Dominion has Nova's face and Reena's name-Cyrillius will use and kill them if they're caught. But being on the run in space isn't so bad, Nova's always wanted a different life, and she's got it now. It started with a rumor, that the Bahiri still exist-peaceful worshipers of the Nero and Neron. After what happened on Korpillion, Valen told Nova to find them, and to stay away from him. So that's where the wanted crew aboard The Corsair is headed, across the entire galaxy to the G sector. Nova wants answers about what she did and how it's possible. She's in denial. About what she might be. About where her heart lies. She knows Valen Nero is a bad man, so why is he the only one who fills the hollowness in her chest? Why does she ask him to keep his promise: I will come for you, Nova. And when he does, she'll learn the truth about him, and what happened to shape him into the man he is today.
The vendor looks at me with a suspicious side-eye. His gaze shifts back to the group behind me. They stand there, looking wind-blown and sun-dried. Our skin is caked with dirt and sand, our lips are cracked and peeling.
We're a mess.
"We're not from around here," I state, looking the ugly man straight in the eye. "Which is obviously why we need these."
He looks at me again, but grunts the total. I extend my wrist, paying the credits.
"Thank you," I say through clenched teeth as I take the clothing from the counter, giving him an annoyed look. I turn, distributing the items to everyone in our runaway group.
Zayne, Reena, my father, and I slip the hooded robes over our heads and step back out into the street.
Apparently, Stippe is nice on the other side of the planet. But the Frank our ship came with didn't take landscape into consideration when he landed us on this planet. He detected commerce and civilization and touched down on the side closest to our descent.
This side of the planet is non-stop wind, high temperatures, and lots and lots of sand.
We landed a kilometer outside of the town to not draw too much attention. The Corsair is beautiful. A ship like it draws questions.
We left the Frank to guard it.
So, we had to make the walk through the wind and pounding sand to reach the town and this rudimentary market.
I slip the hood over my head, grateful for it. It's thin fabric, but it's stiff, so it holds its form and has a sheer net that cascades down in front of my face so I can see. It drapes down past my neck, covering much of my chest.
Guarded against the elements now, we head down the street.
I'm trying not to have an anxiety attack. I feel so exposed. My entire life, all I've ever known are towering skyscrapers. I've never been able to see farther than twenty feet, until the next towering building.
But here, it's rolling hills of sand and wide, tan skies for as far as I can see.
It's overwhelming and incredible at the same time.
"I vote we get some food first," Zayne pipes up. "After nine days of rationed Korpillion food, I think I'm ready to see the offerings of the southern desert pole of Stippe."
I nod in agreement. No one complains as we follow our noses down the lane and find a shop advertising the best food in town.
We push open the tent flaps and step inside. The floor is sand, drug inside from the street. The dust is thick in the air, but it smells like spices and some kind of protein, and it makes my mouth water.
We order whatever the cook wants to bring us and tuck ourselves into a table at the far back of the tent.
"Think anywhere on this planet has a shower?" Zayne asks, running his hands through his sandy hair.
I understand what he means. Our ship has a good supply of water, but it also has the latest technology in recycling every drop, from the moisture in our breath, to the run off from the showers, to the urine our bodies produce.
It's hard to feel clean, knowing where the water came from, even if it has been filtered and cleaned.
"You've just been showered for nearly an hour with sand," I say, looking toward the kitchen as my stomach growls. "I think we're entirely new desert creatures now. Who needs water?"
He and my father chuckle, but Reena doesn't even crack a smile. She might be on the run with us, but she still doesn't like me.
The food is brought to our table, and my stomach gives a ravenous growl.
It smells real. It smells organic. It smells fresh.
I shove the first bite into my mouth and nearly moan at the explosion of flavor. It's some kind of meat, real, from an animal, I'd guess. It's doused in spices. There's some sort of root vegetable, and I just know it was grown in the ground. There's another vegetable, something juicy and a little sweet and savory.
"Is this what real food tastes like?" Zayne demands in surprise. His eyes are wide, and he keeps his mouth open just slightly, because the food is piping hot and burning my mouth, too. "What the void have we been eating on Korpillion?"
"Processed, engineered, soot-tainted garbage." Reena says the words without thinking as she, too, lays into the meal on her plate.
My father doesn't even say anything. He lets his eyes slide closed as he slowly chews, obviously enjoying every single bite.
"We're supplying from here," Zayne says, pointing at the kitchen. "None of that pre-packed stuff. We're having them space freeze a whole solar's worth of meals to get us all the way to the G sector."
