The Monster's Only Desire
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.
Table of contents
Latest Update25
The Upcoming Festival2026-04-09 18:04
- 1The Beginning of the North2026-02-19 14:35
- 2The Night I Stepped Into the Cage2026-02-19 14:47
- 3The House That Went Silent2026-02-19 15:04
- 4Into the Jaws of the North2026-02-19 15:18
- 5A Future Without Shape2026-02-20 18:35
- 6"Sold"2026-02-22 00:54
- 7Decisions Already Made2026-02-23 01:29
- 8What Survival Costs2026-02-24 01:05
- 9Even When It Hurt2026-02-25 18:14
- 10The Marriage That Devoured2026-02-27 19:48
- 11Echoes of the Lash2026-03-03 17:27
- 12The Demon Unleashed2026-03-04 17:48
- 13The Mark That Binds2026-03-06 00:01
- 14The Curse of Morvael2026-03-07 01:15
- 15The Map of Escape2026-03-08 19:25
- 16The Temple of Morvael2026-03-09 19:12
- 17A Hope Beneath the Snow2026-03-11 01:37
- 18The Escape2026-03-12 00:13
- 19The Last Escape2026-03-13 16:44
- 20The cage had already closed2026-03-14 16:46
- 21Obeying Him2026-03-16 17:17
- 22The Warmth2026-03-18 23:23
- 23The One Who Calms a Monster2026-04-01 19:09
- 24The Loneliness in his Eyes2026-04-05 00:45
- 25The Upcoming Festival2026-04-09 18:04
Volume 1
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