Ruins of Destiny

by Ella Blake

She’s armed to the teeth. He’s armed with patience.
Baleck is a Destran communications specialist who can read anyone except the scarred, lethal human operative guarding Destrani’s fragile peace. Iris Larivee doesn’t do trust, doesn’t do feelings, and definitely doesn’t do alien males with disarming smiles and mating instincts locked on her.

But when a Brakken probe and a D’tran conspiracy collide, these two are thrown together in a fight for survival — and a bond neither of them can deny.

He says she’s his fated mate. She says he’s going to break her heart. They’re both right.
Fated mates. Fierce heroine. Protective alien hero. Steamy sci-fi romance with action, heart, and HEA.

Ruins of Destiny is set in the Lords of Destra universe, but you don’t have to read that series to enjoy this one!

And This book was written by me, a human being, who has been writing sci-fi romances since 2020. Cheers!

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2026

Reviews

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

The D’tran people were left behind when the Brakken attacked their planet, Destrani. Those who escaped in their Solas named their new home Destra. The Solas provide nourishment called lami which, if I understand correctly, the Destrans need in order to thrive. The Brakken were addicted to it and were trying to take ownership of the Solas.

I think the D’tran who stayed on Destrani were bereft of Solas. How did they survive without lami?

Iris has been brought up as a living, breathing, highly analytical human operative/assassin. She has no close friends or associates, fearing emotional ties would weaken her. Baleck is a Destran communications expert and is assisting the team Iris is part of. She points out a mysterious gleam in the distance as they are studying the environment and the two agree to investigate the following day.

It turns out to be a Brakken device and our old friend Vax has been wheeling and dealing with them.

Baleck believes wholeheartedly that Iris is his mate and strives to get her to agree. He seals the deal after a life or death rescue mission.

[Cynkris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris is A-MAZ-ING! She is beyond Bada**! I love every aspect of her! Baleck, as we know from the previous book, is a sweet, intelligent male. One of my favorite things about him is his true interest in the new or as said of him "Baleck had simply let himself be afraid. Let himself experience the newness of it without shame or pretense." I absolutely love that about him. The combination of Iris and Baleck is perfection. She is introverted and stoic, used to depending only on herself...until Baleck. He is outgoing, a communication specialist who reads people easily, whatever the Species...except Iris. Ruins Destiny is such an amazing story, with wonderful characters and a solid plot line. I enjoyed going on this fated mate adventure with Iris and Baleck. I truly loved their hard fought journey to their well earned HEA. I am hoping that down the road Ella Blake will give us more Destran books.  Whatever she writes next will be worth reading, I know that much. She is 100% 1-click for me.

[Spinneretta · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good

Baleck and Iris
A gregarious Destran communications specialist, meets his match in a human woman, and trained operative.
Baleck and Iris join forces to investigate signs of an old enemy, who might just be getting ready to threaten the newly freed Destran homeworld.

This one is a very quick read, featuring a dual point of view- although Baleck is a lot more forthcoming on his thoughts than Iris (as befits their temperaments). It’s an enjoyable story of a male who is definitely green flag material, and a scarred woman just learning how to give and accept love.
Only a couple of spicy scenes, this one does harken back a bit to the original Destran series, so although it can be read as a standalone, it is a little helpful if you have read that series first.
An enjoyable, sweet, fast read, for SFR fans.

[Jen Is Reading · Rating 5 out of 5]

Iris is competent and strong, but she also carries her own trauma and insecurities. Baleck is the perfect partner for Iris. He uses his skills as a communicator to truly understand her. His calming patience and unwavering dedication are completely endearing. The romance between them feels earned, built on mutual respect and allowing for vulnerability with their partner.

[Trixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reading this brought back memories of the first book in the series, maybe because they are such an unlikely pair. But seeing them together at the end really shows how perfectly suited they are for each other. There's a comforting warmth in the MMC's quiet presence that even I can sense, and it encourages the FMC to open up more and more. I truly agree with the FMC— the MMC is amazing.

[Holly Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruins of Destiny by Ella Blake tells the story of D'tran male Baleck and human operative Iris as they discover that an old enemy, the Brakken, thought to be defeated, has emerged once again to threaten all on Destrani. Opposites definitely attract in this love story.

[Alaska love · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read👤

Baleck decided to stay on Destrani to learn more and offer assistance to the D'Tran. Then Iris stayed as security and Baleck knew she was his! Iris however was trained from childhood to be a spy or assassin. Love! Enjoy

[Marianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent sci-fi/fated mate romance! I really enjoyed it. Romantic, exciting, and passionate..

[Scarlett Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great ending

Perfect ending. These two were meant to be together.. A fitting end for all the trauma both had suffered. Great spin off series.

[Phyllis Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ruins of destiny

I'm am so enjoying this series. Something for every Sci-fi reader to enjoy. There is revenge, enemies, rescues and most of all love.