Cursed Hearts and Hidden Longings

Cerys, a descendant of Venus's line, is a matchmaker cursed to never find love herself. She juggles her business, Yearning Hearts, and her own heartbreak, especially over Devereaux Vincori, a detective she loves but must keep at arm's length for his safety. Her curse, placed by a jealous witch, means any romantic connection ends in disaster. Cerys's world is filled with magical descendants, each with their own powers and legacies, but her own heart is a battlefield. She's determined to break her curse, even if it means making dangerous deals with the city's most powerful and corrupt families—the Twelve. Her longing for love is matched only by her resolve to protect those she cares about, even if it means sacrificing her own happiness.

Love's Labyrinth of Secrets

Cerys's life is a maze of secrets. She's forced to spy on the Twelve, the ruling families of Nepos, in exchange for a chance to break her curse. Her best friend, Soleil, a siren with her own family baggage, stands by her side. Together, they navigate treacherous alliances, business rivalries, and the ever-present threat of exposure. Cerys's heart aches for Devereaux, but she pushes him away, convinced it's the only way to keep him safe. The city's undercurrents swirl with betrayal, and every step Cerys takes to free herself only entangles her further in the Twelve's web. The cost of love, she learns, is often secrecy and sacrifice.

The Bow, the Break, the Betrayal

When Cerys finally allows herself to feel love for Devereaux, she's granted a magical bow—a sign of her true power as a heart elemental. But when she pushes Devereaux away again, the bow vanishes, leaving her bereft. The loss is a physical ache, a symbol of her self-betrayal and the price of denying her heart. Soleil tries to comfort her, but Cerys is haunted by the sense that Venus's power is withdrawing. The bow's disappearance is a warning: love denied is power lost. Cerys must choose between safety and the risk of loving fully, knowing that either path could break her.

Allies in the Shadows

Cerys and Soleil join a clandestine alliance led by Fenton, a vampire with his own vendettas against the Twelve. The group is a motley crew: a unicorn banker, a goblin journalist, a hacker, and Devereaux himself, all united by a desire to topple the corrupt families. Each member brings unique skills and wounds. Their first mission is to rescue a captive daemon, but trust is fragile and motives are murky. Cerys's role as a potential double agent is both asset and liability. The alliance's hope rests on their ability to work together, even as the Twelve's power looms over them all.

The Alliance's First Test

The alliance's rescue mission is a harrowing ordeal. They infiltrate the Dethnels' underwater estate, facing monstrous krakens and labyrinthine defenses. The cost is high: Fenton is killed, a stark reminder of the Twelve's ruthlessness. The daemon is freed, but the victory is bittersweet. Cerys is shaken by the violence and loss, and the alliance is left reeling. The mission exposes the depth of the Twelve's cruelty and the risks of rebellion. Cerys's resolve hardens—she will not let her friends die in vain, even as the danger grows.

Confessions in the Rain

After a confrontation with Devereaux, Cerys finally confesses her love for him in a rain-soaked park. The moment is raw and cathartic, breaking through years of fear and denial. The curse reacts violently, nearly killing her, but the truth is out: they love each other, and neither can bear to be apart. The bow returns, stronger than before, and Cerys feels Venus's power surge within her. The curse is loosened, but not broken. Love, she learns, is both her greatest strength and her greatest vulnerability.

Underworld Deals and Daemon Chains

To break her curse, Cerys must make a deal with a daemon capable of traveling to the underworld. The daemon, Maligni, is himself a victim of the Twelve, held captive to control his wife, Gug. Cerys's compassion for their plight deepens her resolve. She arranges for Maligni's freedom in exchange for his help, knowing that the path to breaking her curse runs through the darkest places. The alliance's fates are now intertwined, and every bargain brings new risks and revelations.

Rivalries, Loans, and Lost Feathers

Soleil's rivalry with Bain, the unicorn banker, is both professional and deeply personal. Their banter masks a growing attraction, complicated by old wounds and pride. Soleil's quest to recover her stolen feathers—symbols of her power and autonomy—mirrors Cerys's own struggle for freedom. The friends support each other through heartbreak, business challenges, and the machinations of the Twelve. Their bond is a lifeline, proof that friendship can be as vital as romantic love.

