To make a promise is to be bound by oath to your word—for the honourable, at least. But many are not honourable. Especially not in this book. In the face of love, lust, envy, fear, anger, and deception, binding words are easily cast aside.
The driving force behind this anthology was to explore what we fondly call ‘our happy dark hearts.’ After all, while hope and heroes and happy endings are all lovely things to read about, not everyone is a hero. Not everyone makes the ‘right’ choice. Not everyone can hope for happiness.
Now, the characters we created aren’t necessarily villains, but we can assure you that we, as the authors, have indeed taken lessons from some. After all, who better to learn from than the ones who never get happy endings?
The authors contributing to this anthology were asked to create gripping stories incorporating both an oath and a betrayal, not necessarily in that order. They were also tasked to weave stories that enrapture readers with fantastical elements of deliciously dark fantasy.
From tales of dryads and jinni to stories of dragons and wizards, you’ll partake in a journey that will leave you questioning characters’ morals and actions, and perhaps sympathizing with their cause.
So grab your cloak and lantern, turn the page, and descend into the depths of darkness with us.
S. K. SAYARI
2020
THE PATH OF DARKNESS
Here Death walks among us,
And jinni lose their hearts.
Hearts are cursed in blood,
And princes play their parts.
The witch-dragon approaches;
The sirens lay in wait;
A bounty hunter reels at
The twist in her own fate.
A hidden song is calling—
We’ll dance into the night.
The shadows keep us warm,
And the Darkness brings us light.
Loved ones haunt our dreams
While we bury our old ghosts,
Trading brand new love
For the one we needed most.
Blood drips from the walls
And the moon is out of sight;
You won’t know who to trust
When the Scourge rains from the skies.
Strength of will is tested
As new promises are forged,
But bonds are meant to be broken—
Dear reader, you’ve been warned.
A. M. DILSAVER
2021