Ashland Shadows and Secrets

Rylee Gray, a resourceful and fiercely loyal Ashlander, lives in the lowest class of Lumathyst, a kingdom divided by rigid social lines and ruled by four immortal kings. Her world is shaped by poverty, secrecy, and the trauma of her parents' exile and her sister Erin's mysterious disappearance after sneaking into the annual Choosing ceremony. Rylee's demi-goddess powers, inherited from the goddess Neph, are a secret she must guard with her life. Her only solace comes from her friends Ivy and Layce, fellow demis who help her survive and dream of something more. When Rylee forges an invitation to the Choosing, her hope is not for glory, but to find out what happened to Erin, risking everything for family and truth.

The Choosing's Dangerous Game

Disguised in borrowed finery, Rylee crosses city borders and enters the palace for the Choosing, a spectacle where the four Legends of Chaos—part-god princes—select a mate. The event is a swirl of opulence, masks, and danger, with Rylee's every move shadowed by Turner, a predatory enforcer who knows her secrets. The Choosing is more than a romantic contest; it's a contract of consent, a chance for social ascension, and a deadly game for those unworthy or discovered as imposters. Rylee's forged invitation and demi powers make her a target, but her determination to find Erin steels her nerves as she navigates the palace's glittering, perilous halls.

Sisters, Friends, and Forgery

Rylee's closest allies, Ivy and Layce, are her lifeline and co-conspirators. Together, they plot her infiltration of the Choosing, using Ivy's skill at forgery and Layce's access to luxury goods. Their friendship is forged in shared secrets and mutual protection, each hiding demi powers in a world that would imprison or kill them for it. Rylee's longing for her sister and her guilt over not joining Erin at the last Choosing drive her forward. The trio's banter and support are a rare source of joy, but the stakes are high: exposure means death or worse, and the Never List—a record of the kingdom's undesirables—looms over them all.

Legends of Chaos Unmasked

The four Legends—Jax, Kal, Axl, and Pierce—are more than royal heartthrobs; they are sons of goddesses, each bearing immense power and the weight of expectation. Their mothers' sacrifice keeps the kingdom safe, but the princes' powers are locked until they find a true mate. The annual Choosing is both a hope and a curse, as every potential so far has fled or failed. Jax, the Nightmare, is haunted by his father's cruelty and his own capacity for darkness. Kal, the Dreamer, yearns for connection. Axl, the Player, seeks adventure and loyalty. Pierce, the Mind, is both strategist and empath, burdened by the thoughts of others. Their unity is their strength, but their loneliness is profound.

Crossing Borders, Crossing Lines

Rylee's journey through the palace is fraught with peril. She must avoid the attention of enforcers, the scrutiny of the Occuli (magical observers), and the ever-present threat of being unmasked as an Ashlander and demi. Her forged invitation grants her entry, but the risk of discovery is constant. The palace's opulence is a stark contrast to her life, and every interaction is a test—of wit, courage, and her ability to hide her true self. The Choosing's festivities are a mask for deeper political games, and Rylee's presence is a spark in a powder keg of royal intrigue.

The Palace and the Pin

Against all odds, Rylee is selected by the Legends as their potential mate, her number called out by Jax, the enigmatic Nightmare. The moment is both triumph and terror: her forged identity is now under royal scrutiny, and the contract she entered is binding. The palace's eyes are on her, and the kings' enforcers close in. Rylee's friends urge her to survive by making the Legends fall for her, knowing that only love or power can protect her from execution. The weight of expectation, desire, and fear presses down as Rylee is swept into the heart of the royal game.

Royal Tests and Threats

Rylee's first night as the Chosen is a gauntlet of tests, both overt and insidious. The kings, especially Baydel, use their power to humiliate and threaten her, testing her submission and resolve. Rylee's refusal to be cowed earns her both danger and respect. The Legends, in contrast, offer her a choice and a measure of safety, but their own traumas and suspicions make trust difficult. The palace is a labyrinth of power plays, and Rylee must navigate it with cunning, using her wits and the lessons of survival learned in the Ashlands.