The Revolution's Gathering Storm

The alliance works to gather evidence of the Twelve's crimes, uncovering a plot to addict the city to Shade, a magical drug. They sabotage the Twelve's operations, risking exposure at every turn. Cerys's matchmaking business becomes both cover and battleground, as she uses her powers to spread love and hope in a city poisoned by fear. The revolution gains momentum, but the Twelve strike back, targeting the alliance's loved ones and threatening everything Cerys holds dear.

Mothers, Matches, and Old Wounds

Cerys is surprised to find herself matching Devereaux's mother, Evania, with an old family friend. The process forces her to confront her own fears about love, loss, and moving on. Devereaux's quest to uncover the truth about his father's death runs parallel to Cerys's journey, both seeking closure and justice. The past is never far behind, and healing old wounds becomes as important as fighting new battles.

The Price of Protection

The Twelve escalate their attacks, forcing Cerys and her friends to make impossible choices. Soleil is arrested on false charges, Bain is forced to confront his past, and Cerys is captured and tortured for her secrets. The cost of protection is high—freedom, dignity, even life itself. Yet through pain and loss, the bonds between the rebels only strengthen. They learn that true love and friendship are worth any price, and that hope can survive even in the darkest dungeons.

The Twelve's Deadly Invitation

The Twelve invite the alliance to a grand wedding, intending to use it as a trap to destroy their enemies and unveil their new love-manipulating product. Cerys, Soleil, Austin, and the others are paraded as trophies and warnings. The event is a spectacle of power and cruelty, but also the alliance's last, best chance to strike back. As the guests gather, old scores are settled, and the stage is set for a confrontation that will decide the fate of Nepos.

Dungeons, Dares, and Defiance

Cerys and Lerome, the griffin hacker, are imprisoned and tortured for information. The Twelve's cruelty is relentless, but Cerys refuses to break. With the help of unlikely allies—Mantel the brownie, Austin, and even a werewolf guard—she manages to smuggle out evidence and messages. The alliance's network of friendship and loyalty proves stronger than chains. Even in the depths of despair, Cerys's defiance burns bright.

The Power of Friendship

The alliance's greatest weapon is not magic or cunning, but the bonds of friendship and love that unite them. Cerys's matchmaking, Soleil's leadership, Bain's sacrifice, and the courage of every member create a force the Twelve cannot understand or control. The city's ordinary people, inspired by the rebels' example, begin to question and resist. The revolution is no longer just a secret—it's a movement.

The Curse Loosens, Love Deepens

With the daemon's help, Cerys finally breaks her curse, freeing herself to love Devereaux without fear. The moment is both triumphant and terrifying—freedom brings new possibilities and new responsibilities. Cerys and Devereaux's love, tested by fire, is now unbreakable. The alliance, battered but unbowed, prepares for the final confrontation with the Twelve, knowing that the fate of Nepos—and their own hearts—hangs in the balance.

Ribbons of Connection

Cerys discovers a new aspect of her power: the ability to see the ribbons of connection—love, friendship, family—that bind people together. This gift allows her to match people more perfectly, but also reveals the hidden loneliness and longing in the city. The sight of these bonds inspires her to create Yearning Harmony, a friendship agency, expanding her mission beyond romance. The power of connection, she realizes, is the true antidote to the Twelve's poison.

The Rescue Beneath the Surface

The alliance's underwater rescue of Maligni is a test of courage and teamwork. They face monstrous krakens, deadly traps, and the ever-present threat of betrayal. Fenton's death is a devastating blow, but the mission's success gives the rebels hope. The cost of freedom is high, but the alliance is more determined than ever to see justice done.

True Love's Declaration

Cerys and Devereaux's love, once forbidden, is now a source of strength for them both. Their relationship inspires those around them, proving that love can survive even the darkest trials. Soleil and Bain, too, find their way to each other, healing old wounds and forging a new future. The alliance's bonds are tested and strengthened, and together they prepare for the final battle.

The Heart Braking Arrow

Cerys receives a new, terrifying gift: the heart braking arrow, capable of severing a person's ability to love. The power is a heavy burden, and Cerys fears becoming judge and executioner. But when the time comes, she realizes that Venus's magic acts through her, not because of her. The arrow is used only on those who have truly forsaken love, and its judgment is final. The Twelve's leaders are struck down, their hearts emptied, and their reign ends.

