Her Ladyship Anastasia Roseline Sinclair of Florence believed she had everything: a noble title, a promising future, and the love of Aaron Dinkley—the charming son of Duke Andrew Dinkley of Fortshire, one of Flambodia’s most powerful fiefs. Childhood sweethearts, Anastasia and Aaron were raised to believe they were destined for each other.

But destiny is a cruel mistress.

On the eve of her succession to Duchess of Florence, Anastasia is betrayed—by Aaron, the man she loved, her stepsister, and her own family. Stripped of her title, murdered in cold blood, and discarded like refuse in the wastelands, she is left to die.

Yet death does not claim her.

At the brink of death, Anastasia is reborn—not as a phoenix, but as a vulture. A vulture ready to devour the flesh and bones of her enemies. Cold and ravenous for retribution. She will reclaim her crown, her dignity, and her name. And she will make them all bleed.

Because revenge is a meal best served cold.

.........

Crown Prince Daniel Maxwell Devonte of Flambodia is feared across kingdoms. Ruthless in battle, merciless in court, he is known as the Dragon—a warrior whose enemies tremble at the mere mention of his name. His fame attracted him more enemies than friends including his own family. His own father King Reginald the Fifth, hated him but mostly feared him because of his power. Rumours swirled in the wind that his mother the former Queen cheated on the King and that he was not his son. However, rumours based on assumptions could not be regarded as evidence. Although it did not stop the current Queen and her minion children to peck around them and use them to their advantage in order to taint his already spoiled reputation.  

Daniel wears revenge like armor, his fury buried beneath layers of strategy and silence. He trusts no one. Loves no one. Until he meets her.

The fiery red-haired stranger with eyes like embers and a soul forged in betrayal.

Anastasia.

Together, they are chaos incarnate. Two broken souls bound by vengeance, drawn together by bloodshed and ambition. Their enemies will fall. Their kingdoms will burn.

And the world will learn what happens when you cross a Duchess and a Dragon.

Their loud screeching as they circled around me.


The unforgiving scratch of their sharp talons biting through my skin.


Their beaks poking my flesh as knives ready to slaughter.


Their hunger, fresh and undeniable. As they swam around me like vultures, ready to devour my flesh, eat to their bellies fill.


Their cries, echo around you like laughter..


As they tear you apart from limb to limb


I can still see their faces as they enjoyed watching me, writhing and swarming in my own blood.


So they can finally enjoy their feast without a shred of guilt.


But...these wounds...and these bruises are not a feast for cowardly birds like them


And if I have to become the vulture, the bigger bird to defend what's mine..


Not until I see each and every crow dead under my feet...


Anastasia shot her eyes open. The taste of earth filled her mouth. Lightning cracked. And then—Hugh!!


She heaved for breath. All the crows scattered away from her.


She was half buried in an open ground, surrounded by black soil and dead trees. A wasteland, a cursed battlefield. Where the enemies of the kingdom are discarded to be devoured by the beasts of the forest.


Skeletons painted the ground with a mixture of black and white. But unlike the other lifeless bones. One lived and revenge glowed like an unquenchable flame in a dark abyss.


Lightning flashed across the sky as crows circled around her, cawing loudly as a sign that something big is about to happen.


Chapter 1 - Prologue