Bonds Of Fate – MB Goodwin

Snow drifts lazily from the night sky, light enough to melt on contact but not yet blanketing the ground. Firefly lanterns and rune-lights are strung overhead, their golden light blending with the soft luminescence of enchanted trees and flowers, casting a dreamlike glow over all of us. And thanks to the heating runes woven into the rooftop stones, the air stays pleasantly warm despite winter’s bite.

Stone benches overflow with half-empty bottles of wine, whiskey, and rum. Glasses gleam beside them, catching the shimmer of light, and an array of food sits nearby, all of it too elegant for a group that’s already halfway drunk. It was Odette and Sirena’s idea to celebrate surviving our first four months of soulbonds, and since it’s Cole’s last night here before returning to the Academy, it became the perfect excuse for an evening of indulgence.

Sirena insisted we all dress to the nines, declaring that if we’re all going to risk our lives, we might as well look good doing it. I chose a backless silk dress in midnight blue. It falls just above my ankles, the fabric whispering against my skin when the wind stirs. The long, slit sleeves hang off my shoulders, the fabric trailing around my wrists. My hair is half up, half down, loose curls with silverthorn vines woven throughout.

I’m sitting with Sirena, Thane, and Kaden near the water fountain, the sound of trickling water mixing with our laughter. Cole abandoned me minutes ago, predictably drawn to Brynn… persistent as ever. I can’t help but smirk, wondering how long it’ll take before she finally gives in to his relentless charm. “Do you ever think about what you’ll do when the war ends?” Sirena says beside me, her arm linked in mine, head resting on my shoulder. Thane speaks up, his fingers lacing through Sirena’s as he leans his head back against the fountain wall.

“If I survive all this, I’m building us a cottage far from the kingdom’s centre. No duty, no battles… just quiet.” “And chickens,” Sirena adds without missing a beat. Thane turns his head to her, a smile tugging at his lips. “You want chickens?” “You’re damn right I do.

I’m naming one after Cole.” She nods toward him as he makes his way to us across the rooftop. Thane’s chuckle rumbles low in his chest. I snort into my drink, amusement bubbling through me. “Make sure it’s the loudest one.” Laughter ripples through us, then Kaden’s voice cuts through the haze, steady but edged with something quieter beneath. “I’d move away too.” He says, swirling the liquid in his glass.

“Take whatever coin I’ve earned under The Council’s thumb and find a place that actually feels like home. Maybe…” He hesitates, a faint smile ghosting over his mouth. “Maybe have a child or two.”

Copyright © 2026 M.B.Goodwin All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning, or otherwise without written permission from the publisher. It is illegal to copy this book, post it to a website, or distribute it by any other means without permission. This novel is entirely a work of fiction.

The names, characters, and incidents portrayed in it are the work of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or localities is entirely coincidental. M.B.Goodwin asserts the moral right to be identified as the author of this work. Cover design by Sebastian Stancu Kaden’s art by Sebastian Stancu Chapter illustrations by M.B.Goodwin Map by M.B.Goodwin Paperback ISBN: 9781837094202 Hardback ISBN: 9781837094219 eBook ISBN: 9781837094226 DEDICATION For those who escaped into distant worlds when life felt too loud. Celestria is waiting for you.

1kitap1.com/en CHAPTER ONE ELYSIA The pyres burn hottest before dusk. From the hill above the river, I watch the flames lick at the sky, devouring bodies wrapped in pale cloth. Smoke coils upward in ribbons of black and ash, twisting against the pale blush of sunset. The Council calls it mercy, a cleansing flame meant to spare the infected from the slow agony of the plague draining their magic. They claim it is done so the souls might still be gathered by Noctis, God of death, before corruption can take hold.

But there is no mercy here. Not in the way warrior mages stand hollow-eyed, torches lifted high, listening to mothers scream as their children are turned to cinder. Not as sons and daughters cry for parents whose hands will never reach them again. There is no mercy in watching living bodies turn to ash. If Noctis is watching, he is not being honoured.

He is being used as an excuse. “You shouldn’t linger this close.” I turn, already knowing the voice. Cole leans against a tree a few paces behind me, arms crossed, his dark brunette hair pulled back and dusted with ash from the wind. His cloak hangs half-unfastened, and a faint grin tugs at his lips. “You keep watching the dead burn, you’ll start smelling like them.” “Charming as usual.” I scoff, my dagger twirling between my fingers.

Its runes hum faintly as if the blade itself hungers for justice or vengeance. It’s hard to tell the difference anymore. “Well, someone has to balance out your constant brooding, Sparks.” His lips tilt, amused with himself as always.

This is a short excerpt from the opening of “” by Unknown, quoted for review and introduction purposes. All rights belong to the copyright holders.

Book Information

• Unique ID: 19865efbf75d308b
• File Extension: .pdf
• File Size: 2,397,578 bytes (2.287 MB)
• Title: –
• Author: Unknown
• ISBN: 9781837094202, 9781837094219, 9781837094226
• Pages: 365
• Language: English (en)

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• Estimated Reading Time: 621.0 minutes
• Total Words: 124,201
• Total Characters: 698,755
• Average Words per Page: 340.28
• Average Characters per Page: 1914.4

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