Reunion

Silk and Steel #4.5

by Ariana Nash

After a vicious storm delivers Eroan and Lysander's battered ship to the new world, where elves are in power and dragons must follow the law, the peace seems almost too good to be true.

Until Lysander ends up on the wrong side of those laws, and discovers the real reason Eroan brought him half way around the world: The brother he thought was dead, is very much alive.

***

Akiem is missing. Zane fears he knows why.

The infamous assassin Eroan Ilanea and his dragon, Lysander, did not come in peace. They came to upset everything Zane and Akiem have created, and for revenge.

Zane isn't about to let them hurt Akiem. He'll stand for his dragon, and for what's right, even if he doesn't stand a chance, because love is always worth fighting for.

***

Lysander and Eroan, Akiem and Zane. They'll fight for each other, and for love. But now their love faces its hardest test yet.

Will they overcome the horrors of their past to fight for a better future or will Akiem's past (and the truth of who he really is) be too terrible to forgive?

***

Reunion is a 25,000 word novella set in the Silk & Steel world. It should be read after the main novels in the series, including The Black Prince, Silk & Steel #4.

Genres: Fantasy, M M Romance, Dragons, Romance, LGBT, Shapeshifters, Novella

Unknown Binding

First published November 27, 2020

About the author

Born to wolves, Ariana Nash only ventures from the Cornish moors when the moon is fat and the night alive with myths and legends. She captures those myths in glass jars and returning home, weaves them into stories filled with forbidden desires, fantasy realms, and wicked delights.

Her debut novel Silk & Steel hit Amazon's:

#1 LGBT Bestsellers Horror
#1 LGBT Bestsellers Fantasy
#1 LGBT Fantasy Hot New Releases
#1 LGBT Horror Hot New Releases - for 3 months!

Join her Goodreads group here: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/...

Sign up to her newsletter here: https://www.subscribepage.com/silk-steel

Reviews

[Ariana Nash]

OUT NOW!




UPDATE:

Lysander, Eroan, Akiem, Zane. Their lives aren't perfect, but they'll fight for them, for each other, and for love.

This novella brings them all together, and there's a lot to get through. Unanswered questions, old secrets that must be revealed, and fears for the future.

Is their love strong enough to withstand its hardest test so far?

It's been a joy writing in this world again. I love them, and already miss them. I hope you love reading this highly anticipated novella as much as I loved writing it.

***


It's in reviews, I routinely get emails about it, and pretty much everyone in my Facebook group wants it yesterday.

Finally, the reunion book is here!

[Monique · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 'My two sets of precious babies in one book!!' stars

I've been waiting for this novella since I finished The Black Prince and it's impossible to express my joy when I learnt that this story will be released. Because despite everyone getting their HEAs, I was awfully sad that Lysander and Akiem parted their ways so tragically, not even knowing if the other one is alive. So, I desperately NEEDED this closure.

Before I get all mushy and erupt into tears of joy, let me show you my love for this book in a way I do best - in quotes and art. Ladies and gentlemen - my two sets of precious babies
💚💙🖤💜

Zane tugged of his coat, tossed it on the counter, and sauntered up to his dragon. Looping his arms around him from behind, he tucked his jaw in against his neck and breathed him in. “I missed you.”

“You’re mine,” Akiem said.
Zane threw an arm around his neck, making sure he didn’t escape. He might have said something, but Akiem thrust deep, and there were no words for this feeling of having him so close, having him inside. Having all of him.
“I’m all yours,” Zane breathed.

“Where do you want me?” Eroan whispered against his ear, and Lysander shuddered, his growl becoming a groan. His rough jaw skimmed Eroan’s. “You, on me.”

“Eroan Ilanea, you’re my everything. I don’t need a dragon, I’m all-dragon with you. I’m not going anywhere, because I have everything I need right here. I love you now, I loved you yesterday, and I’ll love you a hundred years from now. I’m never going to stop loving you because you’re my heart and my soul and my reason for living.”

In conclusion, I smiled, I laughed, and I swooned. And most importantly, I fangirled like crazy. This was the end we were all waiting for 💚💙🖤💜

************************************


Can you be too happy?? I think I'm right now!!! And I'm too excited to write anything!! RTC when I calm down a little!! YAY!!!!!!

[Lucie V. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I will never have enough of them. 🖤

Never.

Ever.

