
![[ENG DUB] The Kiss Was Just the First Step](https://acfs3.goodshort.com/dist/src/assets/images/pc/common/f901131c-default-book-cover.png)
Serena Rivers spends three years in prison for a crime she didn't commit and uses every single day of it. She trains under four of the most formidable masters the underworld has ever produced and walks out as something entirely different from the woman who walked in. On her first day of freedom she corners the cold prison warden Xavier Stone against the water dungeon wall and kisses him without apology. He is her insurance policy and she knows it. Outside, the fake heiress has stolen her shares, her younger brother demands she kneel, and her former fiance has already moved on with a new bride. She tears up the rejection notice on the spot. Moments later, the Stone family motorcade arrives, the warden reveals himself as the family patriarch, and he shows up with a hundred billion in betrothal gifts and absolutely no intention of letting anyone touch her again. Together, they dismantle every person who had a hand in her three lost years.

On her coronation day, Empress Yedda Lara orders her betrothed, Ronan Vance, thrown into the furnace for allegedly draining the empire's dragon vein. Ten years ago, Ronan actually tore out his own dragon core to seal the demons beneath them, but now, he stands branded a traitor.Before he can burn, the ancient Vowstone shatters, unleashing memories that expose the truth to the entire court: it was Ronan who saved Yedda's life as a child, sacrificing his blood, his horns, and his power to protect her, while the true villain, Chancellor Cyrus, stole her memories and framed him.As her hatred shatters into agonizing guilt, the dragon vein begins to die. Desperate and broken, the empress falls to her knees, begging the man she just condemned to save them all.