Defensive Magic

Angst-riddled enemies-to-lovers at a magic school + werewolves

Zephyr didn't mean to make a deal with werewolf god.

He was just trying to escape the Stag’s Court, his vampire ex-girlfriend, and a future soaked in other people’s blood. Instead, he ended up marked by a silent, ancient deity with a fondness for destruction—and, unfortunately, turned into a werewolf himself.

Now Zephyr’s doing his best to pass as a mostly-normal student mage at the Midnight Court. That would be easier if Aries de la Fel weren’t here too: arrogant, insufferable, and unfortunately… Zephyr’s type. With just enough royal blood to make things complicated.

But between forbidden grimoires, magical duels, full moons, and feelings Zephyr absolutely does not have the bandwidth for, it’s getting harder to outrun the past—or the god who still wants something from him.

He’s not sure what’s more dangerous: the curse, the Court, or falling in love. But something is going to break. And Zephyr is trying very hard to make sure it’s not him.

Magic is hard. Feelings are harder. Werewolves? Don’t ask.

Readers can expect:

• Slow burn queer romance (with a bite)

• Gothic magic university with a side of monster court politics

• Morally complicated characters making emotionally complicated choices

• A brooding bisexual werewolf protagonist who thinks he's the problem (he's right)

• Dreamwalking exes, weird magic, and very bad gods

• Found family, forced proximity, major angst, & openly gay characters

• Kissing, clawing, and the occasional magical disaster