I laugh, shaking my head at his enthusiasm, because it's obviously not going to happen, but I feel the same way.
Stippe might be a desert wasteland outside this tent, who knew there would be such amazing food inside? What other kinds of food might we discover on other planets if the food here tastes this good to a few refugees from Korpillion?
"I think we should stay on-planet for the night," I say, swallowing another steaming hot bite. "We need to take our time and make sure we get all the supplies we need so we don't have to stop for a while. I'm sure we can find a place to stay in town. If not, we'll go back and sleep on the ship."
"Slam the G sector," Zayne says around a huge mouth full of food. "I vote we just spend the rest of our lives eating food from every Dominion-free planet in the galaxy."
"Typical man," Reena says as she pops another bite into her mouth. "So easily ruled by his stomach."
"Does your mouth not feel alive for the very first time, ever?" he counters, looking at her with wide eyes.
It actually happens. Reena cracks a small smile. But she doesn't say anything, just looks back at her food and takes another bite.
I talk to the cook. I ask him how many meals he can get space-frozen for us by tomorrow evening. He says he can pre-cook four weeks' worth of meals for the four of us. But only if I pre-pay for them now.
Dominion’s strong hold, the planet Isroth, is crawling with soldiers, and worse—the Kinduri. Nova knew her mission was impossible, but hiding the truth of what she really is may be the most critical thing she’s ever done.Presented to Cyrillius as the fugitive he’s been chasing for lunars, the last thing Nova expected was to be complimented and revered by the man, praised for her work. The destroyer of planets has offered her a job, and it’s one Nova can’t refuse.She came to Isroth with a goal: kill Cyrillius. But something is wrong. She just…can’t. Something is stopping her. Maybe she judged Valen for not being able to leave Cyrillius too harshly. Maybe he truly just can’t. Time is ticking. Because the longer it takes her to figure their freedom out, the more sense Cyrillius and Dominion is starting to make.
The Bahiri are real and Nova has found them hidden away on an invisible planet. With their help, she’s finally ready to accept what she is: a Nero. She has to train, to learn how to use her abilities, and she’s got years’ worth of catching up to do. Desperate, she’ll push herself—possibly beyond her limits.But learning how to use her abilities not only awakens her capability to control Neron, but her power to see the future. Going to sleep is a nightmare and heaven, all in the same breath. Her future hasn’t changed—it’s still with Valen Nero, standing and ruling by his side. Every morning she wakes, gutted and alone. Her visions of the love between them aren’t real. At least…not yet.Nova is losing her mind. Her heart is fractured, and conflicted into knots. How is she supposed to let him go, to walk away from the galaxy’s second cruelest man, when she knows what kind of love they could have?The time for a choice has come: stay on Salypso where it’s safe, where Cyrillius will never find her. Or take what she has learned as a Nero and try to change her future, and that of the galaxy.
“I…am nothing.” He takes a step forward, shaking his head twice, with absolute conviction. “You’re not nothing, Nova.” In the Eon galaxy, Dominion controls any planet with solid Neron deposits, and Nova just found out they’re coming for hers. Korpillion isn’t supposed to have any Neron—the galaxy’s purest form of energy—but Nova Ainsley has been working with the owner of a secret mine for months, building highly illegal weapons that can wield Neron. She wants off Korpillion, and selling these weapons will buy her and her father a ticket to another planet in the galaxy. Neron is incredible on its own, but there are those who can wield it to their will, granting them the ability to read minds, see the future, and destroy worlds—the Nero. But this is a galaxy where they are ceasing to exist, and Dominion owns the last one in the known universe, using him to take over and destroy billions of lives. An encounter with the last Nero shows Nova her future: it’s with him. She will stand by his side one day, her fingers laced through his, love and adoration in both their eyes, a dark queen to his evil, pawn king. Fate or destiny, Nova will do whatever it takes to change their future, and that of the galaxy.
Nova knew that the galaxy wanted to be rid of Dominion, but she did not expect the immediate bravery that came after she and Valen declared war against Cyrillius. It’s a daily battle to protect Kaelea from his fleets, but leaders, soldiers, and publicists from planets near and far have come to aide in the fight. Best of all, Nova has reunited with her family.But this undertaking isn’t without its trials. Most of the galaxy still doesn’t trust Valen. With decades of rumors and witnessed actions, it will take an incredible act of risk to prove he’s changed. Until then, the weight of leadership falls squarely upon Nova’s shoulders. She’s never been trained to be a leader, but the entire galaxy is watching her. Failure is not an option.In the end, they don’t win this war until three things are decimated: Isroth, The Dominion, and Cyrillius. It’s time for Nova to build her most powerful weapon yet.
