Four Cardinal Virtues

"You'd look pretty rolling your eyes like that when I'm in your throat." ~ Marriage was never for love-it was for legacy. A strategy. A performance. And for the Lombardis and the Morettis, it was the most calculated, showstopping alliance of the century. Roman Moretti, Don of the La Cosa Nostra, and Angeline Lombardi, only daughter of the French-Italian Mafia Capo, had been betrothed since her birth --matched to unite two empires under one crown. Hidden from the world, Angeline was raised to be the perfect wife. Groomed. Silenced. Controlled. She learned early that one misstep would strip her of everything-including her name. Everyone's first mistake? They underestimated her. Though no one had ever seen her, the world assumed the Lombardi Princess was a polished doll. Quiet. Disposable. Roman saw the marriage as a formality-another calculated step toward total dominance. He had no plans to love her. No plans to live with her. Just a wife on paper, tucked away from him elsewhere, summoned when needed for appearances. But everything changed the moment he saw her walking down the aisle. She was perfection. Untouchable. She would be his ruin, his weakness, his obsession, his motivation. His everything. But what if that had been her plan all along? Not everything buried stays dead. Not every identity is what it seems. In a world where saints become monsters and monsters are worshipped like gods, Angeline must decide what's worth saving: her bloodline, her love, or herself. ~ -HEA -Mature scenes/18+ -Romance/mystery/thriller -No Cheating/OWD -DARK ROMANCE

This is not a stand-alone book. You have to have read book one: Flight of the cardinal. The last surviving member of the royal Cardinal family took flight after the uprising. Princess Cressida Cardinal–now living as Ida- spent the last ten years since the uprising in hiding. During her indenture as a maid in the Kestrel household, she found her fated mate Xander, and together they escaped the clutches of an angry Duke Kestrel, only to tumble into more turmoil. In book one, they uncovered a secret about Ida's heritage while searching for answers to explain her powerful magic. Ida is a hybrid. Part Faith and part magic wielder. This makes her a dangerous weapon that could unleash all hell on earth. But there is a sinister reason why no other hybrids exist. Osprey has now captured Ida and took her into custody within the very castle she used to call home. While in his care, Ida's life is turned upside down, leaving a bitter taste in her mouth. As Ida is imprisoned, Xander must hide and bide his time until he can rescue her. He cannot count on the support from the rebellion, as he suspects there is a traitor amongst them. This will cause Xander to embrace his Lycan legacy and set out to find loyal supporters in the last Lycan pack. Alas, time is short when he learns Ida has escaped and found the one who bound her as a child. Will he reach her in time and prevent Ida from losing herself with the torrent of power in her, or will the past repeat itself and bring their entire world into chaos, dooming all humans, shifters, and magic wielders alike? Find out in the last book of this series.

The uprising killed the royal Cardinal family. The Cardinals were magic wielders and had ruled for over five hundred years with an iron fist. Eventually, the humans waged war against wielders and shifters. They overthrew the crown, branding all non-human beings as Unnaturals and leaving them to fend for themselves in a broken world. Ida has spent those last ten years since the uprising sold from one household to another, never able to repay her indenture. The situation, although not ideal, has offered her a second chance at life. A life in hiding was better than no life at all, and she did not wish to suffer the same fate as others of her kind. Sold into the services of Duke Kestrel, she meets a seductive yet mysterious Lord Alexander. Already in his thirties, Xander cares very little for his title and responsibilities. He should have been married years ago, but no woman appears to please him. Many assume he is simply difficult, but not all is what it seems. Xander carries the weight of being a shifter, unable to find his mate in this new kingdom. After a chance meeting between them, Ida becomes overwhelmed by Alexander's mixed signals. She dares not succumb to her inner feelings. Letting Xander in would mean opening up about what she truly is, and she is determined to keep her past hidden. Xander, however, has other plans. He intends to get his mate by whatever means necessary. When both their lives intertwine by fate, a new quest emerges fraught with danger as they encounter all walks of life trying to tear them apart. Can their love survive, or is there a more sinister plot afoot?