The Chosen and the Kings

After surviving the kings' "test," Rylee is brought to the Legends' private quarters. The four princes are both intimidating and alluring, each testing her in their own way. Rylee's honesty about the kings' assault and her refusal to submit to their will earns her the Legends' respect and curiosity. The night is a dance of seduction, interrogation, and vulnerability, as Rylee must decide how much of herself to reveal. The Legends' offer of choice—who to spend her first month with—gives Rylee a sliver of agency in a world determined to control her.

Surviving the First Night

Rylee selects Kal, the Dreamer, for her first month, drawn to his kindness and warmth. Their connection is immediate and genuine, a balm after the palace's cruelty. Kal's city, the Ruby Aire, is a place of beauty and innovation, and he shows Rylee a world where power can be used for good. Their intimacy is both physical and emotional, as Kal's respect and care allow Rylee to lower her guard. The month is a reprieve, but the threat of exposure and the looming Athanry—the ritual that will make her immortal—are never far from Rylee's mind.

Kal's Kindness, Axl's Adventure

Kal's city is a haven, and his people adore him for his generosity and vision. Rylee learns that the Legends are not the monsters the kingdom's rumors make them out to be; they are protectors, burdened by the failures of their fathers and the weight of their mothers' sacrifice. Kal's love is steady and fierce, and their month together is filled with laughter, passion, and the slow building of trust. But the peace is shattered by attacks from the Faders, a mysterious rebel group with demi-like powers, forcing Rylee and the Legends to confront threats both internal and external.

The Dreamer's City Revealed

As Rylee explores the Ruby Aire, she is struck by the contrast between Kal's city and the Ashlands. The prosperity and freedom here are a stark reminder of what is denied to her people. Rylee's desire to change the system grows, fueled by Kal's support and the realization that the Legends, too, want reform. The attacks by the Faders intensify, and Rylee's loyalty to the Legends is tested as she risks her life to protect their people. The month ends with Kal's token—a ruby ring—symbolizing his choice and trust in her.

Faders in the Shadows

The Faders, a group of rebels with demi-like powers, escalate their attacks, targeting the Legends' cities and exposing the kingdom's vulnerabilities. The Legends suspect the Faders are either demis in hiding or users of illegal enhancements, and the threat of another demi uprising looms. Rylee's own powers become both a weapon and a liability, as she must hide them from the kings while using them to protect those she loves. The lines between friend and foe blur, and the cost of survival grows ever higher.

Bonds Forged in Fire

Rylee's relationships with the Legends intensify as she spends time with Axl, the Player, and Pierce, the Mind. Each prince reveals new facets of himself—Axl's playful strength, Pierce's intellectual depth, Jax's haunted vulnerability. Rylee's honesty, courage, and compassion win their trust, and their bonds are sealed with tokens and shared secrets. The Legends' unity is tested by the Faders' attacks and the kings' machinations, but Rylee's presence becomes the glue that holds them together. Love, once a tool for survival, becomes a force of transformation.

The Player's Wager

In the Sapphire Cove, Axl's city by the sea, Rylee is swept into a world of adventure and risk. Axl's wager—a race to save a trapped creature—becomes a metaphor for their relationship: daring, passionate, and fiercely protective. Rylee's willingness to risk herself for others earns Axl's respect and love, and their intimacy is both playful and profound. The Faders' attacks continue, and Rylee's loyalty to the Legends is tested as she must choose between her own safety and the greater good.

The Mind's Gentle Power

Pierce, the Mind, is both the most guarded and the most vulnerable of the Legends. His power to read and manipulate thoughts is a burden, isolating him from others. With Rylee, he finds a partner who challenges and soothes him, their connection built on trust and mutual respect. Pierce's city, the Emerald Wood, is a place of quiet beauty and intellectual pursuit, and their time together is a respite from the chaos. Rylee's honesty and courage earn Pierce's token, and their bond is sealed in both mind and body.

Secrets, Lies, and Loyalty

As Rylee's relationships with the Legends deepen, her secrets become harder to keep. The truth of her Ashlander origins and demi powers is finally revealed, not through betrayal but through necessity—her powers unleashed to save Jax from an assassin. The Legends' response is not rejection but acceptance, their love for Rylee transcending the kingdom's prejudices. Together, they form a new kind of found family, united by choice rather than blood or duty. The threat of the Athanry and the Faders remains, but for the first time, Rylee is not alone.

