
King Evander asked, ripping her dress off, leaving it hanging around her waist, exposing her full breast.

“I was going to make you my queen, but you are begging to be my bed slave instead,” he said angrily, grabbing a hand full of breasts, squeezing hard, making her flinch.

WARNING This story will contain Strong Sexual Content, and Scenes that may be triggering, Viewer discretion is advised.

Five years, a hundred betrayals, and one altar too many.
When Crown Prince Dorian Ashveil abandons Mira Vayne at the altar for the last time — rushing to her stepsister Vivienne’s side instead of staying for their vows — Mira does the one thing no one sees coming. She calls the wedding off, walks away from everything she built for a man who never truly chose her, and goes home to honour the arranged binding her father set in motion years ago.
A binding that delivers her to Caelum Draveth. The Ashen Dragon. Lord of the Draveth Ranges and the most feared creature in the known realm.
Their union is sealed in ancient fire and old law. It is political and necessary. That is, until fate and a rising war decide otherwise.
Now with a prince determined to reclaim what he carelessly threw away, the shadow armies of the Vreth massing at the northern borders, and a conspiracy of treason and dark magic woven by her own blood, Mira must choose between her heart, her duty and her survival.
Some choices, once made in fire, cannot be undone.

Carina is the Soul, one of the last members of a perishing race chased across space in search of a refuge.
Ishaan is a planetary councilor, tasked with the examination of the new species.
But when sparks fly between them and the evil finds them, what choice will they make to save everything?
Love in an Open Hand is created by Mia Davis, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

Ruth is a beautiful she-wolf who has had premonitory dreams all her life about an ancient vampire curse that would come to her lands and destroy everyone unless she married a man with the blood of a famous painter, Vincent Van Gogh. But the painter has died without leaving any descendants.

One night, Ruth dreams about the angel Ashtar, and Ashtar reveals to her in her dreams and performs spiritual healings to free her from being tormented by her premonitions.

Ashtar finally tells her that she is ready to meet the Angel Ashtar in this life. He gives her an unknown address, where she must leave all fears behind and dance with the wolves under the moon, and among those wolves, she will find the reincarnated soul of Vincent Van Gogh. With this union, they will be able to destroy the curse when the vampires invade.

Ruth uses her wealth to make a positive impact on the world. She is the daughter of the Alpha King, a beautiful and rich princess. One day, Ruth takes a path through the forest, connected with nature and practicing her spirituality, she has a dream, she dreams of the angel Ashtar. However, her practices are suddenly interrupted when she is kidnapped by a mysterious Alpha werewolf, Leon, who needs to receive a reward for kidnapping the princess. What Ruth doesn't expect is to end up falling in love with her kidnapper. Your relationship will grow based on trust and the certainty of your connection with the Universe. Until the Angel Ashtar comes to earth and tells Ruth which path she should take.

Childhood sweethearts, Ethan and Lily have always harbored secret affection for one another. Yet, misunderstandings lead each to believe the other's heart belongs to another. They spent three years in a loveless marriage. When a sudden car accident jolts their realities, the thought of a life without Lily serves as a catalyst for Ethan to confront his fears and fight for the love he's always desired.

Engaged since before they were born, James and Sophia were considered the perfect match. When Sophia's family went bankrupt, everyone expected James to cancel the engagement, but he didn't. They got married. James's distant demeanor created a chasm between them. Receiving pictures of him kissing another woman became the breaking point for Sophia, prompting her to seek a divorce. Now James must find a way to win her heart or he would lose the only light in his life.

University power couple, Alexander and Isabella were torn apart by her father's manipulations, sacrificing their love for his future and safety--Isabella broke up with him. Years later, Alexander is no longer the poor boy that could be dismissed. He owns a successful law firm, while Isabella's family faces financial ruin. In a desperate move, her father arranges her marriage to Alexander, thrusting them back into each other's lives. As Alexander initially bent on revenge finds out the truth of their breakup, and strives to rekindle their love, Isabella grapples with the feeling that she doesn't deserve him.

"Fill me up," Chole urged.
Immediately, he let out a loud moan and exploded his hot cum deep within her.
Liam withdrew his throbbing cock from her tight, soaked depths. He stroked himself a few times, watching in satisfaction as Chloe shuddered through the aftershocks of her intense orgasm. "You take my cock so well, baby girl." "I love feeling girls cum apart on my cock."
...
Chloe never thought she’d be fake-engaged to Liam Astor, the arrogant billionaire who once cost her job only with a single smirk.
But when life shoved her against a wall and her mother’s hospital bills left her gasping for air, she said yes to his money and rules. The rules are simple: pretend to be madly in love, wear his ring and never let him get too close.
But...Liam touches her like he owns her and he looks at her like he’s already undressed her. When he kisses her in front of the cameras, she forget they’re acting…
Chloe swore she wouldn’t fall, but in Liam's arms, her lies melt and suddenly, the contract means nothing, because the man she agreed to fake-love… might be the one she can’t live without.

“Spread for me, naughty girl,” Rex growled, with chocolate dripping from his fingers onto her throbbing clit...

Kira finds herself in a billionaire’s twisted paradise…pinned and fucked raw by her merciless stepfather who owns every scream she gives him… then devoured in forbidden, chocolate slicked ecstasy by his dangerously gorgeous son, Rex, who licks her clean and thrusts deeper than sin.

One explosive, body shaking orgasm…captured in a single damning photo…unleashes blackmail, abduction, and a trail of blood.

Mystery around her mother's death. A crazy stalker who wants her broken. And the empire built on lies is about to combust.

It's a world of raw lust, savage betrayal, and chocolate covered ruin.

