Some truths are too bitter to swallow.

Iris has lived her life as the reluctant ward of the Archmagus, bound to his service and burdened by secrets she dares not uncover. Tasked with recovering magikal relics for his vast collection, she has long dreamed of freedom beyond the cold walls of the Citadel.

When a daring thief crosses her path on a dangerous mission, Iris is drawn into a web of intrigue that unravels everything she thought she knew about her past. As shadows of the ancient First Gods stir and monstrous creatures haunt the nexus of magic and science, Iris must confront the truth behind the Archmagus's manipulations-and her own hidden power.

To forge a new path, she must choose between loyalty to a family of winged guardians who never fully accepted her and the unbearable consequences of the freedom she craves. In a world teetering on the edge of chaos, Iris's decisions will ripple through gods and monsters alike.

Loosely inspired by Greek mythology, this spellbinding novella weaves themes of found family, self-discovery, and the delicate balance between destruction and redemption. Welcome to a world where the taste of fruit and wine lingers with the weight of impossible choices.