The Wedding Trap

The Twelve's wedding is a trap, but also their undoing. The alliance, aided by unexpected allies and the power of love, turns the tables. Cerys's arrow brings down the Twelve, Soleil's thrall erases memories of Cerys's true power, and the city is freed from tyranny. The cost is high—lives lost, wounds that may never heal—but hope is reborn.

The Fall of the Twelve

The aftermath is a time of reckoning. The Twelve are tried and punished, their assets used to heal the city. Cerys and Devereaux, Soleil and Bain, Austin and his family, Gug and Maligni—all find new purpose and peace. The city's wounds begin to heal, and the power of love and friendship is celebrated. Cerys's matchmaking business thrives, and Yearning Harmony brings people together in new ways. The curse is broken, but the journey of the heart continues.

Aftermath and New Beginnings

Cerys and Devereaux move into her childhood home, Myrtle Manor, building a new life together. Soleil and Bain rule their unicorn herd, Austin finds peace, and the city's future is bright. The lessons of the past are not forgotten, but hope outweighs sorrow. Cerys's power is now a force for good, and she vows to use it wisely. The story ends not with an ending, but with a promise: together, always.

Together, Always

In the epilogue, Cerys and Soleil reflect on their journey from the gutters of Mercury's Bend to a life filled with love, friendship, and purpose. The city is changed, but so are they. The power of connection—romantic, platonic, familial—is the true magic that endures. Their story is a testament to the strength of the heart, the courage to love, and the unbreakable bonds that hold us together.

Characters

Cerys Concordia

Cerys is the heart and soul of the story—a descendant of Venus, cursed to never find love herself while helping others find theirs. Her role as a matchmaker is both vocation and prison, and her journey is one of self-discovery, sacrifice, and ultimately, liberation. Cerys is fiercely loyal, compassionate, and brave, but also haunted by self-doubt and the fear of losing those she loves. Her relationship with Devereaux is the emotional core of the novel, and her friendships, especially with Soleil, are her anchor. Cerys's power grows as she learns to embrace love, culminating in her wielding Venus's most potent gifts. Her arc is one of moving from self-denial to self-acceptance, from isolation to connection.

Devereaux Vincori

Devereaux is a descendant of Mars, a detective driven by the need to uncover the truth about his father's death and to protect those he loves. His berserker nature is both a source of strength and a curse, requiring constant vigilance and self-control. Devereaux's love for Cerys is deep and unwavering, and he is willing to risk everything for her. His journey is one of healing old wounds, finding peace, and embracing vulnerability. Devereaux's role as protector is challenged and redefined as he learns to accept help and to trust in love.

Soleil Hucs/Concordia

Soleil is Cerys's best friend and the story's other emotional anchor. A siren from one of the Twelve families, she is both powerful and deeply wounded by her family's cruelty. Soleil's journey is one of reclaiming her autonomy, healing from trauma, and learning to trust in love—both romantic (with Bain) and platonic (with Cerys). Her wit, strength, and loyalty make her indispensable to the alliance. Soleil's arc is about breaking free from her family's legacy and forging her own path as a leader and queen.

Bain Lecosta

Bain is a unicorn, banker, and eventual king of his herd. His moral rigidity and sense of justice are both his strength and his flaw, often leading to conflict with Soleil. Bain's journey is one of learning to balance duty with vulnerability, to accept love, and to fight for what matters. His relationship with Soleil is a slow-burn romance marked by banter, pride, and eventual surrender to true love. Bain's arc is about embracing connection and stepping into his role as a leader.

Fenton

Fenton is the founder of the alliance against the Twelve, driven by personal vendettas and a desire for justice. His cunning and ruthlessness are assets, but his inability to trust fully leads to his downfall. Fenton's death is a turning point for the alliance, galvanizing the rebels and underscoring the stakes of their fight. His legacy is one of sacrifice and the reminder that rebellion comes at a cost.

Gug G. Gregaggog

Gug is a goblin and journalist forced to work for the Twelve to protect her captive husband, Maligni. Her arc is one of courage, resilience, and the pursuit of truth. Gug's willingness to risk everything for love and justice makes her a key member of the alliance. Her eventual freedom and reunion with Maligni are hard-won victories.