Dive in and get filthy…

When Charlotte Lee settles for a marriage of convenience, she isn't expecting romance… until she begins to fall in love.   It's a truth universally acknowledged that you don't go after your best friend's boyfriend. Charlotte Lee is definitely not breaking that code, not even after her girlhood crush has been unceremoniously dumped by her bestie. Charlotte can't blame Collin for wanting to be a part of the Bennett family. It's been her secret wish ever since Eliza Bennet inconceivably picked her as her BFF. And now, finally, the life that Charlotte has always dreamed of is at her fingertips since she's a shoe-in for the job of head trainer on the Bennett’s horse ranch. But everything goes wrong when the job goes to someone else, leaving Charlotte in the lurch.   Some say Collin Hunsford doesn’t have a heart. Not true, as evidenced by his love for rehabilitating wounded race horses. The problem is he often puts horses before women, which probably accounts for his dating woes. Unfortunately, in order to afford to save the horses up for auction at the annual Pemberley Races, Collin needs to fulfill the terms of his inheritance and find a wife. Too bad Eliza rejects his marriage proposal before their third date gets underway. After giving it some logical thought, Collin determines her quiet friend Charlotte is likely the better choice.   For a woman who has few romantic choices and fewer career prospects, Charlotte has little choice but to accept Collin's offer. Besides, she's not betraying her best friend if Eliza never loved Collin. But if Charlotte can't crack Collin's stoic shield, she'll be in danger of losing not only her best friend, she'll be in danger of losing her heart to a man who might never admit his feelings. And for Collin, plain, shy Charlotte sparks unfamiliar emotions within him. Abandoning logic could result in the loss of his bid for the horses who need him, but keeping his heart closed off could risk the woman who makes it beat for the first time.   Get swept off your feet by this clean and wholesome, laugh out loud romantic comedy filled with sweet and swoony situations and a heartwarming happily-ever-after. In Want of a Wife is the first in a series of modern day Jane Austen retellings -set on a ranch!

My husband, Zachary, chose to save his sister-in-law right in front of the kidnappers.

The kidnapper pressed the gun to my temple and asked, "Choose your wife or your sister-in-law?"

Zachary didn't hesitate. "Let Valerie go," he said.

He actually chose to save his sister-in-law! In that moment, even the baby in my belly seemed to stop kicking.

Later, they locked me in the basement. Drugs to delay labor were pumped into my veins over and over. Zachary wanted to save the "firstborn son" status for his sister-in-law's child.

When warm blood finally soaked through my skirt, I dialed the number I knew by heart with shaking hands.

"Zachary," I whispered into the phone, "our child... can't wait any longer."

Amelia Dolivo has known her whole life that she would one day be the Alpha of her pack; thus making her the first female Alpha in history. The journey to get there has been long and full of hardships, but a true Alpha never backs down from a fight; a true Alpha never accepts defeat.

Whether it be enemies plotting in the shadows to bring her down, or her own soulmate who questions her very capabilities as a woman; Amelia will take them all head-on. She will show them all why you should never underestimate a woman.

A Queen Among Alphas is the first book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series, and to see how the overall story ends, I recommend reading the full series.
Here are the books in the series in reading order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under the A Queen Among Alphas book)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under the A Queen Among Alphas book)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - A Queen Among Tides Prequel Spin-off (coming soon)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (coming soon)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - A Queen Among Darkness spin-off (coming soon)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (short stories focused on side characters within this universe, exclusive to Ream)

Orenda was created by the God of Destruction to protect the people of the world from the shadow demons known as eyti that now plague it. For thousands of years, she - alongside her brother - fulfilled this sacred duty with ease...until now.

Never in her millennia did Orenda dream she would be blessed with a soulmate. She was even less prepared when her soulmate turned out to be none other than the creator of the very beings she was created to fight: the God of Malice, Azadou.

Azadou is cold, uncaring and has a deep hatred of the Gods. Everyone keeps telling her to stay far away and reject him, but like the pull of two opposing magnets, these two cosmic beings can't resist the draw to each other.

As Orenda puts her heart, soul and dignity on the line to win the heart of her destined half, a new and mysterious threat emerges... Something sinister is afoot, and it has big plans for Orenda.

Orenda will find herself in the most tempestuous fight of her life, with the stakes higher than anything she could have imagined. Will she come out victorious and achieve her happily ever after? Or find herself at the centre of a dark parable with no happy ending in sight?

A Queen Among Tempests is the 7th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.

For most, anime is just a hobby. For others, it is a sanctuary—the only escape from a harsh, disappointing, and often depressing reality. This is the story of a devoted fan, a "Shut-in NEET" who has turned their back on the real world to find life and meaning in the stories of 2D characters, manga, and games.
​But the lines between fiction and reality are about to vanish forever.

​When a mysterious Angel appears with a divine decree, our protagonist is plucked from their room and thrust into a literal Fantasy World. This isn't just a dream come true; it is a Mission. Given a second chance to truly live, they must now navigate a land filled with magic, peril, and wonder—armed only with the knowledge of countless anime tropes and a will to survive.
​Can a person who spent their life hiding in stories finally become the hero of their own? In a world where the stakes are real and the magic is dangerous, the ultimate challenge isn't just completing the mission—it’s learning how to finally belong.

​The story follows the life of a dedicated Anime fan (an Otaku) who feels disconnected from the harsh realities of the real world. Seeking an escape from depression and personal problems, the protagonist finds solace in anime and dreams of experiencing magical or extraordinary events. It explores the psychological boundary between fiction and reality, reflecting on people who isolate themselves to live within their imagination

Isolde’s life was full of love and joy. She was set to be High priestess of the makkari, but everything changed in a single night when she lost everything at the hands of someone she thought she could trust.

