An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
A deadly forest, a world-ending relic, and two enemies forced into an alliance–will the sparks between them light their way, or burn their worlds to ash?
Clea Hart, a gifted healer and sheltered royal, becomes an outlaw the moment she steals the Deadlock Medallion—a dark relic intent on possessing anyone it touches. To protect mankind, she must destroy it, and that means returning home. The forest of Shambelin is the only obstacle standing in her way, but it’s a monster-infested labyrinth no human has crossed in years.
Ryson can change that. A haunted warrior with a past steeped in blood, he has his own reasons for being her guide, even if every instinct urges him to betray her. As they confront the deadly secrets of the forest–and the dangerous truths about themselves—Clea and Ryson must face a growing connection they can’t ignore.
The forest closes in, the Medallion’s power swells, and their bond only grows stronger. They have a chance at survival, but the truth is inescapable: they’re destined for each other, and destiny might be their greatest enemy yet.
* * * Throughout the day, he couldn’t help but notice the contrasts between them. She soiled her hands to heal, and he’d soiled his to kill. Yet her hand had found his so gently among the crowd, and she’d asked him to stay with her. He wondered how she would treat him if she knew how different they truly were. What would she do if she discovered how many lives he’d destroyed?
* * * “You claim to heal with your hands,” he whispered, “and you’d use them to wound me with such a tender gesture?”
She felt trapped between two intentions, no longer able to explain herself.
“I’m trying to save you,” she replied with a stifled breath.
The blade of his other hand traced over her collarbone and then her neck. She sucked in a breath and flattened her back against the column behind her. He’d only mimicked a version of her gesture, but she reacted as if it were his touch that caused pain.
“But who’s going to save you?” he asked, his eyes full of a pushing and pulling tide, yanking her forward and shoving her back as he whispered threats but kept his tone gentle.
An alternative cover edition for this ASIN can be found here.
A deadly forest, a world-ending relic, and two enemies forced into an alliance–will the sparks between them light their way, or burn their worlds to ash?
Clea Hart, a gifted healer and sheltered royal, becomes an outlaw the moment she steals the Deadlock Medallion—a dark relic intent on possessing anyone it touches. To protect mankind, she must destroy it, and that means returning home. The forest of Shambelin is the only obstacle standing in her way, but it’s a monster-infested labyrinth no human has crossed in years.
Ryson can change that. A haunted warrior with a past steeped in blood, he has his own reasons for being her guide, even if every instinct urges him to betray her. As they confront the deadly secrets of the forest–and the dangerous truths about themselves—Clea and Ryson must face a growing connection they can’t ignore.
The forest closes in, the Medallion’s power swells, and their bond only grows stronger. They have a chance at survival, but the truth is inescapable: they’re destined for each other, and destiny might be their greatest enemy yet.
* * * Throughout the day, he couldn’t help but notice the contrasts between them. She soiled her hands to heal, and he’d soiled his to kill. Yet her hand had found his so gently among the crowd, and she’d asked him to stay with her. He wondered how she would treat him if she knew how different they truly were. What would she do if she discovered how many lives he’d destroyed?
* * * “You claim to heal with your hands,” he whispered, “and you’d use them to wound me with such a tender gesture?”
She felt trapped between two intentions, no longer able to explain herself.
“I’m trying to save you,” she replied with a stifled breath.
The blade of his other hand traced over her collarbone and then her neck. She sucked in a breath and flattened her back against the column behind her. He’d only mimicked a version of her gesture, but she reacted as if it were his touch that caused pain.
“But who’s going to save you?” he asked, his eyes full of a pushing and pulling tide, yanking her forward and shoving her back as he whispered threats but kept his tone gentle.