Love-Lies-Bleeding — Michael Alexander

Love-Lies-Bleeding launches the Legends of Elysium series, one that explores the lives of the supporting characters who drive events in Michael Alexander's Thieves of Elysium saga. Here readers meet Conradin, the tragic leader of an Elysium Shadow Team.

Rebecca, the daughter of a prominent Guild Council Member, disappears through the Gate of Charon into the land of Mythos on her search for the ancient and symbolic Amaranth flower known as "Love-Lies-Bleeding." She plans to offer the flower to her future husband but has instead fallen into the hands of Therion, an ambitious and ruthless Satyr chieftain.

Conradin defies his superiors to mount a rescue mission. Accompanied by his loyal Shadow Team, Conradin infiltrates the Satyr ranks -- only to discover that Therion plans to ally with the mysterious Veradunii Warlocks to overthrow Elysium itself. And Rebecca plays a vital role in that alliance…as a blood sacrifice to consummate the unholy union.

Killing Therion will end a war before it begins but requires the sacrifice of the one person Conradin values the most. Duty has driven the Shadow Team member all his life. Can he honor that duty at the loss of his own love?