For centuries, she has been on the run, helping the supernatural community under the cloak of anonymity while she works to clear her name and save the very people after her from destruction.

Enemies are closing in, but an unexpected complication befalls her when she realises she’s been fated to someone who wants her species exterminated. After all, an evil chance seldom comes alone.

A Queen Among Darkness is the 4th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.

Books in the series in order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off (will be available under book 5)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off (will be available under book 4)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (side character short stories exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadow Series (Next Generation Coming Soon)

Yildiz was created by the Goddess Zarseti for one purpose: to uphold truth and justice in the supernatural world. Unlike her sisters, Yildiz came into being blind, but she sees beyond what others can.

For tens of thousands of years, she and her sisters continued their duties as the Delegation, but life just got more interesting for Yildiz. She learns her creator blessed her, of all people, with a soulmate – an unwilling soulmate at that.

Darkness surrounds this mystery man, but he is far more than he seems. Yildiz finds herself pushed away at every turn, but she's never been known to give up her pursuits.

Will she capture his heart and unravel his secrets? Or will she be consumed by the darkness and left heartbroken?

A Queen Among Blood is the 3rd book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends I recommend reading the full series. Here is the reading order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under the A Queen Among Alphas book)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under the A Queen Among Alphas book)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - A Queen Among Tides Prequel Spin-off (coming soon)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (coming soon)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - A Queen Among Darkness spin-off (coming soon)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (short stories focused on side characters, exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadows Next Gen series coming soon.

DEATH BY DESIRE is Book #4 in the #1 Bestselling Caribbean Murder series, following the FREE book DEATH BY HONEYMOON (#1), DEATH BY DIVORCE (#2) and DEATH BY MARRIAGE (#3). In the midst of gorgeous St. Bart’s, a few days before Christmas, a Senator’s daughter is found stabbed and strangled on the beach—the day after her engagement party. While the rich and famous are pouring in to celebrate the holidays, the local police are desperate to keep it quiet and not cause an uproar. But the Senator’s family wants justice for their daughter, and they hire Cindy and Mattheus to solve the crime. As Cindy and Mattheus investigate, they meet the elite crowd surrounding the Senator’s family, an exclusive world of unimaginable wealth, of luxurious parties on yachts and private villas. They learn of all the people who may have wanted the young woman dead, all the jealousies and rivalries, the secret ex-es and affairs. They meet her devastated fiancé, her twin sister and her distraught Mom—all intent on the killer’s being found. They meet the corrupt police force, who wants them stopped, and a rich Russian mogul who controls half the island—and has his own agenda to bring down the senator. As they delve deeper, they learn the many secrets of this exclusive family and the young woman, and discover that all was not as perfect as it appeared to be. As they get close to the answers, Cindy faces personal danger, while at the same time her relationship with Mattheus grows deeper—and faces a crisis of its own. And as the two of them are about to leave the island, a sudden twist in events changes everything. Ultimately, they come to learn that on the pristine, perfect St. Bart's, everything is not always as it seems to be. Books #5--#8 in the series are now also available!

Cindy and Mattheus, still reeling from Key West, unsure where their relationship stands, prepare to take some time away from each other—when a shocking call arrives. A beautiful bride is missing, the night before her destination wedding in the magnificent Cayman Islands. The groom, the last one to see her alive during their scuba diving outing, is the prime suspect.But the groom’s family insists he is innocent, and they hire Cindy and Mattheus to find out the truth. Cindy understands the pain of an ocean accident all too well, and the case strikes uncomfortably close to home, evoking memories of Clint at every turn. Police and Coast Guard search the sea and land, but the bride, Allie is nowhere to be found. Family, wedding party and guests have all been detained at their luxury hotel to be questioned. Was it an accident? Did the bride run away? Or has someone killed her? Who could have wanted her dead?As Cindy and Mattheus investigate and interview those at the celebration, we journey into the incredible wealth and opulence of the Islands and the lifestyle of those who have come down to celebrate the wedding and vacation there. As their relationships are exposed, we see the effects of wealth, greed, and intense jealousy, and how it runs their lives. We also meet Mac, a charismatic, suave partner in the firm who develops an attachment to Cindy, and Vivien, a gorgeous guest, who no man can resist. As Vivien goes after Mattheus, and Mac pursues Cindy, we watch Cindy and Mattheus’s relationship struggle and become infected by jealousy and suspicion as well.In a shocking turn of events, Cindy finds out more about Allie than anyone knew. And as the investigation takes a deadly turn, Cindy’s life is in danger, not once but twice. Once again, we see the forces of darkness try to undermine the search for truth. Will Cindy and Mattheus untangle the web of secrets among the rich and famous before it is too late?DEATH BY JEALOUSY is both a stand-alone novel, and is also Book #6 in the Caribbean Murder series, following DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), DEATH BY DIVORCE (Book #2) and DEATH BY MARRIAGE (Book #3), DEATH BY DESIRE (Book #4) and DEATH BY DECEIT (Book #5).

From the #1 Bestselling author of Death By Honeymoon, comes a new romance series....Nestled among trees and hills, set alongside a winding river, the small town of Tom’s River, Wisconsin, so beautiful and protected, is a place where everybody knows each other, a place where nothing ever changes and where people can feel safe. But one day, all that changes. Megan’s husband has gone missing, and no one can find him. As the search deepens, Megan discovers the truth not only about her husband, but also about the secrets he’s been hiding in their marriage. Her world is shook as she realizes she’s been living a lie, has been in a relationship with a man who’s been living a secret life, a man she never really knew. Some months after his disappearance, as the snows of winter melt, Hunter, a handsome, magnetic stranger, arrives in Tom’s River. A loner with a mysterious past, he is content with his solitary job at the lumber yard. But as a tornado ravages the town, he is destined to cross paths with Megan, as she seeks help to repair her damaged home. Once Hunter and Megan meet, nothing is ever the same again. As he repairs the roof that blew off her home, the two cannot hold back their feelings for each other. They fall madly in love. Yet Megan cannot, once again, live with a man who is keeping secrets from her: she needs Hunter to open up about who he is, about what he’s running from. And that is not something Hunter may be ready to do. As they face a crucial crossroads in their affair, a shocking and dramatic twist hits the town: one that will test their love, and will test the town. Nothing will be the same in Tom’s River again..

