The Valerith Empire claims it is protected by holy saints. That’s funny, considering how disposable people are here.

I’m Lior Valen, second son of a Viscount—which is a polite way of saying I’m excess. Well dressed. Well educated and easily sacrificed. I also have a secret that would get me ruined if spoken aloud: I like men. 

I know this because I’ve lived once before, in a modern world where loving the wrong person didn’t come with a death sentence.

That experience taught me an important lesson.

Live quietly. Don’t stand out. Survive.

Unfortunately, a masquerade ball ruined my entire plan.

Because all terrible decisions are made at masquerade balls, someone suggested a game of truth and dare. I accepted a dare. I kissed a stranger. This was, in hindsight, a mistake.
Because the stranger was the Monster of the North.

Ruler of Skeldryn. Alleged executioner. A man rumored to kill anyone who touches him. I touched him. He did not kill me—which was unexpected. Instead, the monster became interested. Possessively so. He dragged me north, away from a lover who had already replaced me and a court that was more than happy to let me go.

I followed—not out of courage, loyalty, or love.
I followed because I enjoy being alive.

Now I’m in Skeldryn, where saints are unreachable and monsters are persistent, and I’m beginning to suspect that surviving his attention might require more than luck.
And possibly an exit strategy.

[Lior's POV — Deep in the Skeldryn Forest — Moments Later]


The leopard lowered its body. Muscles coiled beneath its pale fur like drawn steel. Its icy blue eyes never left me as the creature crept closer, one slow step at a time.


My heart hammered violently in my chest.


There was nowhere left to go; the beast's breath curled in pale mist as it exhaled through its nostrils.


The growl vibrated through the frozen air.


"No… please…" My fingers tightened helplessly around the bark of the tree behind me. My voice shook. "Don't come closer…"


The leopard tilted its head slightly; it studied me, and then—it moved, not slowly this time.


I flinched violently, squeezing my eyes shut as instinct took over. My arms rose weakly in front of my face.


I waited for the claws, for the teeth, for the pain, but nothing came. No tearing flesh, no crushing jaws.


Chapter 18 - The Escape