In a kingdom where nobles wear enchanted masks that define their roles and status, the protagonist-a commoner with the rare ability to craft living masks-becomes entangled in palace intrigue when they are commissioned to create a mask for a reclusive prince cursed never to see sunlight. As the protagonist works on the mask, they uncover a hidden world of magic, betrayal, and a growing bond with the prince. Their love becomes the key to breaking the curse, but doing so could destabilize the entire kingdom. Together, they must navigate a treacherous path where one wrong move could mean losing not just their love, but their lives.
The sun was setting over the kingdom of Veloria, casting a warm, amber glow over the royal gardens. Lyra knelt among the delicate petals of the moonlit roses, her fingers brushing lightly over the soft blooms. The evening air was filled with the sweet scent of jasmine and the earthy fragrance of the garden's hidden treasures. It was here, in this secluded place, that Lyra felt most at peace-where time seemed to pause, and the world outside the walls of the castle faded into the distance.
Lyra was the castle's healer, though most of her work was confined to tending the plants and flowers that flourished under her care. There was something magical about these gardens-something that had always felt more alive than the rest of the kingdom. The roses, in particular, were said to have healing properties, their petals capable of soothing even the most broken of spirits.
As she worked, her mind wandered to the stories she had heard since childhood-stories about Prince Caelan, the cursed heir to the throne. The tale was well-known across the kingdom, whispered from servant to servant, from mother to child. It was said that the prince had been cursed by a vengeful sorcerer, doomed to live a life in torment. By day, he was a statue of stone, motionless, trapped in the form of an inanimate figure. Only by night, when the stars rose high above the castle, did he regain his human form. But even then, his curse lingered, for he was bound to wear an enchanted mask, hiding his face from the world.
Lyra had never seen the prince herself, only heard the rumors-the darkened tales of his isolation and sorrow. Some said he was a monster. Others claimed he was a victim of a cruel fate. But Lyra couldn't help but feel a flicker of compassion for him. What must it be like to live a life so separated from others, to never know the warmth of another's touch?
Her thoughts were interrupted by the soft crunch of footsteps on the gravel path. She stood up and turned, seeing one of the castle servants approaching her with an air of urgency.
"The royal banquet is to begin soon, Mistress Lyra," the servant said, her voice laced with nervousness. "The prince will be in attendance tonight. It's... it's his rare appearance."
Lyra's heart skipped a beat. Tonight. She had heard of these gatherings-the few times a year when Prince Caelan was allowed to leave his chambers, when he made an appearance before the court. But despite the excitement that surrounded his rare visits, there was always an underlying tension. The prince never spoke. He never removed his mask. It was said that the mask was a reminder of the curse, an object of both power and torment.
"I see," Lyra murmured, her gaze drifting back to the moonlit garden. Her mind raced. Perhaps tonight she would finally understand the prince's curse. Perhaps, for the first time, she would see the man behind the mask.
Later that evening, the grand hall was alive with the hum of conversation and the clinking of silver goblets. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and the sweet aroma of roasted meats. Lyra stood by the far corner, unnoticed amidst the nobility, her dark dress blending into the shadows. She had no desire to mingle with the courtly crowd-her heart was focused elsewhere, on the figure who had just entered the room.
Prince Caelan stood at the entrance of the hall, his presence commanding the attention of all who saw him. He was a tall man, broad-shouldered and regal, with an air of quiet strength that seemed to radiate from him despite the mask that obscured his features. The mask was a work of exquisite craftsmanship-its golden surface gleaming in the candlelight, intricate patterns etched across it, as though it held secrets within its design. It was said that the mask was enchanted, not just a symbol of his curse but a means of controlling the magic that kept him alive.
Lyra's breath caught in her throat as she watched him. His eyes-hidden behind the mask-seemed distant, haunted. He moved through the room with an eerie grace, but there was something about his presence that felt out of place. As if he were a stranger in his own skin.
She couldn't look away.
Prince Caelan paused before the royal dais, where his parents, the king and queen, sat in their regal seats. His mother's eyes were filled with sorrow as she regarded him, her hands clasped tightly together. His father, the king, gave a curt nod, though his expression was unreadable. The prince made no attempt to acknowledge either of them. Instead, he turned and began to make his way toward the center of the hall, his movements stiff and mechanical.
Lyra's heart ached at the sight. She knew the stories-knew that the prince could never remove the mask, never show his true face. But standing there in the dim light, she saw something more: a man imprisoned by his own curse, a soul lost in the shadow of a terrible fate.
As he passed close to her, Lyra's breath caught in her throat. She glanced at him, her gaze lingering just a moment too long. And in that fleeting instant, she saw something flicker behind the mask-something raw, something human. It was a look of such deep, unspoken pain that it left her breathless.
For a moment, time stood still.