On the rugged, wild, eastern shore of Barbados, Cindy and Clint are enjoying their dream honeymoon, when paradise quickly turns into hell. Cindy finds her newly beloved taken away from her, drowned in a freak accident in the ocean. The local police are quick to declare it an accident, to insist that he was caught in a sudden riptide. But Cindy, left all alone, is not convinced.Cindy must return to her and Clint’s now-empty home in New York and face her in-laws, who never wanted Clint to marry her, and who did everything to make her engagement and wedding hell. She must deal with all of these women’s backbiting, gossiping and unspoken accusations, while she tries to get a handle on her own grief and to get clear on what really happened to Clint.Cindy is mailed an anonymous photo of a woman she had never met, addressed to Clint. As she tries to unravel the mysterious package, as she begins to dig deeper into Clint’s emails and files, she realizes how many secrets Clint had been hiding from his past. She realizes that she didn’t really know the man she loved. And she also realizes that Clint was murdered.She digs deeper, into the depths of Clint’s massive corporation, DGB oil, and as she starts to unearth information she shouldn’t, she goes too far. Soon her own life is in peril. On the run, she realizes that the only way to get answers, and to save her own life, is to return to where it all began: Barbados. As she heads into the dark underside of the island, into the heart of the local villages, she is shocked to discover what really happened to her husband on their honeymoon.But by then, it may already be too late.Books #2--#14 in the Caribbean Murder series (DEATH BY DIVORCE) are now also available!

After five years of bloody battles against the Xenomorphs, I've returned alive, bearing wounds and scars.

Five years ago, my wife Lisa and I fell in love in the military.

Just as Lisa became pregnant, I received a mandatory conscription order from my superior.

The Xenomorphs launched a massive attack. Despite my reluctance, I had to go.

Now the war is over. I've laid down my burden and returned home.

Standing in the dilapidated suburbs, I search for the wife I've wronged and the child I've never met.

WARNING: This an extremely dark romance.


Shivers raced through my spine at the dark, heated stares from them —the brothers I was about to pledge my body to.
“Sweetheart, you need to know what you are getting into by joining the game,” Blue's voice startled me.
I gulped as my eyes went to Fred's. His mouth went up in a smirk as his dark eyes roamed through my body.
Desires and fear took hold of me as I glanced around their 'play house'
I know what I'm signing up for by consenting to be their toy. Yet, I willingly took that step, to freedom, desire, and, worst of all —pain.


As a journalist, Bella was determined to be the best. She was always taking jobs discarded or termed 'impossible' by others.
However, she doesn't know what she signed up for when she agrees to interview the Christophos brothers —wealthy men who live in a spooky old castle.
She thought it would be effortless despite the number of journalists who had failed to get any info on the brothers until she stepped foot into the compound.
Unknown to the unsuspecting woman, she was in for a ride of her life with brothers who might not be as human as they seem…
The game is about to begin... And it's the survival of the fittest...

One mistake centuries ago left Lemuel cursed by the Goddess Merlos and forced to wander the earth granting the wishes of those who touch him. Lemuel was looking at an eternity of loneliness until his unexpected soulmate plucked him right out of the sea.

Shocked to find he's been bound in more ways than one to Sebastian, the future King to the Kingdom of Atlesper, Lemuel resists Sebastian's advances at every turn, believing this may be one pairing Goddess Zarseti got wrong.

Lemuel will have to face his past in hopes of starting a new future, but an overly flirtatious King is the least of his worries when he learns Sebastian's parents are convinced that a conniving usurper disguised as a curvy blonde, is the future king's true soulmate.

A Queen Among Tides is the 5th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.

Books in the series order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off (will be available under book 5)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off (will be available under book 4)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (side character short stories exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadow Series (Next Gen Coming Soon)

