Unrelenting Winds: A Lady of Darkness Novella

by Melissa K. Roehrich

For centuries, the Great War that divided the realm has been over. The Fae Courts and mortal lands alike have been rebuilding, trying to move forward in a world they no longer recognize. When the Wind Princess requests a meeting with Prince Briar Drayce, ruler of the Water Court, he naturally accepts, intent on keeping good relations with the other rulers of the realm. But when the quirky and aloof princess makes an odd request of him, he starts to question just how much the winds have whispered to her. He’s always kept the peace, but he’s on the brink of breaking laws of old. Now he must decide if it’s worth the risk of angering the Fae Courts, the realm, the gods, and more.

While this novella takes place before the events of the Lady of Darkness series, it is recommended you read it after completing the series. If you choose to read it before, please know that while novella does have a happy-for-now ending, you see Briar and Ashtine again in the Darkness series where you learn the fate of their forbidden relationship.

This work was previously published in the Mid-Summer Nights Anthology.

Genres: Fantasy, Romantasy, Novella, Fantasy Romance, Fae, Dark Fantasy, Romance

148 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Melissa is a dark fantasy romance author who loves coffee, dragons, and constantly rearranging her bookshelves. She spends her time writing, reading, and homeschooling her three boys in the Middle-of-Nowhere, North Dakota, where she lives with her boys, husband, dogs, multiple barn cats, and chickens on a small farmstead. She is constantly trying to convince her husband they need to add goats and ducks to the mix, and one day, she'll succeed.

She's not here much, so if you're looking to connect, check out the following:

*Facebook Reader Group: Melissa's Dragon Cave
*Discord: https://discord.gg/GTY757MCXF
*Instagram: @melissa_k_roehrich
*TikTok: @authormelissakroehrich

Reviews

[Kiley · Rating 5 out of 5]

We need an entire book on these two, this novella was not enough!

[Sabra Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Is a novella supposed to hurt me emotionally this bad??
Ashtine and Briar tore my heart out as side characters in LoD, now it hurts worse.

“You will be content with stolen moments and secret meetings?” she asked. “I will steal whatever time I can from fate if it means being with you,” Briar replied, taking her hand in his and bringing her fingertips to his lips. “I will never regret a moment of it.”

As always, thank you for the trauma.

Sawyer; best little brother in the entire realm. 🌊

[Brooke Kathrene · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think Briar and Ashtine just became my favorite LOD couple

[Danielle Pulliam · Rating 5 out of 5]

**𝑹𝑬𝑽𝑰𝑬𝑾** 𝑻𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒃𝒚 𝑴𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒂 𝑲. 𝑹𝒐𝒆𝒉𝒓𝒊𝒄𝒉 (𝑳𝒂𝒅𝒚 𝒐𝒇 𝑫𝒂𝒓𝒌𝒏𝒆𝒔𝒔 #5.5)

Release Date: September 26, 2024

5⭐️3🌶

All these little novellas are just for the side characters and their HEAs, and I ADORE IT! I cannot wait to read more from Melisa K. Roehrich. These novellas are for Eliza and Razik, Azrael and Talwynn, Cyrus and Cassius, and Ashtine and Briar.

All the happily ever afters and explanation of what the characters are doing after the ending of the series.

Themes/Tropes:
🍁Political Machinations
🍁Fae/Vampires/Witches/Humans
🍁Enemies-to-Lovers
🍁Trained Female Assassin
🍁Revenge Plot
🍁Controlling Master of Assassins
🍁Throne of Glass vibes
🍁Older Fae Warrior as Teacher/Trainer/Lover?
🍁Hidden Powers/Potential

TW:
✨Violence
✨Training sequences
✨Biting
✨Betrayals
✨Secret keeping

[Cerah D 🐉 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i want an ashtine & briar spin off series 🤍

[Jae Ritchie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

The entire series wrapped up as a 5 star series. This book made my heart happy. Watching Prince Briar and Princess Ashtine come together was heartwarming. The balance and calm they brought to each other regardless of court politics was exactly as it should be.

[Emily · Rating 5 out of 5]

Why do the best characters in this series get the smallest books, goddamn.

