His destiny.

  There was no more putting it off.

  “Your Majesty,” his old adviser bowed low.

  The tendons and ligaments in his arms pulled and snapped as he sat up on the cold, damp cave floor.

  “You couldn’t have put me in a bed, Supay?” Vasso growled and rubbed his eyes with the heels of his palms.

  “Forgive us, your majesty. Your regeneration was taking a long time. Eraphon…she—”

  Vasso held up his hand for silence. Of course, she requested that he wake up cold, dark, and sore. But for Shadow’s sake, why did his chest hurt so much?

  Do not speak of her.

  Vasso ran his hands through his hair. It was short. Much shorter than he liked it.

  Dinah came forward, bowed, and extended her hand to help him. Then, he saw it: a raised, angry demon brand, one in the shape of a raven.

  “Who dared to brand me?” he seethed.

  The demons, including his adviser, flinched. Only Dinah stood true and straight, ever the soldier, his fury. If there was one thing he could count on in all his years, it was her, and her steadiness.

  It does not matter.

  “Who?” he asked again, ignoring his commander’s voice in his head. He was taller in this new form, almost a head and a half above his friend. She looked the same, blood red hair shorn to her collarbone.

  Yes. Ever the soldier.

  “Do you not remember?” Dinah asked him. Her brows were furrowed something fierce, a stitch of panic on her tongue. “What was the last thing you remember?”

  Vasso thought back. Memories of a tent after a battle came forward. One, he thought he’d survive. That didn’t seem to be the case. The words of the prophecy rang through his ears. He would be the downfall of the realm. He would be the last Demon King. Then there was nothing.

  “The battle of Okaterth.”

  His creatures, his lords and ladies, gawked at him as if he were mad. Vasso growled in response.

  “Your Majesty,” Dinah lowered her voice. “That was one hundred years ago.”

  Pronunciation Guide

  Citadel:

  Jedan YEH-dan

  Dobro doh-broh

  Daedeth DAY-deth

  Menage may-NAHZH

  Ogdelo Og-del-oh

  Darine DAH-reen

  Characters:

  Seraphina sar-ah-FEE-nah

  Honora huh-NORA

  Lavinia luh-VIN-ee-uh

  Dominick DOM-uh-nick

  Alistair AL-ist-air

  Ophelia oh-FEEL-ee-ah

  Vasso VAH-so

  Supay soo-pay

  Snik sn-ick

  Galene guh-LEE-nee

  Theodore THEE-uh-dor

  Raphael RAF-ay-uhl

  Creatures:

  Elken EL-ken

  Agbris AHG-bris

  Totrus tot-ruhs

  Vuk vuhk

  Aliato ah·lee·AH·toh

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  Acknowledgements

  This book was the greatest labor of love. There are so many people who helped make it the piece of art it is today, and I would not have been able to do it without anyone on this list.

  First and foremost, I’d like to thank my husband. There has never been a person in my life who has cared as much about my dreams as you do. Thank you for giving me the space, time, and permission to follow them.

  To my editor, Elyse. Not only have you gone above and beyond with your guidance, expertise, and care, but you’re a lovely person whom I could learn from endlessly. Thank you for the boosts of confidence, your hard questions, and your pushes to take this book to the next level.

  To my critique partners. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Thank you for reading my slop. For holding my hand through the first iterations of this book and any other story I threw at you. Thank you for your encouragement, your tough love, and your friendship. This would not be where it is without S.J. Snyder, Margot Grey, T. Minx, Chloe Cooley, Elysia Rourke, Indigo Rue, and “Kim Club” Kim Holland.

  And my beta readers: All-star never said no to a request to read: Rebecca Baramidze! Plus, Gaylene Salazar, Gibson Monk, Chris V, Jim Rose, H.G. Kim, Hilary Hext, Megan Lawyer, Chaos Kellogg, Monika Trzcinski, and Rachel Savage. Your enthusiasm and notes helped mold the clay, and I hope you love this version of The Vatra Witch.

  The most specialist of thanks to the wonderful Karmel M. Fausett. Not only were your notes helpful, but your TikTok videos and support, even at the beta stage, made my heart soar and gave me the confidence to keep going. You’re a treasure.

  The beautiful cover was completed by Alex McLaughlin at Nox Cover Designs. Alex’s attention to detail and working with me on this book and the future covers in the series has been such a wonderful experience.

  About the author

  Born and raised in Upstate New York, G.V. Hext can usually be found either writing, reading, or snuggling with one of her pets. Her love for fantasy and romance catapulted her into worlds of mystery and heartbreak, both of which she embraces in her books. She hopes you agree.

  Keep up to date with all the news:

  www.gvhext.com

 

 

  G.V. Hext, The Vatra Witch: Book One The Lost Souls of Eraphon Series

 

 

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