“THE SORCERER’S RING has all the ingredients for an instant success: plots, counterplots, mystery, valiant knights, and blossoming relationships replete with broken hearts, deception and betrayal. It will keep you entertained for hours, and will satisfy all ages. Recommended for the permanent library of all fantasy readers.” --Books and Movie Reviews, Roberto Mattos The #1 Bestseller! From #1 Bestselling author Morgan Rice comes the debut of a dazzling new fantasy series. A QUEST OF HEROES (BOOK #1 IN THE SORCERER’S RING) revolves around the epic coming of age story of one special boy, a 14 year old from a small village on the outskirts of the Kingdom of the Ring. The youngest of four, the least favorite of his father, hated by his brothers, Thorgrin senses he is different from the others. He dreams of becoming a great warrior, of joining the King’s men and protecting the Ring from the hordes of creatures on the other side of the Canyon. When he comes of age and is forbidden by his father to try out for the King’s Legion, he refuses to take no for an answer: he journeys out on his own, determined to force his way into King’s Court and be taken seriously. But King’s Court is rife with its own family dramas, power struggles, ambitions, jealousy, violence and betrayal. King MacGil must choose an heir from amongst his children, and the ancient Dynasty Sword, the source of all their power, still sits untouched, waiting for the chosen one to arrive. Thorgrin arrives as an outsider and battles to be accepted, and to join the King’s Legion. Thorgrin comes to learn he has mysterious powers he does not understand, that he has a special gift, and a special destiny. Against all odds he falls in love with the king’s daughter, and as their forbidden relationship blossoms, he discovers he has powerful rivals. As he struggles to make sense of his powers, the king’s sorcerer takes him under his wing and tells him of a mother he never knew, in a land far away, beyond the Canyon, beyond even the land of the Dragons. Before Thorgrin can venture out and become the warrior he yearns to be, he must complete his training. But this may be cut short, as he finds himself propelled into the center of royal plots and counterplots, ones that may threaten his love and bring him down—and the entire kingdom with him. With its sophisticated world-building and characterization, A QUEST OF HEROES is an epic tale of friends and lovers, of rivals and suitors, of knights and dragons, of intrigues and political machinations, of coming of age, of broken hearts, of deception, ambition and betrayal. It is a tale of honor and courage, of fate and destiny, of sorcery. It is a fantasy that brings us into a world we will never forget, and which will appeal to all ages and genders. It is 82,000 words. Books #2--#17 in the series are now also available! “[An] entertaining epic fantasy.” —Kirkus Reviews “The beginnings of something remarkable are there.” --San Francisco Book Review “Action-packed …. Rice's writing is solid and the premise intriguing.” --Publishers Weekly “A spirited fantasy ….Only the beginning of what promises to be an epic young adult series.” --Midwest Book Review

They called her the Omega.
Weak. Unworthy. A stain on the royal bloodline.

But they were wrong.

When Seraphine Vale’s family was branded as traitors by the man she had loved the most, she witnessed her father’s execution by beheading, her mother burned alive, and her siblings slaughtered under a fabricated decree. She was beaten, broken, dragged to the altar of Drakar: the mountain where maidens were offered to the ruthless dragon king; she was abandoned to die… or so they believed.

But Azrath, the dragon king who was feared by all, didn’t eat her. Instead, he pressed his mark into her skin, an old fire sigil that tied their destinies together. The same beast who had laid waste to kingdoms and haunted the living and the dead had, inexplicably, been captivated by her beauty. There was something in her anger, her stubborn strength and the wildness in her blood that drew him in and she couldn't explain why.

But Seraphine was not an ordinary omega like they perceived. She was the Lycan Queen, the last of her kind that remained even though she herself didn't know. Werewolves of her kind were feared, hunted, and underestimated until her power was unlocked by extreme rage.

Now she rises from the ashes, half-lycan queen, half-marked by dragon fire, with fire in her veins and vengeance in her heart. All the kingdoms that betrayed her, the man she once loved who slaughtered her family, and people who underestimated her will tremble before her wrath.

The moon rises red.
The dragon watches.
The Lycan Queen walks from ashes, fury, and fire. Ready to claim what was stolen, punish those who wronged her, and rewrite the fate of all kingdoms.

“Jaden Skye creates a set of characters that are very well developed, and makes you cheer for our heroine on every page. The environment and the overall description of scenes are superb, making you feel the suspense in the air the whole time.”--Books and Movie Reviews (Roberto Mattos) (re No Place to Die)NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE is book #4 in a new romantic suspense series by #1 bestselling author Jaden Skye, which begins with Book #1, NO PLACE TO DIE, a free download!When Tyron Barr, a rich, old tycoon confined to a wheelchair, is found dead at the bottom of his staircase, his stunning 32 year old wife is immediately suspect. But she protests her innocence—and calls Olivia and Wayne in to prove it.In a world where nothing is as it seems, a world of incredible wealth and charm, of intense greed and jealousy, loneliness and secrets, Olivia discovers, lurk behind the scenes. Perhaps just enough to murder someone.Is the young wife playing Olivia? Or did someone else want him dead?NO PLACE FOR MARRIAGE is book #4 in an explosive new romantic suspense series filled with love, tragedy, heartbreak, betrayal and suspense, one that will leave you turning pages late into the night. Book #5 will be released soon.Jaden is also author of the #1 Bestselling series MURDER IN THE CARIBBEAN, which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1), a free download with over 200 five star reviews!

DEATH BY TEMPTATION is Book #14 in the #1 Bestselling Caribbean Murder series, which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)—a free download! It is also a stand-alone novel.In DEATH BY TEMPTATION, Cindy and Mattheus arrive for a vacation at St. Lucia. The island has been recommended by Mattheus’s friend Rod, whose daughter is honeymooning there. But when Rod’s daughter, Kara, suddenly goes missing after going for a swim alone one afternoon, a frantic search grips the island. Swept up in the horror, Cindy and Mattheus immediately join in. When Kara’s overbearing father, Rod, arrives at the island, Matheus is torn away from the case to comfort his friend. And when the dead body of another young woman turns up a few days later at the same beach, Cindy is convinced the cases are connected. Alone, Cindy delves deeper into the investigation, but what she may find, is what she may never suspect…

Death by Seduction (Book #13 in the Caribbean Murder series)

DEATH BY DEVOTION is Book #9 in the Bestselling Caribbean Murder series, which begins with the free book DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)--a #1 Bestseller with over 100 five star reviews on Amazon! Before they get engaged, Cindy urges Mattheus to meet his long-lost Caribbean daughter, whom he has never met. Sixteen years ago, after a one night stand, the woman became pregnant, and Mattheus quickly left. Mattheus’ beautiful, volatile, fifteen year old daughter, Andrea, badly needs him, and she wants him to come to Anguilla, where she lives, so they can get to know each other. One caveat, though: he has to come without Cindy. Andrea has a mother, and one mother is enough. Mattheus feels his daughter is in trouble, feels compelled to go, and abruptly leaves Cindy behind. Convinced that her relationship with Mattheus is over, Cindy returns to the States, ready to start her life again. A few days after she gets back, amidst the excitement and a wonderful job offer, she receives a startling call from Mattheus down in Anguilla: Andrea’s stepfather has been killed and Andrea was found beside him, covered in his blood. Mattheus, desperate, begs Cindy to come down and help. Not only has his daughter been taken into custody—but now he is a suspect as well. Unable to say no, Cindy returns to the Caribbean to help find the true killer and to attempt to free both Mattheus and his daughter—but she soon finds that she’s up against an underground web of danger on the island, and it may be too late to save all of them—including herself. DEATH BY DEVOTION is both a stand-alone novel, and is also Book #9 in the Caribbean Murder series.

