
War rages between the kingdom of Theros and the allied city-states of Aurel. Alessia, a Tharon woman with a dark past of abuse under the brutal Commander Walus, flees the capital city with her daughter Stella to survive. After stealing from the Aurean camp for months to keep them fed, she’s injured by their sentries—only to be found by the cunning King Odrian and his fiercely loyal fellow general-king, Dionys.
As she recovers, bonds form—familial, protective, and perhaps something more—but danger looms: She’s in an enemy war camp, Walus hunts them, and High King Nomaros is suspicious of her motives.
Together, Alessia and Odrian weave lies and promises, vowing to destroy Walus while playing a dangerous game of politics. But as trust deepens, Alessia realizes she’s no longer just surviving… she’s found a home worth fighting for.
Themes: Found family, trauma recovery, cunning strategy, slow-burn loyalty, OT3: MMF romance.
Chapter 1: The Thief, The Child, and The King
Chapter 5: Captain Crunchbutt and the Pebble Army
Chapter 6: A Knife in the Dark
Chapter 11: The Butcher of Ellun