Ilham Fathur

Tatiana and the Shadowtongue
Tatiana, a resilient half-demon/half-human orphan, possesses a rare ability to speak Shadowtongue - the native language of demons. Taken in by a human Duke who seeks to exploit her gift, Tatiana endures unspeakable abuse from the Duke's family. Nevertheless, she perseveres as an interpreter between the demon and human kingdoms, hoping to bridge the divide and earn her family's love.

Her dedication proves futile when the Duke uses her as a political pawn, leading to her untimely demise. But just as Tatiana accepts her fate, she inexplicably awakens a year after her death. Armed with knowledge of the Duke's nefarious deals, Tatiana escapes to the Demon High Court and offers her services to the enigmatic Demon King Luther in exchange for protection.

Initially skeptical, Luther is intrigued by Tatiana's bravery and her fluency in Shadowtongue. As they work together, Tatiana discovers a surprising warmth beneath the Demon King's icy exterior. But with their respective worlds at odds and enemies lurking in the shadows, will their newfound bond be enough to overcome the forces working against them?

I was supposed to die in that burning barn.

Instead, I became his.

Rahlan slaughtered everyone I ran with—effortlessly, almost bored—then dragged me from the shadows like I was nothing more than something he’d misplaced and decided to keep.

“Don’t scream,” he told me, his voice calm against my ear as his fangs slid into my throat.
“You belong to me now.”

I should hate him.
He killed my friends.
He bound my hands, stripped me of every weapon, every ounce of pride, every illusion of control.

He drinks from me when he wants.
Starves me when it pleases him.
Drags me behind his horse like I’m just another piece of gear.

And yet—

When another vampire tried to take me, Rahlan tore him apart.

When the cold should have killed me, he wrapped me in his cloak and pulled me into his bedroll, his body heat the only thing keeping me alive.

He calls me slave.
But no one else is allowed to touch what’s his.

I’m still human.
Still trying to survive.
Still trying to get back to my brother in the south.

But every mile he drags me north…
Every night his mouth finds my throat…
Every time he looks at me like I’m something he owns—

I feel myself breaking.

Because the monster who destroyed my world
is becoming the only thing keeping me alive.

…and the most dangerous part?

I’m starting to want him to keep me.