After hearing rumors about "The Black Prince" living in America, Eroan convinces Lysander to hop on a boat and go explore what's on the other side of the sea (without telling Lysander the true reason behind this expedition). When they arrive, they are met by a very suspicious and almost hostile Zane that is ready to do anything to protect his black dragon from the famous dragon killer, Eroan Illanea.

“You know, some people appear strong, when inside they’re crumbling,” Zane said.

I prefer Lysander and Eroan over Akiem and Zane, but I still love Zane and Akiem, even more so after rereading The Black Prince for the second time, so I was suuuuuper happy to see them all again, even if it was only for a (way too short) novella. I did enjoy Zane's overprotective side when it comes to Akiem and Akiem's feelings, and of course, there was smut in this novella so it's even better.

Lysander sighed and freed his brother, hastily wiping tears from his face. “They’ll be insufferable now.” He tilted his head toward the bar where two of the finest elves in all the known worlds patiently waited for their dragons to get their shit together.

While this novella was not really necessary in the sense that it's not really an elaborate story with a plot or intrigue, it is a nice closure to the adventure that was this series, and to Lysander and Akiem's tumultuous relationship, and it was sweet to see the four main characters together.

“The streets here are real narrow,” Lysander showed him a gap between his hands, “and I hadn’t planned on shifting where I did. I tried to turn and got wedged between two buildings.”
Eroan poked his tongue into his cheek. “I see.”
“It’s not funny.” His smile said otherwise.
“What did Akiem do?”
“Stared, like I was a fucking idiot.”
Eroan snorted a laugh.
“Then he roared… the whole territorial thing.”
“And you—?”
“I sneezed. It’s the grass.”
Eroan laughed harder. “He was proclaiming himself the victor and you sneezed at him?”
“It’s not funny.”
“No,” he swallowed most of the laugh but some still slipped through, “of course not.”

I ADORED this series, and I am already eager to re-read it in the future! I most definitely recommend it to any M/M romance lover, dragon shifters, elves, and heart-pounding adventures full of feelings and angst. 💚


0.5 Sealed With a Kiss ⭐⭐⭐.5
1. Silk & Steel ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5
2. Iron & Fire ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3. Blood & Ice ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
3.5 Lost & Found ⭐⭐⭐
4. The Black Prince ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐


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[moonlight ☾ [semi-hiatus] · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Eroan Ilanea, you’re my everything. I don’t need a dragon, I’m all-dragon with you. I’m not going anywhere, because I have everything I need right here. I love you now, I loved you yesterday, and I’ll love you a hundred years from now, until you’re as old as that ancient Order elf in Ashford and I’m so old I’ll frighten all the little elflings with inappropriate war stories.”

this was the perfect conclusion for my two loves, Lysander/Eroan and Akiem/Zane. 🥺

i loved how there was finally closure between Lysander and Akiem and how these two broken dragons who have suffered enough and deserve nothing but happiness and peace have found the love they needed in Eroan and Zane. 🤍

[Louise H's Book Thoughts · Rating 5 out of 5]

"You know I'll always keep you safe," he told the wind, hoping that wherever Akeim was, he'd hear him in his heart and come home.

This is the much longed for icing on the cake of the Silk & Steel series, where the dragon brothers are, as the title suggests, reunited. Of course it isn’t a simple as seeing one another and falling into hugs and back slaps. After all Lysander is an Emerald and Akiem has been conditioned since birth to hate, and kill, them.


Also Zane has heard about Eroan, and he isn’t happy to see his fellow elf. So in typical Ariana Nash style the path to peace involves lots of tail biting, some thrown punches and bruised egos. Plus an allergy to the grass. We are also treated to some incredibly hot moments alongside sweet and tender scenes too.

And now he truly was caught, and he couldn't think of anywhere else in all his travels he'd rather be, than pinned beneath Lysander, the Dragon King.

I loved this book, absolutely adored it because Eroan, Lysander, Akiem and Zane all have a space in my heart. I hated it too, despite it being everything I wanted it felt like a final goodbye to these guys that I’m STILL not quite ready to let go of. It simply means I’ll have to re-read the entire series, so that I can enjoy their amazing love stories all over again.

with all of him spread on the bed, he was a gift Eroan struggle not to unwrap.

Ariana Nash had me hooked from the first line to last in this novella, she stirred my emotions and made my heart bleed yet another time for the damaged little boy that is Akiem. I’m so glad he got to find his peace of heart and mind.