DEATH BY ENGAGEMENT is Book #12 in the #1 Bestselling Caribbean Murder series, which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)—a free download! It is also a standalone novel.In Death by Engagement (Book #12 of the Caribbean Murder Series), Cindy and Mattheus joyously head to Aruba to search for a wedding venue for their destination wedding. Thrilled, they enter the magical, romantic world of wedding planning and along the way, meet another recently engaged couple, also looking for a place to be wed. But the beauty of Cindy and Mattheus’s time together is suddenly interrupted, when they learn that the young woman they had just met has plunged to her death at a nearby cliff.Although she left a suicide note, the girl’s devastated father refuses to believe she took her own life. He begs Cindy and Mattheus to investigate and see if foul play was at work. Although Mattheus refuses, Cindy is compelled to give it a chance, a decision which causes increasing tension in Cindy and Mattheus’s relationship, and which brings out aspects of each of them never seen before.As Cindy explores the inner workings of the young woman’s life and family, many shocking surprises also take place in her relationship with Mattheus. Not only does Cindy have to remain strong and persistent in uncovering the cause of the death, she must go through many personal changes to deal with what’s happening in her own life.A surprise end on all fronts turns all expectations upside down.

DEATH BY BETRAYAL is Book #10 in the #1 Bestselling Caribbean Murder series, which begins with DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1)--a FREE download on Amazon! Cindy and Mattheus part ways, and while he stays in the Caribbean to protect his daughter and her mother, she returns home. Cindy’s sister, Ann, meets her at the airport to welcome her back to this new chapter of her life. Cindy starts to settle back in, to meet old friends and make plans to take on a new job—when a shocking call suddenly comes. It is a call Cindy never could have expected in her wildest dreams, a call that rips her world apart. Someone close to her—too close—has been found murdered in Bermuda. Cindy has no choice but to get on the next plane to Bermuda and hunt for the killer. Before long, Cindy finds herself enmeshed in an underworld of big business and crime. Beside herself, hitting dead ends, Cindy is forced to call Mattheus to help. Once again, their stormy relationship deepens and takes a new turn, as they plunge into solving this crime together. But it all may be too late….

When an old friend’s husband goes missing, she calls Cindy for help. Fresh from her own tragedy, Cindy returns to the Caribbean, this time to the gorgeous, lush island of Grenada, to find him.Cindy, still grieving her own husband’s death, stays at her friend’s incredible villa on the ocean, as she does her best to help track down her friend’s husband, Ames. As Cindy investigates, she meets the different characters on the island, some local, some fantastically rich, all of whom seem to be involved with each other, either romantically or in shady business dealings. As Cindy uncovers secret affairs, odd money dealings and drugs, she realizes there is a complex web on the island, hidden from public view. And as she digs deeper into Ames’ life, she is shocked to discover how many secrets he had been hiding from his wife—and that she never really knew the man she loved. The police at first refuse to take her seriously, but they soon gain respect for her tough intelligence, courage and determination. Cindy’s relationship with one cop in particular, Mattheus, develops in unexpected ways, as they give each other solace from their losses.But Cindy digs too deep. Soon, she finds her own life in peril, as she heads into the dark underside of the island. Startling developments in the investigation lead to a shocking ending, as a body is discovered, and Cindy alone must find out if they’ve convicted the wrong person…DEATH BY DIVORCE is Book #2 in the Caribbean Murder series, following DEATH BY HONEYMOON (Book #1).Book #3 in the series--DEATH BY MARRIAGE--and Book #4 in the series--DEATH BY DESIRE--are now also available.

When 23-year-old Halo Quincy is adopted into the glamorous, icy world of the Wolfe family, he never expected to come face-to-face with Lucian Wolfe—the elusive billionaire widower and the man from a one-night stand he never forgot.
Lucian doesn’t remember him.
Lucian doesn’t want him.
Lucian certainly doesn’t love him.
But none of that stops Halo from breaking the one rule that should have kept him safe: Don’t fall for the billionaire.
What starts as an obsession turns into a messy mix of power, desire, and hidden truths. Then, Lucian’s younger brother,Joan, the famous model, comes into the picture with his own secret plan—he also wants Halo for himself. And everything Halo thought he wanted begins to fall apart.
Because love can be everything you dream of.
Or it can be the perfect trap.

In my last life, I risked everything to protect my fiancée, only for her to shove me into a horde of zombies with nothing but, "You owed David this."
When I got a second chance, I found myself back right before the rescue chopper took off at the start of the apocalypse.
As I watched her cling to the cabin door, refusing to leave because she was waiting for her ex, I stepped back without hesitation: respect, best wishes, stay together forever. This time, I'm done being the pathetic simp who gets played for a fool.
I snatched the top-tier crystal core first, awakened an apocalyptic-level power, and watched with a cold smile as the cheating couple turned on each other in the middle of a pile of corpses, stabbing and screaming in despair. When the end of the world comes, you deal with the bleeding hearts first—then you rise to godhood.

