The Ember: The New World Series Novella #2

The New World

by Asher D. Payne

Before the Fall of humanity, he found his angel.

Gael is everything a soldier should be, and as one of the esteemed right-hands of the President, that title reigns true. But once the depth of corruption is revealed and a sweeping vote to wipe out the population is held, rebellion becomes a necessity. With a burning desire to save humanity and protect his newfound relationship with Astrid, Gael quickly turns into one of Adalai McKinley’s biggest nightmares.

After her death, he lost himself.

With Gael’s memories unfolding, and his past with Astrid sending him down a path he will never forget, hope seems to linger in the darkness. Yet, even in the present, he is afraid to reach for it. Stuck reminiscing about all he’s lost is his new normal, but there remains someone capable of pulling him from even the most cataclysmic depths. And, just as he grabs that hand, they find out that, even with McKinley out of the picture, their fight has only just begun.

144 pages, Hardcover

Published June 7, 2026

About the author

Asher D. Payne has been writing since she can remember, desiring nothing more than putting her imagination on paper for others to enjoy. As a member of the LGBTQIA+ community, she strives to bring relationships into her books that stray from the stereotypes displayed in other forms of media. When she isn't engrossed in writing, she enjoys reading from her endless TBR list, playing with her pitbull, hitting the gym, and refining her self-defense skills. You can connect with her on Instagram @author.asherdpayne and TikTok @asher.d.payne