Later that night, as the banquet wore on, Lyra found herself restless. She excused herself from the hall, retreating to the quiet solitude of the garden. The cool night air felt like a balm against her flushed skin, and she inhaled deeply, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind.
What had she seen in his eyes? What had the prince felt in that moment?
And what could she possibly do to help him?
As she walked through the moonlit garden, her eyes were drawn to a small, intricately carved box nestled among the roots of the ancient oak tree. It was a relic she had seen before-an artifact passed down through the royal family, a symbol of the prince's curse. She knelt down, her fingers tracing the smooth wood. The box contained a mask, one of many enchanted items connected to the prince's fate.
Her heart pounded as a sudden thought struck her. Could this mask hold the key to breaking the curse? Could the artifact she had found in the garden be the one thing that could set Caelan free?
With a sense of purpose she had never felt before, Lyra rose to her feet, clutching the mask tightly. There was only one way to find out.
A prince cursed to turn into stone by day falls for a gardener tending the magical roses in his castle grounds. Together, they seek the key to breaking the curse before it's too late
A sudden twist of fate connected Helena to a prominent and influential person. To onlookers, she appeared as a naive bimbo. In truth, she was a top-tier specialist, shrouded in layers of hidden identities. Charlie declared, “She’s quite delicate and easily hurt. Cross her, and you’re crossing me.” The elite families, outwitted by Helena's prowess, kept these truths from him. Helena eventually broke free from Charlie, sending him on a frenzied worldwide hunt. To him, she was a bird with dazzling wings, and his goal was to help her reach new heights.
COALESCENCE OF THE FIVE SERIES BOOK ONE: THE 5-TIME REJECTED GAMMA & THE LYCAN KING BOOK TWO: THE ROGUES WHO WENT ROGUE BOOK THREE: THE INDOMITABLE HUNTRESS & THE HARDENED DUKE *** BOOK ONE: After being rejected by 5 mates, Gamma Lucianne pleaded with the Moon Goddess to spare her from any further mate-bonds. To her dismay, she is being bonded for the sixth time. What’s worse is that her sixth-chance mate is the most powerful creature ruling over all werewolves and Lycans - the Lycan King himself. She is certain, dead certain, that a rejection would come sooner or later, though she hopes for it to be sooner. King Alexandar was ecstatic to meet his bonded mate, and couldn’t thank their Goddess enough for gifting him someone so perfect. However, he soon realizes that this gift is reluctant to accept him, and more than willing to sever their bond. He tries to connect with her but she seems so far away. He is desperate to get intimate with her but she seems reluctant to open up to him. He tries to tell her that he is willing to commit to her for the rest of his life but she doesn’t seem to believe him. He is pleading for a chance: a chance to get to know her; a chance to show her that he’s different; and a chance to love her. But when not-so-subtle crushes, jealous suitors, self-entitled Queen-wannabes, an old flame, a silent protector and a past wedding engagement threaten to jeopardize their relationship, will Lucianne and Xandar still choose to be together? Is their love strong enough to overcome everything and everyone? Or will Lucianne resort to enduring a sixth rejection from the one person she thought she could entrust her heart with?
Due to the plight of her family, Phoebe had no choice but to embark on the path of selling herself. In an accident, she had a tangled night with Alexander. Everything began to derail, and even if she fled to the ends of the earth, she would still be found by him and entangled... *** Phoebe screamed in frustration, "What do you want from me?" What was this supposed to be? He raised an eyebrow wickedly. "What do I want? You'll find out soon enough." With that, he hoisted her up and carried her back into the office. The door slammed shut with a kick, and he cleared the desk with a sweep of his arm before laying her down on it, his body pinning hers in place, completely trapping her in his grasp. Every cell in his body was telling him he wanted her. He wanted to claim her again. This time, there would be no escape for her-he wouldn't let her slip away. Never again. If he had suffered for five years, then this woman wouldn't get off easily either!
For the whole 17 years of her existence, Alana did not know the word freedom and happiness having been confined in the basement of her family's house accused of killing her own mother. She's beaten, cursed at, and barely survived from crumbs of food thrown at her. She thought this is her final destiny and has accepted the bitter fate of her life not until the night of her 18th birthday, a mysterious alpha appeared at her door telling her that she is the long-lost daughter of the alpha king and claiming her as his mate he's been looking for several years now.
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
"You're my wife in name only, on paper only. My heart and love will never be yours." Edward made it clear to Daisy that she was nothing to him. They were both victims of family greed -- the marriage was arranged for them. Six years passed. She remained quiet, gaining a reputation in the army as a tough-as-nails colonel. When she walked into his life again, Edward fell in love with this woman, unlike any he had known. She surprised and delighted him. But will Daisy take him back? Can their son keep them together? Can the rift between them be healed? Pick this one up and find out!