THE BLOOD DEBT & MORAL COMPLEXITY

How do you love someone who caused your father's death?

During a combat challenge, Roar'Z wounds Chief Grico and offers him a choice: submit or die. Grico chooses death. "No orc chief serves the one who defeats him. Death before dishonor." He lets himself fall into shark-infested waters.

Roar'Z didn't kill him. Grico killed himself.
But by orc custom, there's still a blood debt. Roar'Z created the circumstances that forced that choice.

The impossible position:
KyKlaw has the right to demand blood payment. But the clans need Roar'Z alive to survive the dragon war.

She chooses to hold all three truths: "My father died by choice. But blood debt remains. Clan safety comes first."
Not forgiveness. Postponement. The debt exists, complicated by growing feelings neither asked for.

The moral question:
Did Roar'Z kill Grico, or did Grico kill himself? Is choosing death over submission honorable or selfish? Who bears responsibility when someone chooses death over dishonor?

The book refuses simple answers. And that's what makes it compelling.

Reader question: If someone creates circumstances that lead to another person choosing death, is that murder? Where do you stand?

Genre: Epic Romantasy | Dark Fantasy | Morally Complex Romance