Rain of Shadows and Endings

Six First gods emerged from Chaos to shape the realms.

Six First gods emerged from Chaos to shape the realms. Among them: Achaz, god of beginnings, and Arius, god of endings. Their demigod descendants became the Legacy, placed on a single world called Devram and granted technologies, mortals for mundane labor, and the Fae—beings created to balance Legacy power. Fae magic feeds Legacy reserves; in exchange, the Fae received elemental gifts and extended lifespans. But their gifts remain dormant until awakened by the Legacy, ensuring control. Six ruling families descended from the six gods govern Devram's kingdoms. The gods departed, swearing never to interfere again. Over millennia, the Legacy claimed dominion, and the Fae became servants—bred, bled, and bound. In this forgotten world, the balance has been tipping for centuries. Chaos stirs once more.

The Arius Heir corners a Fae hiding in an alcove

Tessa sneaks away from the Selection Ceremony crowd with stolen chocolate, tucking herself into a dark alcove in the Pantheon corridor. She's discovered by a Legacy she doesn't recognize—dark-haired, emerald-eyed, impeccably dressed without a tie. He interrogates her about why she's alone, plucks the chocolate from her fingers, and asks if she's slated to be Selected as a Source. When she admits she isn't, something shifts in his gaze. He crowds her deeper into the alcove, his proximity more possessive than threatening, and she holds her ground despite knowing a Fae cannot refuse a Legacy anything. She escapes back to the grand hall and tells her best friend Dex about the encounter, never suspecting the stranger has already made his choice.

Theon selects the one Source nobody expected

The ruling families parade into the grand hall for a historic Selection—all six kingdom heirs choosing Sources simultaneously. Tessa stands with Dex and their friends, certain none of them will be chosen. The other heirs announce pre-arranged Sources without surprise. Then the Arius Heir steps forward, and Tessa's legs nearly buckle as she recognizes the Legacy from the alcove. Theon St. Orcas announces her full name as his bonded Source. Her friends stare in horror while Dex's expression suggests he feared this was possible all along. A Legacy named Luka Mors escorts her to the dais where she takes her place behind Theon, and Tessa sees her entire future reflected in the submissive Fae standing behind Theon's father—the Lord of the most feared kingdom in Devram.

A dagger, mixed blood, and dark magic forge an unbreakable cord In a private suite, Theon injects Tessa with a tonic that cracks her dormant magical barriers, then a Priestess oversees the bonding ritual. Theon slices both their palms with a black dagger while the Priestess draws a Mark in their mingled…