Melissa K. Roehrich

February 11, 2026

Hardcover

Series: Avonleya #1

• Fantasy/Romantasy
• Dark Romance
• Fae/Dragons
• Enemies to Lovers

Fate bends to no one except the cursed.

The King

The safety of his kingdom has been the highest priority for Cethin since the moment he was born, but he’s been on the throne less than a year when new threats find their way to his lands. Past sacrifices mean nothing if he can’t figure out what is hunting his people. Desperate to protect his kingdom but also free Avonleya from the curse that keeps them locked away from the rest of realm, he’ll do anything to ensure his people know peace. Even if that means being a villain in one story to be a savior in another.

The Queen

When Kailia steps in to save the Avonleyan king from certain death, she never expected to be punished for it. Then again, maybe she’s being punished for accidentally stabbing him a few weeks later. Whatever the reason, she suddenly finds herself forced into a marriage and onto a throne. But she’s not from here. She’s from across the sea where the Avonleyan king is only whispered about. Wicked. Cursed. Cruel. That’s fine. She can be all those things too, and she’ll have to be to get what she came to the kingdom for. She lives for the hunt, and she’s never the prey.

The Dragon

Avonleya is the only real home he’s ever known, but Razik Greybane is loyal to the kingdom that loves the night, not the arrogant king who sits on the throne. Content with his books and solitude, he only cares for two people: his uncle and the female Fae who can sustain his magic. When his uncle assigns him to be the new queen’s personal guard, Razik agrees. Sure, it’s mainly to figure out the new queen’s ulterior motives, but if he can use the opportunity to undermine Cethin, he’ll take that too. It’s only fair when he’s the reason Razik was abandoned to this realm and cursed to forever fight a destiny he doesn’t want, until he realizes the Fates just might be more involved than they ever realized.

The night harbors more than shadows.

Tortured Souls is book one of two in the Avonleya series. It is a dark fantasy romance series with elements that may be triggering to some readers. Please be sure to check the content information. Your mental health matters. While the series is interconnected with other series in the Chaosverse, it can be read on its own. It will have it's own wrapped up conclusion, and the series can be read in any order. There is a "Where to Start" page on the author's website to help you choose the best path for you. Tortured Souls will end on a cliffhanger.