"Alpha supreme" Lucas called him softly, after letting out a deep breath. "Where are you headed, you have to tell me so I can help you" Lucas tried to persuade him, but Devon stood unmoving without uttering a word.
Devon let out a deep growl ready to move again, and Lucas was ready to follow him.
"Devon wait! Where are we headed?" Lucas asked again but wasn't expecting to get an answer from Devon.
"To see my mate"

Devon an alpha has always believed he was cursed by the moon goddess to be without a mate ,until he meets alice who doesn't believe in love ,she lives a quiet life after the untimely death of her parents ,her parents death is not all it seem ,what were they hiding ?
together devon and alice unravell shocking secrets that have been kept hidden for years ,while embracing the new found feelings ,LOVE

Valerie Lysander thought she already found her soulmate and love of her life Tate, until she walked in on him with her editor. Not only did Tate cheat on her, he ruined her career by exposing her one secret.
Her infertility.
Valerie took a break and decided to spend it with her parents when she caught the attention of the city's most ruthless Mafia billionaire Leonard Skavinski, who only wanted a mother for his kids. There's no way to say no to him, he gets what he wants. A contract marriage as an escape from her Ex and her shame, she embraced the new life and an opportunity to be the mother of Leonard's children with all it gives. What she didn't expect was the brutal reality that she married a mafia devil himself.
What next when Valerie wants to be more than just Mrs Skavinski in name only? Is being a mother to Leonard's kids enough for her in the marriage without her husband's love? What happens when the line between love and lust blurs?
Will she be emotionally okay when her husband confesses he's still very much interested in his ex-wife?

Veda Ahuja is a strikingly beautiful and intelligent woman, known for her feisty spirit, Strongwill and kind heart. With her warm personality and sharp mind, she's the kind of person everyone wants to be around. But for five years, her life has been overshadowed by the unrelenting gaze of one man.

Varun Sengar.

A warlord feared by many, desired by all, and ruled by none-except his obsession with Veda. Handsome, enigmatic, and utterly ruthless, Varun is a man of few words but overwhelming power. Despite the countless women vying for his attention, his heart beats solely for Veda, a love so consuming it borders on madness.

For five long years, Varun has stalked her every move, driven by an obsession that defies reason. His fixation has grown so intense that only his closest confidants know the depths of his madness, resorting to extreme measures to calm his dark rages.

But Veda wants nothing to do with him. When she got to know his family world, She now know what lies behind his striking looks and quiet demeanor-a dangerous man with blood on his hands, a man who lives by no rules but his own. Yet Varun's obsession is unyielding, threatening to ensnare Veda in a world of danger and desire she desperately wants to escape.

As their lives continue to collide, Veda must navigate the suffocating web of Varun's obsession while fighting to maintain her freedom. But how long can she resist the pull of a man who is willing to destroy anything-and anyone-to make her his?

"BREAKING NEWS: HOT BILLIONAIRE, TYLER SCHNEIDER’S FLASH MARRIAGE WITH A MYSTERIOUS WOMAN IN LAS VEGAS!

A failed proposal for him and a series of Mimosa for her led them to a wild lustful night in Sin City.

Tyler Schneider, a hot-headed billionaire, and Chloe Myers, an ambitious career woman, woke up naked and trapped in a piece of paper called ‘MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE’.

In just one night, Chloe Myers became Chloe Schneider.

“What’s there to lose? You get to be in bed with a hot rich guy like me, and I get to claim my inheritance. It’s a win-win situation,” oozing with annoying confidence, he pronounced as if marriage was just a game.

A contract, an agreement, a negotiation between them.
Will Chloe continue this accidental marriage? Or sign the divorce paper?

Which name befits her more, is it, Miss Myers or Mrs. Schneider?"

In retaliation, the president imprisoned her and everyone blamed her for not seducing her president's brother-in-law, but no one knew that the president had fallen in love with her when she was still young. When the president began to change day by day, he suddenly realized that he had fallen in love with his sister-in-law, and what should he do with his wife who had returned from disappearance? Confusing relationship, complicated feelings, perhaps all this should not have started...

Lust.

One of the seven deadly sins.

A sin that rooted itself inside one's core, all consuming like a raging flame until the ashes were the only remnant of the soul that was left. It destroyed, it broke- but fuck! It felt way too good, way too heavenly, to not let herself indulge into this beautiful disaster.

Lust is a sin Stella Williams was willing to burn for, burn into.

Stella Williams lusts for her Husband's Brother and vice versa...

Read this tale of forbbiden romance between the girl named Stella and the guy named Kevin Williams.

Ex-Army Ranger Ethan Hayes carries a secret he’s determined to keep buried—a tragic past he can’t outrun. After losing his wife and children to the shadowy organization he was hunting, he’s left with nothing but nightmares. All he wants now is a distraction, something to occupy his restless mind and keep the memories at bay. What he doesn’t expect is the fiery, socially awkward bombshell he’s been hired to protect.

Carrie Johnson is desperate to escape her father’s overbearing grip in Chicago. Determined to prove she can live life on her own terms, she flees to the small, quiet town of Harbor Springs. But freedom is short-lived when her father’s influence follows her in the form of Ethan Hayes—the most infuriatingly attractive man she’s ever met. At first, Ethan sees her as nothing more than a spoiled brat, but after a magical, unexpected kiss, he’s struggling to resist her charms.

When Carrie’s car is vandalized, her modeling career is sabotaged by a vengeful ex-boyfriend, and her father leaves for Tokyo, she’s forced to rely on the very man she swore she didn’t need. Meanwhile, Ethan begins to realize Carrie might just be what he’s been missing all along—a reason to hope, to heal, and maybe even to love again.

