It's only been in the recent years that I rediscovered my love for spicy books, through open-door romantasy books such as Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash series and Scarlett St. Clair’s A Touch of Darkness series. And there was something so empowering about these female main characters learning, figuring out, discovering what they liked and wanted, and finding these amazing men – these book boyfriends of ours – that made it okay. And it just threw me back to so many years – things that had been said, things that had been done – that made me feel so small, so scared, to even consider what I needed. Instead, it was always about what they needed. And that, if they left, then that was because of me or something I’d done wrong.

  And so, I wrote and dedicated this book (and Elijah) to women who were made to feel small so that men would feel big, but it is also just as much a homage and love letter to authors such as those mentioned above, paving the way for readers to discover what they want and yearn for everywhere. Elijah is the effect these books had on me personified, and I’m beyond proud to join the ranks of open-door spice authors, with this book as my first contribution.

  There is a revolution happening. One of sexual liberation where women in particular are discovering what they truly want and need through books, as well as they are finding their voices to demand it.

  It is no wonder that some men may cower.

  But the good ones? The Elijahs of the world?

  Darlings, if a man’s worth your time, he’ll relish the challenge.

  Enjoyed Heir of Sin? Be a peach and leave a review to let other readers know!

  BONUS SCENE: HONEYMOON

  She was spent.

  Every muscle in her body ached after they had decided to check into an inn, although it had nothing to do with the journey itself – and more to do with Elijah taking it upon himself to show her what he had truly meant by there being other ways of making her scream.

  What he hadn’t done with his tongue, fingers, or the rest of his body, he’d done with his magic. And her mind still swirled with the feel of a particular kind that had made the air vibrate around her sensitive spot until she came and came again.

  Even then he hadn’t been done with her, making her come twice more as day turned to night, barely pausing except to get her a glass of water – before he promptly continued showing her all the erogenous zones she did not even know existed.

  Yet she needed more. Craved more, always teetering on the edge as if each orgasm had merely been a steppingstone, a build-up, towards a grander, bigger release.

  It came as she was sitting on his face. As she was rolling her hips with his tongue working inside her, and the sight of him beneath her was more than she could bear.

  She was so close. So close that she feared her cry would shatter the windows if she let it out.

  Sensing her distress, he growled. ‘I want to hear you.’

  ‘What if the other guests hear?’ she whimpered, because surely, this time they would, Elijah’s magic walls or not.

  ‘Then let them wallow with envy,’ he said, before proceeding to drag the tip of his tongue – his torturously slow tongue – over her sensitive spot. So slowly, it felt like there was an invisible claw raking down her spine, building a moan within her so deep and guttural it forced itself out.

  She shattered. Went rigid and dissolved, all over him, grasping the headboard with all her might.

  Beneath her, Elijah’s eyes shone with triumph and smug glee, and she would have smart-mouthed back at him if she’d had any breath left.

  Shifting, Elijah sat up so that he was propped up against the pillows. At her back, she could still feel his erection, and closed her eyes from the need it brought forth. She dug her nails into his chest.

  ‘I stand by what I’ve said before. As far as punishments goes, I don’t think this’ll have the effect you intend it to,’ she crooned, raising a brow at him. ‘I’m rather tempted to run off just so you’d do it all over again.’

  His smile dimmed, causing her own to dwindle in turn.

  ‘Where you run, I run,’ Elijah said, solemnly, his hands gripping her thighs harder, as if he was scared that she would run that very same moment.

  She swallowed, her heart clenching. ‘Even after what I did?’ Her voice was barely a whisper. ‘Even after I…tricked and used you?’ She’d been scared that he would feel trapped in this marriage of theirs, knowing that he did not ask for Keira and the witches to perform the ritual. Had he even forgiven her for what happened in the palace library? ‘If you’re still angry with me, I’d understand.’

  He flashed her a cocky grin and pulled her close. ‘I was angry with myself, not you. I’m not the kind of guy to be upset about sex, Peaches. You may use me as much as you like, as long as you need me.’

  Once again, she felt his fingers at her entrance, and she closed her eyes, arching against the ripples of pleasure and yearning already building anew inside her. She did not think there would ever be a day where she did not need him.

  ‘Insatiable,’ he murmured and met her gaze. Then he slipped a finger inside and curved it delicately.

  Whimpering, Keira eased into his touch and the thought of the release soon to come.

  Insatiable. That she was. But only for him. Completely and utterly insatiable.

  You didn’t think that was all did you?

  Sign up to my newsletter and get access to an exclusive bonus chapter from Elijah’s point of view (releasing end of September 2024)

  They say that pride comes before a fall, but can the same be said for falling in love?

  Learn more about Equinox’s history in

  STORY OF HELEN

  – featuring the full story of Saint Helena and the Tyrant Emperor

  ADD YOUR ARC INTEREST HERE or PRE-ORDER DIRECTLY HERE!

  Looking for something to read while you wait for book 2? Curious about Keira’s parentage?

  Check out my debut trilogy taking place before Heir of Sin, and see if you can spot clues and cameos to HoS in Spindle of Life.

  This is a YA fantasy series featuring an ancient war between the three Fates, their heirs caught in between, and intricate worldbuilding. It has closed-door romantic tension throughout book 2 and 3, but the first book is the darkest with only a romantic side-plot. If spice and romance is your preference, book 1 is recommended as a palate cleanser.

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

  A big, hearty thank you goes out to those who have been with me for the creation of this book.

  From the very beginning, this includes editor Tayler Bailey McLendon, Julia (a.k.a. @entirelybonkerz), and Nastasia Bishop-McHugh who all provided feedback and thoughts during the early stages of getting the story down.

  Following up with my early readers Rai, Kristine, Stephanie, Hope, Kat, Stacy, Becca, Vanessa, Maddi and Diksha, whose excitement and input has been invaluable in the process. Extra peaches must be handed out to Stephanie, Rai, Becca, Kat, Diksha and Maddi for reading multiple alternative structures and scenes when I was stuck. I hope you’ll find the final result juicy enough that it was worth it.

  Thank you to my proofreader, Rachel L. Schade, and cover designer Maria Spada for making this book shine, and finally my other half for helping me with *cough* research. I love your peachy behind.

  Last but not least, thank you to every single reader, peach and sinner who have read the book, loved it, spread the word about it and generally helped other readers discover it in every single way. Thank you for loving Elijah and Keira’s story as much as I do. Hopefully, it won’t be long till we see them again. *winks*

  PS: A special mention must also be made to Julia and Chiara Karys for inspiring a chess and cookie scene, and Kat for naming Mr Burton. Elijah sends kisses to you all.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  C. L. Qvam has been lost and found on more than one occasion , and now it seems she has been found again by you!

  Growing up loving books with magical dimensions, natural deities and chosen ones; Chase has always been a bit of a dreamer, certain that stories is our portals to worlds where magic can be lived and experienced.

  Neurodivergent and with a taste for a bit of everything, Chase’s projects ranges from upper YA fantasy stories filled with mythology/lore, mystery, and dashes of sizzling romance, to (darker) romantasies with more explicit adult content.

  Check out published and planned books to come, and find recommended reading orders here!

 

 

  Qvam, C. L., Heir of Sin (Fallen Sins Book 1)

 

 

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