Bonded

BONDED A Dark Fantasy Novel by Alex Aromi Rain falls for three weeks straight at the start of every year—a season of silence, blood, and memory. Yujing Feng was born to a throne of stone, the first son of Emperor Feng of Zhanshi. But when his bastard brother Jinwu was cast into the streets, Yujing made a choice that changed both their fates: he ran. For nine years, the two brothers lived hidden in the village of Yuhe—until hunger, sickness, and whispers of war drove them back toward the place they once escaped. Now, dragging his brother through a storm of cold mud and bitter memories, Yujing returns to the gates of Zhanshi. But their home is no longer the same—and neither is he. Haunted by the past and branded by the emperor’s scorn, Yujing offers a trade pact that could save three villages. In return, he asks for the one thing he swore never to need again: training. What follows is a brutal descent into pain, politics, and power, where loyalty is tested, and blood means nothing without sacrifice. Across the forest, in the rain-soaked realm of the Spirit Walkers, young warriors prepare for their own trials—seeking the strength of animal spirits in a land where mercy is weakness, and survival is earned in teeth and claw. As tensions rise and paths converge, the question remains: Can blood bond two souls in a world built to break them? ⚠ Reader Discretion Advised 16+ BONDED is a dark fantasy novel that contains mature themes and intense content, including: Graphic depictions of violence and war Child endangerment and emotional trauma Strong sexual content Strong language and abusive parental dynamics Death, blood, and battle-related injuries Psychological distress and emotional manipulation