As their connection deepens, ghosts from both their pasts resurface, threatening the fragile bond they’ve built. But Ethan and Carrie refuse to let their fears win. Together, they’ll fight for the future they’ve only dared to dream of—no matter what it costs.

Love, danger, and second chances collide in this sizzling romance about healing, trust, and the power of a love worth fighting for.

Five yeas ago, we were hosting a family dinner when I walked into the study and found my father with his mistress.

He looked at me, voice flat and cold: "Alice Russo, you don't tell your mother about this. Trust me, you can't handle the fallout."

I didn't listen. Ran straight to my mother in tears and told her everything.

That night, Mother had her people remove the woman from the property.

The next morning, the woman's daughter Anya ran my mother down with her car at the docks.

That's when I realized, I was completely alone. Because my dad is taking his bastard daughter's side.

I called Victor Castro, my husband, 99 times. He never answered once.

I had a breakdown at the family tribunal. They physically removed me and had me committed to a psychiatric facility in Sicily, the worst kind of place you can imagine.

Five years later, Victor finally spoke to me.

The transport stopped outside the facility that day. Sunlight hit my eyes.

Two guards helped me to the car. My father stood there with a line of his men behind him.

In the crowd, I recognized Peter Thompson, one of my mother's most loyal people.

He gave me the smallest nod. Something flickered in his eyes.

I kept my expression neutral and got in the car.

The door closed. Victor sat across from me.

He lit a cigar and said it without any preamble:

"The day Anya ran your mother down at the docks? I paid for her legal team. I provided the witnesses. I signed the autopsy report myself."

I died in the tenth year of our marriage. Not from illness, but from thirty-six hundred days of silent cruelty and penance.

Ten years ago, during that avalanche, he grabbed my hand at the last second. The girl he loved got buried under all that snow.

After that, even breathing felt like a crime.

He drank himself into oblivion, stayed out all night, and on the anniversary of her death, he'd wrap his hands around my throat and ask, "Why wasn't it you?"

I loved him for fifteen years, from childhood sweethearts to bitter strangers. I gave everything for even a hint of warmth from him. What I got instead was him shoving me down the stairs for her little sister.

When I open my eyes again, wind cuts through me and snow fills the air. I'm ten years in the past, back to that afternoon in the Alps.

This time, I'll give you what you want.

My fate was sealed the moment I stepped inside that school. A simple sentence, seven measly words that put a target on my back, was all it took to turn three years of my life into a nightmare.

Savaş Ewald became my tormentor and my nemesis without knowing a thing about me… or did he? How was I supposed to know, when I didn’t have a single memory of my past and no one willing to tell me anything?

I need Savaş in order to find out about my past, but he doesn't play by the rules. He trades answers for kisses, clues for pieces of myself, but how much of myself am I willing to give him in order to find out the truth?

The closer I get to finding out who I am, the more I realize Savaş Ewald will be my destruction.

Callum Brennan was born to lead London's most powerful werewolf pack. Then his twin brother framed him for murder.
Stripped of everything, Callum is thrown into the Rookeries, where packless wolves go to die. But he survives. He builds a pack from the broken and the damned. He falls in love with Valentina, a dhampir hunted by the same vampire Parliament that destroyed his life.
In a city ruled by immortal aristocrats and controlled by ancient dragons, Callum learns the hardest truth: individual virtue cannot defeat systemic evil. But small victories matter. And some fights are worth losing everything

Rowan Hayes was just another woman lost in the city—tired, broke, and invisible—until the day she threw herself in front of a van and saved a little girl’s life.

Now that girl, Emma Vance, refuses to let her go.
Her father, Asher Vance, refuses to let her stay.

With sharp suits, inked skin, and a voice that sounds like danger, Asher is the kind of man who gets what he wants—and never forgives what he doesn’t. He built his fortune on control and his reputation on fear. But Rowan Hayes makes him lose both.

As their worlds collide, the lies holding his empire together begin to crack. Emma’s mother isn’t dead. The truth is uglier—and far more dangerous—than anyone knows.

Caught between the child who trusts her and the man who tempts her, Rowan must decide whether love is worth the ruin that follows.

He’s power and poison. She’s the spark that might burn it all down.

Ravenshade: Blood Moon is more than just a story about vampires and wolves — it’s a dive into a dark, mysterious world where secrets whisper through the fog.
The town of Ravenshade lives under a constant veil of mist, where humans walk unaware of the shadows that watch them.

Selene Darkblood was born to lead an ancient vampire clan, but fate takes an unexpected turn when she meets Rael — a lone wolf haunted by his past and burdened with powers he barely understands.
Between them, something forbidden ignites: powerful, dangerous, and impossible to resist.

As their worlds collide, alliances are tested and the fragile peace between vampires and wolves begins to crumble. Under the crimson glow of the Blood Moon, the line between desire and destruction fades.

This is a story about choices, loyalty, and the courage to love when the world says you shouldn’t.
Welcome to Ravenshade — where blood, love, and destiny intertwine.

Five years ago, Leo, the overlord of the abyss who ruled the seven seas, went into hiding and worked as a cook in a dilapidated tavern to save his savior.
When his benefactor was captured by the empire and was about to be executed, the arrogant governor forced him to crawl between his legs in order to see him.
He did as instructed, but was then tricked.
That night, a bone conch shell resounded throughout the seven seas, thousands of ghost warships besieged the city, and the kings of the underworld knelt in unison.
The former "scale-scraping chef" broke through the palace gates, cut through his shackles with a single stroke, and embraced the beauty: "I'll take you home for grilled fish, it's on me."