[Tamara · Rating 5 out of 5]

✨🌬️ A soft, intimate, and beautifully crafted novella that adds depth, heart, and quiet magic to an already extraordinary world. 🌬️✨

This novella is an easy ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ for me. It’s recommended to read it after Lady of Starfire, and doing so made it feel like the perfect emotional exhale after the finale. While it doesn’t carry the same devastating weight as Rayner’s novella, Unrelenting Winds gave me something I didn’t even know I needed.

Following Briar and Ashtine, we get a tender, beautifully understated love story — the kind built on choice, trust, and quiet devotion. Their relationship blossoms gently, proving that a soft, steady love can be just as powerful as the fiery, chaotic ones. 💛

Despite every obstacle, they choose each other again and again, and watching that unfold felt healing after the emotional intensity of the main series.

We also get a glimpse into the world before the Lady of Darkness series — familiar faces, subtle connections, and moments that enrich the entire universe without overshadowing the main storyline. It adds depth, warmth, and context in a way that feels intentional and rewarding.

This novella is heartfelt, meaningful, and beautifully written. Melissa Roehrich continues to expand this world with such care and emotional intelligence — she’s absolutely gained a forever‑fan in me.

[saralouisereads · Rating 5 out of 5]

2🌶️ ugh i just love them so much. i loved all of the bonus chapters and this novella was a perfect way to end my time with the LoD series. im already looking forward to a reread in the future. my heart is full 🥹

[Jordan Miner · Rating 4 out of 5]

“What does that mean?” “I suppose time will tell,” she answered. “Worrying about it now steals the joy from the moment.” His lips tilted up. “That is does, my dear.” “Be well, my heart,” she said, and then she was gone among the winds. 🥹

[andi [under construction] · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5⭐️

[ciana · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was so cute, i love a good forbidden love moment

[Savannah Bowne · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.0 stars. While I enjoyed the dynamic between briar and ashtine throughout the main series, I wasn’t itching for more from them. I enjoyed the backstory of how their union originated, and I do quite enjoy the quirks surrounding Ashtine, but this was just okay for me. I know this novella is recommended to be read after the series is completed (per author recs), but this reads a prequel to me. It was cute and was a nice spin off, but that’s all it was.

“I find you clever. I find you captivating. Alluring in a way I have never experienced. I find you so incredibly enthralling that my thoughts wander to you multiple times a day. But I find you anything but vexing, Ashtine Evermorn.”

“remember you are more than your titles and duties, expectations and responsibilities. You deserve joy and happiness, even if it’s in something you keep just for you.”

[Natasha Vella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The perfect novella 🥹 I love their love 🫶🏻

[Allison Ripley-Duggan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it!

Warning: Suitable for 18+ readers. May have triggers of love-hate themes, violence, sexual scenes, references to sexual assault/rape (not on page), death, depression, physical abuse, war, blood, hostages, infertility, kidnapping, sexually explicit scenes, miscarriage, murder, torture, pregnancy, profanity, and graphic violence.

It was so enticing that I couldn’t put it down, this book grabbed my interest from the very first page. I couldn’t put it down, I had to know what happened next. The story is well written with a very good storyline. This is a Prequel Book to the Lady of Darkness series. It does not end on a cliffhanger. This is a new adult, dark fantasy romance novel. It features slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers troupes. Fans of Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Raven Kennedy will fall in love with this series. While this novella takes place before the events of the Lady of Darkness series, it is recommended you read it after completing the series. If you choose to read it before, please know that while novella does have a happy-for-now ending, you see Briar and Ashtine again in the Darkness series where you learn the fate of their forbidden relationship.

For centuries, the Great War that divided the realm has been over. The Fae Courts and mortal lands alike have been rebuilding, trying to move forward in a world they no longer recognize. When the Wind Princess requests a meeting with Prince Briar Drayce, ruler of the Water Court, he naturally accepts, intent on keeping good relations with the other rulers of the realm, but when the quirky and aloof princess makes an odd request of him, he starts to question just how much the winds have whispered to her. He’s always kept the peace, but he’s on the brink of breaking laws of old. Now he must decide if it’s worth the risk of angering the Fae Courts, the realm, the gods, and more. So with all that and more this story pulls you in and holds you tight. It’s a must read. I highly recommend to everyone.

