The Offering of Monarch of Ashes
Aeris Vale 25
The world's youngest and most feared ruler—CEO of ValeCorp (tech, bio-weapons, finance), silent controller of global governments, and empress of the most violent black market syndicate: Oblivion.
Cruel, cold, calculating. Feels no guilt. Values control above everything. Emotionally detached but not emotionless—she just buries it so deep no one sees it.
“You don't rule the world by being loved. You rule it by making sure no one dares to dream of defying you.”
Lucien Knee 29
Tech billionaire, arms magnate, and Aeris’s most loyal asset. Behind closed doors, he is her shadow, her weapon—and her obsession.
Calm, refined, dangerously possessive. Protective, but in a twisted, all-consuming way. Not afraid of her darkness—in fact, it’s what draws him in.
He doesn't want the throne. He wants her—to be near her, own her, and be the only one she ever shows real emotion to.
“I don’t want to fix you, Aeris. I want to worship the monster you became.”
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What happens when the most dangerous woman alive finally lets herself feel Sons thing
Lucien kisses her wrist and whispers:
“I belong to you.”
She looks down at him and finally says:
“You’re the only thing I won’t destroy.”