In the tavern of Gratentouv, the waters of the sacred mountain are served alongside magical elixers vetted by the power long possessed by the dragons of the great Keugauv ancestry. Magic is passed in the blood and the Keugauv have long been known to serve the kingdom well in making sure the elixers are free of curses. Making the tavern a safe place to trade and do business, but it's common knowledge across the land on this side of the sacred mountain that the tavern's heir has no such ability.
They'd be right, because a dragon doesn't get their magic until they are consumed in fire, but my father didn't want to awaken my transition into adulthood. And neither did I, because then everyone would know I wasn't male. Female dragon's scales react by changing colors when in the presence of a fertile male. Going into heat would guarantee that I'd be taken away from my father and kept "safe" in the mountain temple. I would be saying goodbye to any semblance of freedom I had, and the king would be in charge of deciding who would become my mate.
That was the curse not even my father could cancel with his magic. There weren't enough female dragons and being one guaranteed only one thing, that when our lie was discovered... my worth would change to providing our clan with more females. Breeding.
"One moon rising, you will join the temple, but I pray for your sake that you are keeping your heart open to finding your own mate before then," my father warned. "Avoiding dragon's fire will not last forever, my treasure."
I scoffed, but knew he was just looking out for me. It was to prepare me for the day that I'd be taken away from him. He'd be lucky to keep the business after defying the royal decree that all females be safely kept at the temple like horded treasure. Every dragon had a penchant for posessiveness and collecting something, but the scarcity of females has made that trait take on a whole new level of obsession.
My only saving grace was that much of the clan assumed I was a late bloomer, and many great magic has been born of those who took longer to accept their fire. The opposite has been true as well. Waiting too long could also result in being an ashen tac, a dragon with no gift. The elders speak of listening to the inner light of fire we are all born from.
My father blew smoke from his nose onto the batch of elixers in a crate. He sighed as he sifted through to the glass vial that the smoke clung to, indicating that one would have unintended side effects when consumed. Some more powerful magic required a cost from its weilder and if it wasn't paid then the recipient would have consequences. It was hard to tell what kind without taking a chance. I liked how his eyes turned silver, glowing like the moon when he used his magic.
A pang of unwanted jealousy made my skin itch with a need to burn off my flesh for my scales to grow in.
"You worry too much," I dismissed before double checking my hair wasn't coming undone in the reflection of a gold-plated serving tray. I kept my sides shaved and braided the top tight along my scalp. Fingers brushed along the strands until I spotted a red hair bright against the black. Fuck. I targeted the offending folicle and plucked it. Couldn't risk that it would change colors when I met up with the guys.
Plus, Soren would definitely insist that it meant I was ready to be initiated by fire. A sign from the ancients that it was time to grow up. He thought of me like a younger brother, and I'd prefer to keep it that way for as long as possible.
My father narrowed his eyes at me. "Riven, naming you after the great dragon of two hearts was not meant to keep you divided against who you are forever."
"You going to turn me in yourself?" I questioned, already knowing the answer by the way his brows scrunched in dismay.
"It was your mother's wish for you to have a different life than hers. A dragon never breaks an oath, you know this."
This was a sneak peek at Riven's Flame, which will be freesies to everyone on this newsletter when it's finished. But until then, you can support future books by me, including this one by reading my other books like my Greek Mythology retelling Taking Medusa with dark gods, prophecy, and a love that transcends the fates!
Here's what some readers have said about Taking Medusa:
Until next time!
xoxo
Stevie
You can check out my books below:
Dive into a different reality, filled with magic, fates, and gods with me. I love living inside of the worlds created by my imagination, and every adventure is more fun with friends! Available with Kindle Unlimited:
Taking Medusa is my slow-burn Medusa Romantasy and if you haven't already, you can start reading right away! Start with Taking Medusa and read on through to the newly released Breaking Fate! Both books are available in Kindle Unlimited and Audible!
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https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
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Happy reading, and perhaps you'll find your next favorite read among the featured indie authors below!
xoxo
Stevie
Check out Savage Bite Buy Savage Bite
Grab The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain Buy The Alien's Cruel Starfrost Domain
Check out The Fae's Bargain Buy The Fae's Bargain: a Fake Relationship Fated Mates Romance
Check out Pure when a unicorn walks into a bar Buy Pure
Hope you find some great indie reads! Chat soon!
xoxo
Stevie
What people have been saying about Breaking Fate: here are a few snippets from the reviews so far!
✨"Breathtaking romantasy" - N.N. Light
✨"Flipping pages late into the night" - Rebel
✨"It's like watching a movie, only better" - N.N. Light
✨"I couldn't put it down" - Amy's Bookshelf Reviews
✨"Powerful and ever-changing FMC" - Mary
✨"Twistedly Brilliant" - Rose
✨"Mystery of fates and desires... Deliciously Torturous" - Jess
✨"A Fascinating Colossal World" - Sandra
✨"I absolutely love this book!" - LaWanda
✨"Hungry for more" - Jess
✨"This.author.is.EVERYTHING!!!!" - Megan
Start Reading Taking Medusa today in Kindle Unlimited: https://books.steviemarie.com/takingmedusa
Taking Medusa is available in Kindle Unlimited, and Audible!
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Add to your Goodreads shelf: Breaking Fate (Dark Gods Rising, #2) by S.M. McCoy | Goodreads Breaking Fate on Amazon: https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
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Also by me: Do you like Alien Romances?
Check out my Pen Name Sky Robert!
If you would like to help support future books, and this series, you can grab my newest release Breaking Fate on Amazon here or read in Kindle Unlimited! https://books.steviemarie.com/breakingfate
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xoxo
Stevie
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