Rencana awal liburan untuk bersenang diri, nyatanya liburan itu menjadi petaka bagi 2 keluarga. Hanya dalam jangka waktu 6 bulan saja, "Sanggar Seni Kenangan" menjadi tempat yang sangat membekas hingga menimbulkan sebuah trauma bagi beberapa orang di dalamnya. Apa yang terjadi di "Sanggar Seni Kenangan" hingga berubah menjadi tempat yang meninggalkan luka? Dan apa yang terjadi di liburan itu, hingga mampu merusak hubungan antara 2 keluarga sekaligus?

My childhood friend, whom I hadn’t contacted for years, kept calling nonstop during an important meeting. After the meeting, he spoke in a sharp tone. “Do you think you’re too big for your britches? I’m getting engaged and you’re not even coming back to help out. Do I have to invite you?” I was representing my country at an international scientific forum, so I could only decline politely. Unexpectedly, he turned all haughty. “Fine then. If you’re not coming back, then just send me a gift with four circles and I’ll let it slide. Four circles? Thinking he meant ten thousand with four zeroes, I immediately agreed. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you ten thousand dollars as a wedding gift.” “Ten grand? Who the hell are you kidding? “My wife is the eldest daughter of the Jeffersons, the most prestigious family in Cirrus. Only the most distinguished people are on the guest list. Seeing that we’re old friends, I’m letting you attend. It’s your great honor!” He cursed angrily and sent me the invitation. I was struck dumb the moment I opened it. My aloof ice queen of a wife, who kept strangers at bay, was locked in a passionate kiss with her arms wrapped around my childhood friend’s waist. “Four zeroes, huh? How about four wreaths?” My gaze darkened as I clutched my phone. Four funeral wreaths ought to count as four circles, too!

Negeri Limalora berada di ambang batas kehancurannya. Sekelompok pemuda pemudi di salah satu distrik mencoba menyelesaikan masalah tersebut setelah pria perak mengutus mereka untuk melakukan sebuah perjalanan berbahaya yang kelak akan menyelamatkan seisi negeri. Akankah mereka berhasil? Atau ada pihak lain yang menginvansi? Atau justru hancur sudah wilayah itu?

Aria was always treated like the maid at home, even unable to celebrate her eighteenth birthday like any other normal girl. She was bossed around and tormented by her stepsister, Sophie, while her mother always favored Sophie and harbored a deep hatred for Aria. After enduring abuse from her family and betrayal from her boyfriend, Aria completely broke down, only to be shocked when she discovered her hands transformed into wolf claws. It was not until Ethan, a man who claimed to be the executer of Aria’s father's estate, stormed into her life that Aria learned she was Alpha daughter of Nightclaw. Aria didn't want a wolf or a mate. But Aria didn't expect that she would be claimed by four mates...

Phoebe feels excluded and useless since she is constantly compared to her clever twin brother. The first annual shifting event at the Mystic Guardian Pack fails, and Phoebe is accused by her family. Until Phoebe learned that her brother Phoenix had been in an accident and was in a coma, she felt responsible. As a form of atonement, she must enroll in a special werewolf academy and disguise herself as Phoenix. In the midst of her four male sports friends, Phoebe experiences unexpected romantic moments. When the Moon Goddess chooses a different fate for Phoebe, the four's desires for her grow stronger. Will Phoebe be able to accept her mates?

My whole life, I’ve known there’s something different about me. I didn’t realize how different until four guys show up all claiming that they are destined to be my mates. They’re not human, and they say I’m not either. But if I’m not human then what am I? Now I’m forced to go to a school where I don’t belong and am reminded of it everyday. Creatures I never imagined were real that used to give me nightmares are everywhere I turn. The world that once existed is gone. Will anything ever be like it was again?

Eighteen-year-old Lyra never expected to fall for all four of her adoptive brothers. She definitely never expected the Moon Goddess to reject their bond at the mating ceremony. But when a mysterious girl with dark secrets arrives at their pack, Lyra discovers that some people will use blood magic to steal what they can’t earn. Now she’s fighting for her life, her love, and her very soul. Because some bonds are worth defying the gods for.