[Malessa Danner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just knew Briar and Ashtine were going to be absolutely PRECIOUS!!!!!

Ugh, I love this entire universe SO much! Also, do I spot Easter eggs hinting at a future series for their twins?? 🤭🤭

Briar is definition he fell first and harder!

“I find you clever. I find you captivating. Alluring in a way I have never experienced. I find you so incredibly enthralling that my thoughts wander to you multiple times a day. But I find you anything but vexing, Ashtine Evermorn.”

“You came here.” It wasn’t a question, and gods, she sounded so incredibly tired. “I told you I would always be here for you, my dear,” he answered.

-lady of darkness novella!!! of briar and Ashtine
-I read this after the entire darkness series and would recommend that reading order 😊

[chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

i ate this up 💫 this was so sweet! it also completely reaffirmed my belief that sawyer is, without question, the absolute best 🥹 i was dying to learn how ashtine & briar’s forbidden love developed, this novella not only delivered on them, but also answered a few lingering questions i had about the plotlines in earlier books, which was incredibly satisfying! i did find myself wanting more out of this, even after i finished it.. but honestly, I would graciously read a 5 book series dedicated to each of these characters 🤭 this entire series deserves so much more hype! so grateful there are additional bonus chapters to read 🖤✨ i highly recommend reading this AFTER you finish lady of starfire!

[Caitlin Grace · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was so precious. It was really nice to get to see Briar and Ashtine's origin story and how their relationship came to be. Melissa has become an auto buy author for me. Even within this tiny story it is so captivating and we get some easter eggs regarding the rest of the universe she has built. I hope we get more of Ashtine. I love her dialogue and her peculiar traits that she has developed as a result of the winds.

I did want more from that ending (I mean we all want more from these two!!) but I wish this had taken us closer to the LOD start line.

[Sarah J Stebbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

As with the other novella in this series I thoroughly enjoyed this story and only wish it had been just a little longer. I went with the author’s suggested reading order, and thus read it last. While I think it technically could have been read within the series, after a certain point, I also think it definitely flowed better reading it after.

[Kali Balducci · Rating 4 out of 5]

They are the absolute sweetest and my only complaint is that it ended too abruptly, I needed at least one more chapter for better closure. Ashtine needs to be protected at all costs because she is positively precious.

[Paula · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow 😩 this was one of the best novellas I have ever read!!
Briar and Ashtine have my whole heart ❤️ And the way Briar talks to her 😭 What the hell this was perfect!! I would die for a whole book of these two!!
All the stars for this one 🥹

[kate · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75 ⭐️ “It is nonsensical that even with a blade at my throat I am contemplating if the inevitable injury would be worth it to press my lips to yours.” 🍃

[SAMANTHA. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ah, Briar and Ashtine. 💕✨ This was perfect and so sweet. I’ll love anything that allows me back into this world. 🥰

[Sammy · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cute 🥹

[Brittney Barone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Their love story needs to grow into a trilogy with the twins.

[Lyndsey Vande Velde · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loveeee Briar and Ashtine 😭🩵

[Angelina Bartel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Both novellas for Lady of Darkness are amazing additions. This one was so sweet 🩵

[Lauren Kollmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Be still my heart, my dear.

I loved this extra bit of Prince Briar and Princess Ashtine and seeing how they came together. I fell in love with them throughout Lady of Darkness and fell even harder reading their story on how they came to be.

[Chezza's life · Rating 5 out of 5]

2 of my most favourite characters in this novella and it just wasn't long enough.

Such a beautiful story and a must read if you love briar and ashtine. Definitely to be read after the main series as Melissa states.

Damn I miss this world now

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars! ⭐️ While reading the Lady of Darkness series, Briar and Ashtine became those side characters that you can’t help but love. I loved getting the backstory of how the two of them came to be, but also getting the opportunity to understand Ashtine better. She is such a complex character and this novella did such a great job of letting the readers into her head.

Definitely worth the read, but make sure to read the Lady of Darkness series first!