Bound and Tide: Villains and Virtues

About this book

Xander Shadowhart is a man defined by his duty. As the son of the formidable demon Birzuma the Blasphemed, his life has been a singular pursuit of his mother’s dark will. However, when his mother is banished to the infernal plane—taking his command over his own magic with her—Xander finds himself adrift. To reclaim his power and summon her back, he must embark on a quest to master the elusive *noxscura*, armed only with a decades-old clue. But fate has other plans in the form of a sharp-tongued, haughty herbalist who refuses to play by his rules. As Xander becomes increasingly distracted by her brilliant mind and biting wit, he discovers a dangerous new desire to serve someone other than his mother. This unexpected connection, coupled with the sudden emergence of long-lost kin, threatens to derail his entire mission. Featuring a delicious "enemies to lovers" dynamic, this story follows a blood mage who is forced to confront the most terrifying concept of all: vulnerability. As the stakes rise and his carefully laid plans unravel, Xander must decide if he is finally ready to trade his cold, scripted destiny for a chance at something truly human.