Of course we now need to see Akeim to show Zane his place of birth. 😉

[Julia (bookish.jka) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, let's get this straight right from the get-go, readers of Ariana Nash's Silk & Steel series are NEVER going to have enough of these boys, and this world. That's a given. But the Reunion novella goes some way towards giving us all the (partial) closure we so desperately needed. It's just not enough💕.

In Reunion, we finally see the delicious dragon brothers Lysander and Akiem reunite in the New world, whilst their equally delicious (and suspicious) elven partners Eroan and Zane dance around each other, as they try to facilitate the tempestuous meeting.

Typically, things don't go smoothly between the boys, and of course there is still a very real dragon threat hanging over them all.

Whilst there's only so much that can be covered in a novella, we do get everything we wanted from Reunion, with my personal highlights including:

💜 the passion 🔥🔥🔥🔥 between Eroan and Lysander/Zane and Akiem still burning brightly;

💜 some fabulous banter between Zane and Lysander; and

💜 an inopportune sneezing fit...😜

With the engaging and familiar writing style you know you're going to get from Ariana Nash', this novella is a 'must have' in your Silk & Steel library.

And if it's not enough to slake your thirst for the boys, then now's the time to re-read the entire series from book one 😍

It's a fabulous 5 ✨✨✨✨✨ read from me.

[Ursy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't realised how much I needed reconciliation between brothers until Ariana gave us this novella! It was a missing piece for Lysander and Akiem finally have a chance for a peaceful future.

Akiem lifted his gaze and found his brother’s green eyes. They’d been the first thing he’d seen when Lysander had hatched from his egg. He’d thought them pretty.

A huge black dragon glided toward them, so big its wings blotted out the setting sun. A broad grin lifted Lysander’s lips. His brother really was magnificent.

💕Lysander💚&Eroan💙
💕Akiem🖤&Zane🧡

I’m never going to stop loving you because you’re my heart and my soul and my reason for living.

Thank you, Ariana, this novella is a cherry on top of an amazing Silk&Steel series💖
For the record... I don't mind at all if the cake has more than one cherry...

[Princess under cover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Was hoping Lysander would have hotter sex with E, but since I never warmed to E, whatevs.

I didn't recall liking Zane this much, but I really liked him so much better in this book.

Akiem is his whiny, weepy self... but I like the tortured heroes so OK.

AND OF COURSE, MY TRUE LOVE-- ❤️ 💗 💘 💖 💕 LYSANDER BABY!! HOW I LOVE THEE! His humor despite everything. His overall attitude toward life. His ability to love the stick-up-his-ass Eoran... I love him so. Too good for this world!

ANywho. It was good. A great little bite-sized treat. Wish I didn't have to pay for it... tied the loose ends up nicely.

[Elena Rodríguez · Rating 4 out of 5]

“I should have seen it. She ruined us both”.

Este relato ha sido y será sumamente necesario para cerrar esta saga. Me ha gustado mucho. Me ha calentado el corazón.

Ojalá más.

[Jewel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks for this! Reunion is a short, easy read. Lysander and Akiem needed some closure and now they have it.

[Achim · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
It's like Julia wrote: fans of Silk & Steel won't get enough of those guys and I'm happy Ariana Nash gave them and us this kind of closure. Yes, it's short. Yes, it's completely missing the trademark darkness of the series and yes, it's not much more than meeting each other, struggle with their past (in case of the dragons) and their relationship anxiousness (in case of the elves) and finally fix everything as much as it fixable before each couple is going separate ways again. All 4 are equally important and get their on-page time and Nash manages to let their individuality shine and be part of the healing process without a trace of blandness or making it repetitive. So yes, it might be more for the fans of the series but those shouldn't miss it ... and of course the rounding up to 4 stars makes it clear that I'm a fan.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s done😭🤧 I need more books 😭I binged this series in a week and now I have to go back to reality 😥 I’m gonna miss these characters so so much. I don’t read many high fantasy books anymore but this series was wonderful from the first book ♥️💛❤️

[Pingmg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect from start to finish. This final book tied up everything with an unforgettable ending for Eroan, Lysander, Akiem and Zane.❤️ I can’t say this enough, read the whole series, 💯highly recommend!

