Synopsis

ArianaSinclairthoughtlosingKaelwouldbetheworstpainshecouldendure.Shewaswrong.ThebondthatoncetiedhertoKaelVaughn,thefearedStormWolf,hasshattered…andinitsplace,somethingancientclaimedherasBride.ThemomentAriana’sFifthBloodawakened,ananciententityreturnedandmarkedherastheoneithadwaitedlifetimestoreclaim.Kingdomsnowhuntherpower,monsterskneelbeforeherscent,andthemanwhooncewouldhaveburnedtheworldforherhasbeentakenbeyondherreach.Kaelwassupposedtoprotecther.Instead,hehasbecomethechosenGuardianofthedarknessrisingagainsther,theonemeanttodeliverherintoitshands.Acrossforgottenlifetimes,hehasfoundArianaagainandagain.Lovedher.Losther.Betrayedher.Killedforher.NowheisgonewithMira,awomanwhocancontrolthepowerinsidehimasifitwasalwaysherstocommand.Withtheirbondbrokenandwarclosingin,Arianaisleftwithoneterrifyingtruth:IfKaelreturns,hemaynotcomebackasthemansheloved.HemayreturnastheweaponforgedtoclaimherfortheentitythatcallsherBride.ButArianawasneverborntokneel.Andiffatewantsabride,itmayhavechosenthewrongwoman.