You’re staying with me, she told him. Begged him. Do you hear me? You’re staying right here.
Silence answered through their flickering bond.
Power discharged next to her, another portal opening. Serenna’s first thought—her hope—was that Lykor had sensed her distress and would help heal Fenn.
She blinked, her connection with Lykor telling her that rage still devoured him as he focused on his own battle. She had no idea how he fared against the horde of reavers. But he was alive and unharmed, beyond a minor pain in his shoulder.
Serenna’s heart lurched when a familiar pair of ragged boots stepped through the rift.
Time stopped and then tripped. Her breath abandoned her as she locked eyes with a sea of jade.
“Vesryn,” she whispered, a fresh sob swelling, breaking from her throat.
The prince was here, standing in front of her in his black leathers, glaives glinting over his shoulders. Essence whirled around him, a halo of light. A renewed wave of tears streamed down Serenna’s face as he shone like the sun. In that moment, he was the most breathtaking thing she’d ever seen—a sight she hadn’t expected.
And he was here. He’d come for her.
Serenna’s voice cracked through the storm of her tears. “You’re here.”
Vesryn kneeled beside her, resting a hand on her back. His brow furrowed with concern and then confusion, eyes darting as he processed her clutching Fenn’s twitching body.
Serenna’s bond with the prince overflowed with more emotions from him than she could track. A tempest of rage, a shower of surprise, a riot of relief.
And he… Serenna’s breath caught, sensing an emotion so strong, so bright—one she’d never discerned from him before.
“You came for me,” she repeated, convincing herself that Vesryn was real, struggling to force air back into her lungs. Serenna pried her gaze away from his, sending another web of mending into Fenn’s broken body. “You…” She squeezed her eyes shut, the scalding tears too much to bear. You love me. She felt it, undeniable warmth from the prince blooming in her chest.
Her head whipped back to Vesryn. He could portal Fenn to a mender. Better yet, he could bring one here. Jassyn could heal Fenn. Everything would be okay.
Serenna’s bursting heart screeched to a halt as reality smacked her in the face.
“You’re—you’re here.” She frantically glanced around, searching for Lykor.
Vesryn’s mouth opened, but she interrupted him with a shriek. “Get out of here!”
He recoiled. Serenna sensed his alarm and hurt through the bond. He hadn’t had time to analyze the mayhem he’d portaled into—he’d been so focused on her.
“Leave!” Serenna pushed him away, desperate to make him understand. “You’re in danger. Lykor is going to—”
What felt like a wave of lightning seared Serenna, frying her from the inside out. Body seizing, her perception flew down the bridge with Lykor.
His awareness had vanished. Aesar was nowhere in sight. A void met her, the iron fist of the coercion pulverizing his mind.
Serenna searched the streets, finding Lykor across the wreckage. Countless portals were open, the reavers… Every single one was gone.
Lykor’s rabid sight was aimed at Vesryn. Rending spilled out of him, a geyser, an uncontrolled tidal wave of a never-ending night.
Essence exploded through the cavern, chaotic like a dying star.
Serenna didn’t even have time to scream as a cataclysm of shadows erupted through the volcano, plunging the world into darkness.
THE STORY CONTINUES…
The Shadows of Stars releases in 2025.
Pre-order the ebook today!
THANK YOU FOR READING!
If you enjoyed The Chains of Fate, please consider helping other readers discover this series by leaving a review or a rating on Amazon or Goodreads. Independent authors appreciate word of mouth recommendations—we couldn’t spread awareness of our books without your help! Thank you again!
SPICE RACK
All of these chapters can be skipped without impacting the story beyond relationship building. Important plot points that may occur do come through in the following chapters.
Chapter 14- Full chapter intimate encounter
Chapter 19- Approximately the first 3/4 of the chapter is an intimate encounter
Chapter 45- Heavy sexual themes and environment, no intimate encounter between the main characters
Chapter 47- Full chapter intimate encounter
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
A huge thank you to every reader who has picked up an unfinished series from a debut author. Your support means the world and I’m so grateful for the time you’ve taken to read this story. I truly couldn’t do this without your support.