[Sara XuHerondale · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straight up coke for my heart, I loved everything about this.

[Bookreader87(Amanda) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Brother's reunited

3.5 stars

I was waiting for a story where the brothers reunited.
Eroan and Lysander are still the top couple in this series.
Not having them in Akiem's book pushed aside all the wrong he did. But bringing them together opened the doors back up. I didn't like Zane or Akiem very much in this one. I think Akiem was forgiven to easily tbh

[Joyfully Jay · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Joyfully Jay review.

5 stars

Silk and Steel is one of my favorite series. My reading definitely leans heavier to contemporary, but this dark fantasy series captures my imagination again and again. The series had mostly resolved except for the issues between Lysander and his brother, Akiem, and this is definitely the book I needed and definitely the book the characters needed as well.

It was incredibly easy to fall back into this world and Nash’s world building skills remain superior. The relationship between Lysander and Akiem runs through this entire series and there is so much hurt and so much betrayal and so much blood that has spilled between the brothers, it’s difficult to imagine a way through all of it. Told at times from all four points of view, Nash perfectly blends them all and weaves some closure for the brothers and shines light on new beginnings for the couples. There is a little bit of everything in this shorter book as the men fight, love, and reveal deeply hidden secrets.

Read Michelle's review in its entirety here.

[Jacqueleen the Reading Queen♡ · Rating 5 out of 5]

“What we have, it’s enough.”


Let me start by saying this. This book my friends is what one would call a gift. It's the Happily Ever After us readers always dreamed about when thinking of Lysander and Eroan or Akiem and Zane. It was everything I ever hoped it would be and more. There was reconciliation between two dragons I've come to adore. There were secrets exposed. There was also two feisty elves who would do anything to protect the dragons they love. My favorite of all however, is that there was an abundance of sweet feelings involved which we don't often get to see much of in an Ariana Nash book. It was the best possible surprise I could ever get. When you read it, savor every page for the gift is it because it goes much too quickly.

[Sailor Neptuno · Rating 5 out of 5]

“You are not who I pictured Akiem might fall for, but you’re absolutely what he needs.”

The perfect wrap up for this amazing series ♥. Though, if Ariana Nash wants to release new books about this world, I wouldn’t complain at all. I could never have enough of these men (well,actually elves and dragons but you got it lol).



After thinking Blood & Ice was the last time we were going to see Lysander and Eroan, I cannot put into words how wonderful it was being able to read about them again. Loved the way their relationship keeps growing in a realistic way, with arguments and disagreements. Such a powerful couple.

And what can I say about Akiem and Zane? The dragon brother that stole our hearts in The Black Prince and his loyal elf. Akiem really needed this reunion to make amends with himself. I wish we could see them in the future visiting the old world, I think it’d be the next step for Akiem to finally heal.

[Sweety · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had really, truly hoped that this would redeem Akiem in my eyes, because I STILL can't stand him but nope.
Zane pissed me off to no end with his "how could anyone hate Akiem?" Well, Lysander has so pretty fucking good reasons. And like, I get it, Akiem has changed but that doesn't erase the bad he has done and Lysander is still entitled to being angry. Zane acts as though Lysander is just unreasonable which makes no sense to me?? Not to mention, Akiem is always the one attacking but somehow Zane makes him out to be innocent? Poor little thing? The absolute nerve.
On Akiem's side... well, the whole "I'm bronze poor little me, you have to forgive all the horrible things I've ever done to you now because... well I'm bronze" isn't good enough for me. Like it's literally the only excuse he gave?
Anyway. Still don't like Akiem. The hypocrisy was too much for me. Still completely in love with Lysander and Eroan though. Eroan trying to be romantic? Yes, please. I died. Lysander's speech at the end? Brilliant. Eroan turning murderous whenever his dragon is in danger? I want more of that. I suppose Akiem and Zane are cute too, but honestly, it's nothing compared to Lysander and Eroan.

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ahhhhhhhh ❤️🥹 så fint avslut på den här serien.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was lovely to have the brothers get their own closure. That long awaited "hash it all out" conversation. And we get a peek to the happily ever after of both, which I appreciate

[★ Mila!⭑ · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭒๋࣭𝙏𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙬𝙖𝙨 𝙨𝙤 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩 😭

╰┈➤ Lysander ⋆ Eroan and Zane ⋆ Akiem are so 𝙥𝙚𝙧𝙛𝙚𝙘𝙩, I'll never get over it.

