True Love's Curse
Elara has survived the initial horrors of Nightroot Citadel, but her true trial has only just begun. No longer merely a tribute, she now finds herself inextricably bound to the court and to the enigmatic King of Monsters. As she secures her place within the shadow-drenched halls, she turns her focus to the one mystery that continues to haunt her: the man behind the crown.
Driven by a dangerous curiosity, Elara begins to peel back the layers of the King’s cold exterior. She discovers that his detachment is not a choice, but a prison - an ancient, soul-binding curse that renders him incapable of love. To draw closer to him is to risk more than just her heart; it is to challenge a magic that has defined his existence for centuries.
As the lines between ally and enemy blur, Elara must decide if she is willing to dismantle the very foundations of the King’s world to break his curse, or if the cost of loving a monster is a price neither of them can afford to pay.
This dark romantasy series features enemies-to-lovers tension and high-stakes court intrigue, perfect for readers who enjoy slow-burn romance set against dangerous, atmospheric worlds.
The dark depths of Velgrad were home to many creatures and many dark incantations. Dangerous shadows lurked in the alleyways and houses, waiting for victims and partners alike.
I couldn’t imagine such dark abysses from my park bench, surrounded as I was by children and parents. The sun shone through Perun’s leaves, casting the world in blessed light. The mud from all the rain had finally dried, leaving the streets a rutted causeway of gnarled traffic. People shouted, horses whinnied, and the city reverberated with life.
Still, the shadows of my mind couldn’t forget my last adventure only a few days before. I lifted my eyes to the great canopy that hung over the city, casting its heavy branches far and wide. A few yellowed branches dotted the otherwise green landscape, stark reminders of my conversation with the king.
Davian had told me I was Perun’s only hope. I prayed I’d have enough time to practice my magic before that was put to the test again.
“Miss Ellie? Miss Ellie!”
I shook off the cobwebs and returned my attention to my little crowd. “I’m sorry. What was that?”
A girl held out her finger to me, a speck of blood dotting the tip. “I poked myself with a stick. Can you fix it?”
I laughed and grasped her finger. “Of course.”
I pecked a kiss on the end. The wound healed within moments. “There you go.”
The girl turned her finger to herself, gawking at the healed flesh. “It’s gone!”
“Of course it’s gone,” one of the boys near me piped up. One of Pim’s floppy ears hung down at the tip, while his nose twitched in irritation. “She can heal anything.”
“Well, let’s not jump to conclusions,” I scolded him as my imagination conjured up images of the worst kind of wounds. “Let’s just say I can probably handle almost anything that happens in this park.”
“Excuse me.”
The sharp voice interjected itself into the light conversation, cutting through the merriment like a funeral through a party. All eyes fell on a tall man in a dark uniform. The smooth surface of his well-polished buttons revealed the reflection of my confused and curious face.
The man’s sharp eyes darted over us before settling on me. “I was informed there was someone in this park offering free medical services. Is that you?”
My heart trembled a little, but I nodded. “I suppose that’s true.”
The man held out his hand to me. “May I see your license?”
I blinked at him. “License? For what?”
“For practicing medicine. All medical providers are required to hold a license.”
The eager looks on the faces around me fell off, replaced by apprehension as their eyes flickered to one another.
I rallied my courage, but kept a smile on my lips. “But I’m not practicing medicine. This is my magic.”
The man shook his head, his fingers beckoning to me. “That doesn’t matter. Everyone must have a license to practice the healing arts. Now may I have yours?”
“But I don’t have one.”
A ripple of murmurs rolled through the crowd, their nervous expressions hardening into open hostility.
One of the mothers grasped her son’s shoulders and turned him away. “Come along, Finn. We have to go.”
“But Mom, what about my elbow?”
“We’ll get you fixed at a doctor.”
Others broke away, fleeing my unlicensed hands until I was left alone with my interrogator. He drew out a pad and pencil, scribbling for a few moments before he tore the top page away. The man held out the paper to me, his face a picture of resigned irritation.
“This is yours.”
I accepted the paper and studied its contents. My heart sank. “A fine?”
“Sorry, miss,” he apologized as he tucked away his tools of the trade. “I’m just doing my job.” He strolled off, a whistle on his lips and his heart unburdened by care.
I stared dumbly at the ticket. The price at the bottom made my breath catch in my throat. “Three silver pieces?”
Doro leaped off my shoulder, startled by my sudden cry. He chirped and flew about my head.
“I’m sorry,” I told him as I forlornly shook my head. “I just…I don’t even have a bronze coin, much less this much. And what about, well-” My eyes darted around the area before I lowered my voice to a whisper. “What about the you-know-what?” I raised my right arm to emphasize my point.
Doro landed on my arm, facing me with his chest stuck out. He slammed his tiny foot on my arm and sharply chirped.
I laughed. “I suppose all I can do is get a license, right?”
Doro hopped up and down, flapping his wings.
“Well, then, what am I doing sitting around here for?”
I stood and tucked the bill into my pocket. There was nothing to it. I would have to find out how to acquire a license.
And I knew just the man to help me.
