From a Beggar to a Bastard
Elian, a beggar with nothing to lose, died tragically, only to awaken in the body of the despised bastard son of a powerful Grand Duke in the Arcanoria Empire. His second chance at life quickly turned into a nightmare when the Grand Duke’s household was executed, and Elian was sold into servitude as a courtesan. In this cruel new existence, Elian crossed paths with Izan, the enigmatic crown prince who harbored dark secrets of his own. As they grew closer, a forbidden love began to blossom, one that could upend the delicate balance of power in the empire and destroy them both. Torn between survival, betrayal and desire, Elian and Izan faced impossible choices. Could they defy the forces threatening to tear them apart, or would the empire crush their love before it even had a chance to begin? --- Warning: This book contains mature themes. Join my Discord server: https://discord.gg/NJJKETf4
The Public Stoning
Izan straightened himself and turned back to the crowd. The air was thick with the charged silence of a crowd waiting on the edge of an explosive release, their faces taut with a blend of anticipation, rage, and grim satisfaction. He could feel the weight of their gazes, thousands of eyes locked onto him, waiting for him to utter the words that would shatter the chains restraining their fury.
Izan surveyed the crowd, his expression as stony and resolute as the cobblestones beneath his feet. His gaze shifted back to the three condemned figures kneeling behind him, their wrists bound and faces marked with exhaustion, fear, and the final flickers of pride.