Cost of the Heart: Vol I Into the Fire
Cost of the Heart is a series of collected short stories that are romantic tragedies set in pasts and futures spanning the Orion Arm of the Milky Way.
Vol I Into the Fire, explores love in its most dangerous forms—from demons and medusas to emperors of the dead—where even the smallest spark of emotion can reshape the fate of galaxies. Due out this Summer 2026.
The opening is a haiku; “Into the Fire” followed by three short six line stories: “Clones of Love”, “Robots in Love”, and “Radar Love.”
Followed by three full length short stories:
“Demon Tears” – A succubus, born of hunger and ruin, dares to feel something pure… and risks becoming the very thing she was never meant to be.
Excerpt from “Demon Tears” copywrite June 2026.
Lilith, the succubus queen, finds she might just have a heart:
Crim stopped the car and turned it off. He turned to face Lilith, looking nervous.
“Lilith, I really enjoy spending time with you,” Crim said. “I was wondering if maybe we could do something else together like go to the park? I will make a picnic basket for us. I’m off work again tomorrow, so will sleep most of today, but we could have a morning picnic, if that would work for your schedule?
Lilith felt a single, strange thump, in her chest; just to the left of its center.
She smiled at him, feeling true warmth for the first time in her existence. Crim was laid bare to her and she saw him melt.
He reached out to her and kissed her deeply, then pulled away sharply.
Lilith could not grasp what had happened. Her mind reeled, this kiss had been so passionate and pure. This was new; like nothing she’d experienced before, and she wanted to feel it again. She reached out and grabbed Crim, pulling him to her with such suddenness and force that he was like a rag doll in her hands.
“Statue of Love” – An emissary descended from Medusa, ancient and alien, is seen—truly seen—by a human, and in that moment, everything she has endured fractures.
Excerpt from “Statue of Love” copywrite June 2026.
Captain Vi took the Emissary’s hand as she walked off the final step.
“Welcome to the Esteemed Host. The Human Empire’s finest diplomatic ship. We received your modest environmental requirements. You have a dedicated environment specialist during your stay.” With ending comment Captain Vi Talos made a slight head nod towards Danial’s location in the back of the room. The introduction went on from XO to the other delegates in the negotiations. Danial was happy to do his job in the background. No introductions were needed for him, he didn’t matter.
The captain and XO ushered the delegation towards the initial reception room. As they passed, Danial was mesmerized by the emissary, whose metallic multicolored long flowing gown clung here and there to reveal a shapely female curve. Her gait was slow and steady as she sauntered towards him. She turned and held his gaze through the sheer veil that fell to just above her nose, covering her eyes. Being from a heavy G planet, Daniel had thought she might be shorter, but she was the same height as him, roughly 1.7 meters. Thicker, though, in build and she could probably bench press him, he knew, given the gravity of her home planet.
“Heart of the Dead” – A lich emperor, undying ruler of an ancient galactic empire, discovers that not even death can silence the awakening of a heart—and that love may be the one power he cannot conquer.
Excerpt from “Heart of the Dead” copywrite June 2026.
Vincint began coughing, knowing that the spores would now be in his system: infecting him, killing him, then reanimating him. There was no antidote, the bug boys hadn’t wanted to make one. Didn’t see a need. Look what he’d done now. As he fell to his knees, he heard clashing of steel and fighting in the distance. Dizzy, but wanting to see, Vincint forced himself to stand up and look around the field. What he saw were not mindless flesh trees, but soldiers that were fighting to defend him. The Bazinti horde was being cut to pieces and rising back up to fight against their own.
His skin felt odd, crawling and burning and freezing all at the same time, then: nothing. No wind on his face, no grit on his skin, nothing but the pressure of the RPG launcher still in his hand. Then the ground exploded with artillery from his side. He stood there, feeling invincible and more alive than ever before. Finding a saber on the ground, then a working laz-pistol, Vincent worked his way through the living, creating an army of dead that followed him further into the enemy lines.
The Ashen Emperor sat on the throne, remembering that day.
Remember, there is a cruel and beautiful truth:
Love does not ask permission.
Love does not forgive weakness.
Love does not come without a cost.
Some hearts are not meant to beat.
They are meant to burn.
“Cost of the Heart: Vol I Into the Fire” is available for preorder now on Amazon Kindle, available for download and physical book Aug, 7th 2026.