Maligni Ammatus

Maligni is a daemon held captive by the Twelve, used to control Gug. His power to travel to the underworld is crucial to breaking Cerys's curse. Maligni's arc is one of redemption, as he seeks to atone for his father's crimes and his own complicity. His love for Gug and his willingness to help the alliance are central to the story's resolution.

Austin Lanaray

Austin is a phoenix caught in the Twelve's web, forced into a marriage with Smolder Cineres to protect his family. His arc is one of resistance, sacrifice, and eventual liberation. Austin's loyalty to the alliance and his willingness to risk everything for his loved ones make him a sympathetic and vital character.

Lerome

Lerome is the alliance's tech expert, a griffin with a sharp mind and a dry wit. His skills are crucial to gathering evidence and outmaneuvering the Twelve. Lerome's death is a devastating blow, a reminder of the alliance's vulnerability and the cost of rebellion.

Mantel ("The Renegade of Nepos")

Mantel is the unassuming but vital ally who uses her position as the Cinereses' gardener to aid the alliance. Her secret identity as "The Renegade of Nepos" allows her to smuggle evidence, provide aid, and tip the balance at crucial moments. Mantel's arc is one of quiet heroism and the power of small acts of resistance.

Plot Devices

The Curse and Its Consequences

The central plot device is Cerys's curse, which prevents her from finding love and serves as both obstacle and catalyst. The curse's loosening and eventual breaking are tied to Cerys's willingness to embrace vulnerability and risk. The curse is not just a magical barrier, but a metaphor for trauma, self-doubt, and the fear of connection. Its consequences—physical, emotional, and magical—drive the plot and character development.

The Twelve and Their Web of Power

The Twelve ruling families are the antagonistic force, wielding power through wealth, magic, and manipulation. Their interconnected schemes—addicting the city to Shade, controlling love, blackmail, and violence—create a web that ensnares the protagonists. The alliance's efforts to gather evidence, sabotage operations, and rescue captives are structured as a series of escalating missions, each revealing new layers of the Twelve's corruption.

The Alliance and the Power of Connection

The alliance is both a plot device and a thematic core. Its formation, growth, and struggles mirror the journey from isolation to connection. The alliance's diversity—different powers, backgrounds, and wounds—reflects the story's message that unity is strength. The alliance's victories and losses are marked by the deepening of bonds, the forging of trust, and the willingness to sacrifice for each other.

The Bow, the Arrow, and Venus's Judgment

Cerys's magical bow and the heart braking arrow are key plot devices, symbolizing the dual nature of love: its power to heal and to harm. The bow's appearance and disappearance are tied to Cerys's emotional state, while the arrow represents the ultimate judgment on those who forsake love. The use of these gifts is foreshadowed throughout, culminating in the story's climax.

Ribbons of Connection

Cerys's ability to see the ribbons of connection is both a narrative tool and a metaphor for the story's themes. The ribbons allow her to match people more perfectly, to see hidden bonds, and to understand the true nature of connection. This device reinforces the message that love is not just romantic, but encompasses all forms of human (and descendant) connection.

Foreshadowing and Narrative Structure

The story uses foreshadowing—through dreams, prophecies, and the sphinx's riddles—to build suspense and hint at future events. The narrative structure weaves together multiple arcs: Cerys's curse, the alliance's rebellion, the Twelve's schemes, and the personal journeys of each character. The emotional arc is as important as the plot, with moments of joy, heartbreak, and catharsis carefully balanced.

Analysis

Love & Heart Braking is a rich, multi-layered urban fantasy that uses the trappings of magic and romance to explore deeper themes of trauma, healing, and the power of connection. At its heart, the novel is about the courage to love in a world that punishes vulnerability, the necessity of friendship and found family, and the resilience required to challenge entrenched systems of power. The curse that binds Cerys is both literal and symbolic—a stand-in for the ways we are taught to fear intimacy, to protect ourselves by denying our needs, and to accept less than we deserve. The story's resolution is not just the defeat of the Twelve, but the breaking of internal chains: the willingness to risk, to trust, and to hope. The novel's lesson is clear: love—romantic, platonic, familial—is the true magic, the force that can topple tyrants, heal wounds, and create a better world. In a time when cynicism and isolation are easy refuges, Love & Heart Braking is a passionate argument for the messy, beautiful, and necessary work of opening our hearts.

Last updated: September 26, 2025