It’s been rumored about in bedtime stories for decades. Nova has seen it in her visions. It’s too dangerous to get within a league of. But those aboard Deliverance have arrived at Glorra Quin Lune, the planet Cyrillius stole Nova from.Everything is uncertain. How will they land on a planet entirely engulfed in Neron? How could anyone survive that blast? What will they find if they make their way to the surface? And will it change everything Nova knows about herself? It’s time for her to confront the past she was too young to remember, and try to save the family she can’t recall.Cyrillius has now lost two Nero and he made the mistake of telling Nova his plan. He’s on his way to the Frozen Kingdom to come claim a new child. It’s time to take care of him once and for all. Justice is going to taste sweet.
Nova and Valen barely escaped Isroth with their lives and now they’ve crash-landed on an empty planet—no people, no tools to fix their ship. Nova has spent her life building and creating mechanics, but this is the most advanced vessel in the galaxy, and she can’t figure out what’s wrong with it. But maybe the crash was a blessing in disguise. They’ve seen their entire lives together, but this is the first real time they’ve ever had with one another. This is their chance to see if their future is worth fighting for, and if there is anything between them besides attraction and fate. On this empty planet, there is no fighting, no war, no conflict. Their days and nights are filled with uncertain glances, soft touches, and life-altering vows.What was once never a question is now a serious consideration: do they even want to fix the ship, or is this the beginning of a brand new, perfect life?
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”
"Love is blind!" Lucinda abandoned her beautiful and comfortable life because of a man. She married him and slaved off for him for three long years. One day, the scales finally fell off her eyes. She realized that all her efforts were in vain. Her husband, Nathaniel still treated her like shit. All he cared about was his lover. "Enough is enough! I quit wasting my years with an ungrateful man!" Lucinda's heart was shattered into many pieces, but she summoned up the courage to ask for a divorce. The news caused a stir online! A filthy rich young woman recently got divorced? She was a good catch! Countless CEOs and handsome young men immediately swarmed to her like bees to honey! Nathaniel couldn't take it anymore. He held a press conference and begged with teary eyes, "I love you, Lucinda. I can't live without you. Please come back to me." Would Lucinda give him a second chance? Read to find out!
"There will be no falling in love, we will only act as a loving couple when we are in public, we will share a room to make it believable, but no intimacy, touching is off-limits. We'll only have sex once a month, and that's solely to produce an heir. You won't interfere in my business, and I won't interfere in yours. You will be my wife in every sense and you will not be involved with any other man," he said, arrogance seeping from every word. I watch his mouth move, I'm not ready to fall in love with any man, especially not one as arrogant and egoistic as him. I can handle acting as a loving couple, and as for intimacy once a month. I can agree to that just to satisfy my sexual cravings with no strings attached. "Where can I sign?" I asked since I had nothing to lose. *** Nadine's wedding dreams turned to nightmares when she caught her sister and fiancé cheating! With a secret recording, she's ready for revenge. But then mysterious billionaire Logan West offers a deal: A Contract Marriage to take down her ex's empire. But what Nadine doesn't know is her life is getting complicated as she takes her chance to get revenge or risks everything for a chance at love?"
The day Raina gave birth should have been the happiest of her life. Instead, it became her worst nightmare. Moments after delivering their twins, Alexander shattered her heart-divorcing her and forcing her to sign away custody of their son, Liam. With nothing but betrayal and heartbreak to her name, Raina disappeared, raising their daughter, Ava, on her own.Years later, fate comes knocking when Liam falls gravely ill. Desperate to save his son, Alexander is forced to seek out the one person he once cast aside. Alexander finds himself face to face with the woman he underestimated, pleading for a second chance-not just for himself, but for their son. But Raina is no longer the same broken woman who once loved him.No longer the woman he left behind. She has carved out a new life-one built on strength, wealth, and a long-buried legacy she expected to uncover.Raina has spent years learning to live without him.The question is... Will she risk reopening old wounds to save the son she never got to love? or has Alexander lost her forever?
After being kicked out of her home, Harlee learned she wasn't the biological daughter of her family. Rumors had it that her impoverished biological family favored sons and planned to profit from her return. Unexpectedly, her real father was a zillionaire, catapulting her into immense wealth and making her the most cherished member of the family. While they anticipated her disgrace, Harlee secretly held design patents worth billions. Celebrated for her brilliance, she was invited to mentor in a national astronomy group, drew interest from wealthy suitors, and caught the eye of a mysterious figure, ascending to legendary status.
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."