Novels by Deenah writes

I set the trap knowing it might cost me Kairos’s trust all over again.Varen met me in the lower corridor just after the second bell. His face was grim.“He took the bait,” he said. “General Rhelan left the eastern barracks twenty minutes ago. He is heading for the old wine cellars exactly like the message promised.”“You are sure no one followed him?”“I am sure. My men are watching the other exits. If this goes wrong we both burn for it.”“Then it will not go wrong.”We moved quickly through the servant passages. The cellars smelled of damp stone and old oak. A single oil lamp burned near the far wall. General Rhelan stood there with his back to us, speaking in a low voice to a shadow that was not a person.“She is getting harder to reach,” he said. “The emperor keeps her too close. If we wait much longer the rifts will take the city before we can feed them.”I stepped into the light. “Looking for me, General?”He spun. His hand went to his sword. Varen was already behind him with a

Selene walked back into the throne room like she owned the air we breathed.The court had gathered after the worst of the night attack. Smoke still clung to clothes and hair. People looked exhausted and afraid. I stood at Kairos’s side on the raised platform, my hand resting lightly on the arm of his chair. Every muscle in my body stayed tight.The doors opened. Selene entered alone. She looked different. Her skin held a faint dark shimmer, like something under it was moving. Her eyes glowed with the same wrong light I had seen in the creatures.Whispers started immediately.Kairos rose slowly. “You disappeared during the attack. Explain yourself.”Selene smiled. It did not reach her eyes. “I was working to save this empire, my emperor. I found a way to close one of the smaller rifts. The one threatening the eastern farms.”“Speak clearly.”“The rift responds to phoenix blood.” Her gaze slid to me and stayed there. “Her blood. A small amount would be enough. I can perform the sealing

The capital was already screaming when we rode through the gates.Smoke rose from the outer districts in thick black columns. Bells rang without stopping. People ran through the streets with children clutched in their arms and whatever they could carry. I kept close to Kairos as we pushed through the chaos toward the main wall. His face was set like stone but his hand stayed locked around mine until we reached the base of the stairs.A captain met us there, face streaked with dirt and blood, breathing hard.“My emperor, they hit the eastern section first. The creatures are climbing the walls. We are losing men too fast.”Kairos’s voice came out hard and flat. “How many breaches?”“Two small ones so far. We sealed them but more are coming. The main force is still approaching from the west.”I stepped forw

I chose the war over his order and I would do it again without hesitation.The sky was still dark when I left the palace. I wore a plain soldier’s cloak and boots that were too big. A thin veil of phoenix fire wrapped around me so eyes slid past without stopping. I joined the middle of the marching column where dust and the noise of armor covered every small sound. Kairos rode far ahead. Even from that distance I could see the straight line of his back and the way he held the reins like he already knew the day would turn bloody. He believed I was safe behind high walls. That belief was the only reason I could slip away.The march stretched on. My legs burned. My heart refused to quiet. I kept the veil steady and my head down while soldiers around me complained about the early hour and the weight of their packs. None of them looked at me twice.Near midday a scout came galloping back so hard his horse

I could still feel the blade coming down every time he touched me.Morning light spilled across the bed but I had not slept. The vision from the night before sat behind my eyes like a brand. Kairos raising a sword. My own blood on the floor. His face above me. I kept my breathing even when he stirred beside me and reached for my waist.“You are quiet,” he said against my shoulder. “Too quiet.”I forced a soft smile and turned toward him. “Just tired. The dinner. Selene. Everything.”His hand slid up my side. “You pulled away from me last night. Twice. I felt it.”“I did not mean to.”“Yes you did.” He sat up and looked down at me. His voice stayed low but the edge was there. “Something changed after that moment in the hall. You looked at me like I was already holding a

I lied to him with the same mouth that still tasted like his kiss.Kairos had not let go of my arm since the garden. He dragged me back to our chambers, slammed the door, and stood there staring at the place where the wound should have been.“Talk,” he said.I kept my voice steady even though my pulse was wild. “The ritual woke something. Old magic. Phoenix blood, maybe. I do not fully understand it yet.”“Phoenix blood.” He repeated the words like they tasted wrong. “You expect me to believe that just appeared because I marked you?”“I expect you to believe what I am telling you right now. The bonding pulled it out of me. That is all I know.”His eyes searched my face. “You are still hiding pieces.”“I am telling you what I can.”&nbs