[Shan( Shans_Shelves) 💜 · Rating 5 out of 5]

All authors should write little epilogues that see all the characters happy and living their best life! This was WONDERFUL.

Series review

Silk and Steel- 3 stars

Iron and fire - 3.5 stars

Blood and ice- 3 stars

The Black Prince- 4 stars

Reunion- 5 stars

From the first book The Silk and Steel series is WILD and that’s not just because of the dragons. It’s Grimdark fantasy at it’s darkest but there’s also the slow burn romance between Lysander and Eroan, and complex characters that draw you in.

I know for me personally- I couldn’t help but get attached and even when the pacing and world building drove me around the bend- I needed to see how their stories ended. Then there was Akiem the lesser villain of book one and two but still a villain- that is until his story changes. Akiem’s character growth was my favourite and the Black Prince(book 4) was worth the pain of the first three!

Reunion tied everything up and I LOVED it. The end of this book left me feeling ecstatic, that after all the pain- the characters have their definite happy ever after and I loved that Akiem and Lysander got their time to talk. After everything they put each other through- the brothers aren’t best friends but they’re at peace with each other and some of their moments were hilarious. Especially when Lysander finds out his brother- who HATES ELVES- has fallen completely head over heels for one feisty elf!


Overall- If you like Grimdark fantasy and enjoy books that really REALLY put the characters through it before they get their HEA- top that off with of course, the slow burn romance, sassy characters, enemies to lovers, and elves falling for the dragons who hunt them- well- this series is for you!! Though please be mindful of the trigger warnings(especially for books 1 and 2).

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

When insecure Eroan said:

“I’ll love Lysander for as long as he’ll have me.”

And then a few moments later when Lysander said:

“Eroan Ilanea, you’re my everything. I don’t need a dragon, I’m all-dragon with you. I’m not going anywhere, because I have everything I need right here. I love you now, I loved you yesterday, and I’ll love you a hundred years from now, until you’re as old as that ancient Order elf in Ashford and I’m so old I’ll frighten all the little elflings with inappropriate war stories.
I’ll love you until all the other dragons are gone and the world is as it was, with billions of humans and hidden elves and houses and cities, and it’s just you and me, wondering when we got old. I’ll love you until your Ashford tree is as tall as the highest mountain. I’m never going to stop loving you because you’re my heart and my soul and my reason for living.”

My heart just 😫😭🥰❤️❤️❤️❤️ I’ve learned to appreciate the characters more after finishing the series and I’m just sad this was not another whole 300+ page book, I wanted more interactions and sibling bonding and bro-in-law bonding, I would have loved had Seraph been with them and got to meet Akiem again TTATT
Gawd I’m so greedy but I got my closure with their reunion TTvTT

Steamy scenes were as always 😳😳😳😳

Adorkable Lysander <3 and Eroan trying the romance was relatable XD
I teared up with Akiem pouring his heart out and had to stop reading every other sentence cuz I was at work and didn’t want to have to explain my sobbing ass XD I got a bit mad at Zane in the beginning but he was only trying to protecc his dragon so all is forgiven lol

...I’m gonna miss them TTTTTvTTTTT

[Jacquie Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Series re-read needed

"I love you now, I loved you yesterday, and I’ll love you a hundred years from now" Lysander to Eroan
I'm not ashamed to say I cried because after 4.5 books I have an emotional connection to these characters and I'm sad that this is the end of their story.
It was the perfect ending though. The closure that the dragon brothers needed so they could each heal properly and move on with their elves.
To make me feel better, I'm going go read them all again!

[Mir · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve come to accept this author will never write anything where her character’s are together, just “being.”

That said, this is everything I needed for the series to feel complete! I am so glad to see Lysander and Akiem actually communicate.

Lysander being able to tell Akiem that Dokul is dead and gone forever was incredibly special.

I was so glad to see Lysander and Eroan happily in love and feeling peace. I will miss them, especially Eroan.

[Fani *loves angst* · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet :) Exactly what this series needed for closure. Loved seeing Lysander and Akiem find each other after all they went through.

[Misty Welchel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The conclusion I didn't know I needed. I love this world and these characters so much.

[Aayati Patel · Rating 4 out of 5]

i wish this was a whole book

[ReadingDiva Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this series and this book was the perfect conclusion.