Dear Reader,

I started writing this book during nanowrimo in 2023. It was not my nanowrimo project. I was working on another project and this one popped into my head. So, I took two weeks hiatus to vomit out 20,000 words. Then I went back to my "real" project and set this one aside (and I wept because I wanted to keep going). For years, my fingers itched to pick it back up, but I was deep in the Dragonwall trenches. Sooo, I promised myself that as a reward, as soon as I wrote "the end" on Dragonwall, I'd let myself pick this back up again.

Instead of taking a break after writing "the end" in May 2025, I jumped feet first into this. I was just TOO excited. I took the 20,000 words previously written and started expanding. And here we are.

I wanted to write a story perfect for fans of The Gladiator and Throne of Glass. I wanted a story for readers who loved Aelin but wished she'd never had to "choose" between anyone in the cadre. IYKYK. Amirite???? 

Thus this story was born. I am marketing it as:

The Gladiator meets Throne of Glass but make it Why Choose. If you do not know what "Why Choose" romance is. STOP. Please do not read any further. Please go and do some research. Why choose romance is NOT for everyone. In fact, it appeals to a select group of us unhinged individuals who enjoy falling in love multiple times in a single story. It's for us readers who wish our main characters never had to choose between love interests.

Now, on to the more formal serious stuff:

Their Warrior is the first book in an ongoing adult fantasy romance series featuring mature themes and explicit content. This story contains elements that some readers may find disturbing or triggering. Please review the content warnings below to make an informed decision about whether this book is right for you. Your mental health and reading comfort matter. There's no shame in setting a book aside if the content doesn't feel safe for you.

The Thirteenth House Series contains the following:

VIOLENCE & TRAUMA

Gladiatorial combat and arena fighting with graphic violence; Discussion of childhood trauma and family loss; Physical abuse and punishment scenes; Battle sequences with injury and death; Torture and interrogation (off-page references)

SLAVERY & POWER DYNAMICS

Slavery as a central plot elementPower imbalances between charactersForced servitude and lack of agencyPhysical markers of enslavementThemes of ownership and property

SEXUAL CONTENT

Explicit sexual scenes between consenting adults; Reverse harem/why choose romance (one woman, multiple male partners); Heat cycle/biological imperative content; Voyeurism; Dominance and submission themes; Consensual rough play

EMOTIONAL THEMES

Abandonment and betrayal trauma; Survivor's guilt; Trust issues and emotional walls; Self-worth struggles; Found family dynamics

FANTASY VIOLENCE

Magical creatures and monster encounters; Use of magic in combat situations; Death and injury from supernatural causes

POSITIVE REPRESENTATION

This series features:

Polyamorous relationships portrayed as healthy and valid; Trauma recovery through love and support; Strong female protagonist who fights for her agency; Consent emphasized even in power-dynamic situations; Found family and healing themes

READING EXPERIENCE

Their Warrior is intended for readers 18+ who enjoy:

Epic fantasy with romantic elementsCharacter-driven emotional journeysReverse harem romanceEnemies-to-lovers dynamicsFound family themes

The story focuses on healing, growth, and the power of chosen family while acknowledging the real impact of trauma without glorifying it. There will be political themes throughout, which will get stronger after the first couple of books.

If you're struggling with any of the themes in this book, please reach out to appropriate support resources. You matter, and help is available.

Chapters will update every Monday and Friday beginning on June 30th, 2025 at 12pm EST.

Happy reading!

—Mel