These Wicked Gardens: A Standalone Gothic Fantasy Romance Novella (The Midnight Republic)

She was always strange—too quiet, too clever, too otherworldly. So when the monster came, they knew exactly who to blame. Ever since the beast razed her village, Beatrice has lived in exile, tending the vineyard that produces the most coveted wine in the land. But she rarely sets foot beyond the vines, not when the villagers still believe she is the one who called the monster in the first place. To keep herself company, she spins stories of adventure, danger, and romance. Then Gabriel arrives, a silver-tongued merchant with a face that's all too familiar. He claims he only wants to buy her wine, but Beatrice recognizes him—not from her past, but from the stories she’s only ever told herself. When the line between man and monster blurs, she’ll have to decide which one she’s truly been waiting for. These Wicked Gardens is a standalone novella set in the world of The Midnight Republic. It can be read independently, without prior knowledge of the main series. View Less