In the crimson shadow of the blood moon, Iris Rowland clutches the sealed summons that binds her to the defilement rite. Her thorn tattoo marks her as the vessel who must obey every command Fiona Shelton issues, her body offered in ritual exposure before the court to secure the throne.

Fiona's scarred hand settles at her waist, terse and unyielding, each order stripping away another layer of Iris's pride. The warrior's dominance promises protection yet carries the risk of fresh ruin, their shared hunger twisting the required degradation into something neither can control.

As the eclipse peaks, one question remains: will the rite's public surrender bind them or leave Iris discarded once more?