The Dance of Shadows

A city of masks. A dance of shadows. A secret that could shatter empires. Velmira is a city suspended between silk and steel, where noble Houses rule behind ornate masks and every whispered word hides a scheme. Beneath the glittering chandeliers and the music of the great Ball, secrets are traded like weapons, and a single misstep can mean ruin. Lyra Ashcroft never asked to play this dangerous game. Yet when she enters the Dance of Shadows, she discovers that her fate is tied to an ancient power known only as the Heart of Steam. Torn between loyalty and desire, she must navigate alliances that shift like smoke, while forbidden love sparks where it shouldn’t. Dorian Vermund hides more than his mask reveals. Bound by family duty and haunted by betrayal, he knows the Dance is not just spectacle—it is war disguised as celebration. And in the shadows, Evelyn waits, her smile sharper than any blade. As conspiracies unfold and the Heart of Steam stirs once more, Lyra is forced to ask: Who can be trusted when everyone wears a mask? The Dance of Shadows is Book Two of the Heart of Steam saga: A steampunk fantasy world of intrigue and romance A tale of betrayal, destiny, and forbidden passion Perfect for readers who love gaslamp fantasy, slow-burn romance, and richly atmospheric worlds Step into the Dance. The masks are waiting.