A short story about a girl who loves the stars and a boy who’s spent his life in a hospital. It’s a mix of romance and angst, I hope it brings you a bit of joy.... or sadness. Thanks!

Thenia spent the past decade trapped in a manipulative relationship where she was to smile on cue, be pretty, and keep her mouth shut. Having escaped that mistake, she's now looking for a new place to plant her roots. Serena is one of many children, and always the one left behind and forgotten. When her only friend dies, she's left adrift, but something keeps her on Giri lands. Ashton's grandparents died in their sleep, and now he must return home and care for his Gram's life work and his Pops’ stunning gardens. Left with only his memories, a friend advises Ashton to hire a groundskeeper. Behind the scenes, something is brewing. Secrets long forgotten are unearthed, ancient allies find themselves working together again, and sometimes the best weapon isn't a sword--it's ones and zeros. Read the first book in The AIS Files, a new series in the Chronicles from Alku universe. Earth, Beast, Metal is a blend of fantasy and science fiction with a closed-door polyamorous relationship and asexual representation.