The Nightmare's True Face

Jax, the Nightmare, is the last and most difficult of the Legends to win. Haunted by his father's cruelty and his own capacity for darkness, Jax pushes Rylee away, convinced he will destroy her. Rylee's refusal to abandon him, her willingness to face his nightmares and love him anyway, breaks through his defenses. Their union is both fierce and tender, a meeting of equals who have survived trauma and chosen each other. Jax's token—a tattoo over Rylee's heart—seals their bond, and the Legends are finally united.

Becoming a Legend

With all secrets revealed and all tokens given, Rylee is made an official Legend, donning the mask and crest of the group. Together, they hunt the Faders, using their combined powers and Rylee's unique perspective to protect the kingdom. Their unity is both a source of strength and a target, as the kings and the Faders each seek to control or destroy them. The bonds of love, trust, and shared purpose are tested as the Athanry approaches, and Rylee must prepare to risk everything for her mates and her future.

The Athanry's Deadly Trial

The Athanry, the ritual that will make Rylee immortal and unlock the Legends' full powers, is both a promise and a threat. The kings, especially Baydel, scheme to ensure her failure, but Rylee's determination is unshakable. The ceremony is a trial by fire, testing her body, mind, and soul. Rylee must confront her deepest fears, her love for the Legends, and the truth of her own power. The goddesses themselves appear, offering cryptic warnings and impossible choices. The cost of survival is higher than anyone imagined.

Death, Sacrifice, and Return

The Athanry's elixir kills Rylee, her body lifeless in the Legends' arms. Grief and rage consume them, but their love is stronger than fate. Refusing to accept her death, the Legends sacrifice their own powers, offering them to Rylee in a desperate bid to bring her back. The goddesses warn of the cost—Rylee will have full control of their powers, and their immortality will be bound to her will. The Legends accept, choosing love over power, and Rylee is given the choice to return or remain in peace.

Sisterhood and Betrayal

Rylee returns to life, her powers overwhelming, just as the Faders attack the temple. In the chaos, Rylee discovers that the leader of the Faders is her own sister, Erin, who has become both enemy and lost family. The revelation is a knife to the heart, forcing Rylee to choose between loyalty to her mates and her love for her sister. In a desperate act, Rylee takes the brunt of the Legends' powers to save Erin, nearly dying again in the process. The bonds of sisterhood and love are tested to their breaking point.

Power, Love, and Survival

Rylee survives, but the cost is immense. The Legends' powers are now tied to her, and the kingdom's future is uncertain. The Faders remain at large, the kings' machinations continue, and the wounds of betrayal and loss are fresh. But Rylee and the Legends are united, their love and trust stronger than ever. Together, they vow to face whatever comes—be it war, rebellion, or the challenge of ruling a kingdom in need of change. The story ends on a note of hope and determination, with the promise that love, chosen and fought for, can change the world.

Characters

Rylee Gray

Rylee is the heart of the story—a fiercely loyal, resourceful Ashlander marked by loss and driven by love. Her demi-goddess powers, inherited from Neph, are both a blessing and a curse, forcing her to live in secrecy and fear. Rylee's trauma—her parents' exile, her sister's disappearance, and the daily violence of poverty—shapes her into a survivor who trusts few but loves deeply. Her relationships with Ivy and Layce are her anchor, and her longing for Erin is her greatest vulnerability. Rylee's journey is one of self-discovery, as she learns to trust, to love, and to claim her power. Her courage, wit, and compassion win the Legends' hearts, and her willingness to risk everything for those she loves makes her a true queen. Rylee's arc is about transformation—from outcast to Legend, from liar to leader, from survivor to savior.

Jax Lavine (The Nightmare)

Jax is the most complex and tormented of the Legends, shaped by his father Baydel's cruelty and his own capacity for darkness. His power to manipulate emotions is both a weapon and a wound, isolating him from others and making him fear his own nature. Jax's relationship with Rylee is a battle of wills, as he pushes her away to protect her from himself. His vulnerability is hidden behind sarcasm, violence, and a reputation for ruthlessness, but beneath it is a desperate need for love and acceptance. Jax's arc is about learning to trust, to let himself be loved, and to choose hope over fear. His bond with Rylee is both healing and redemptive, and his willingness to sacrifice everything for her is the ultimate proof of his love.

Kal Erhart (The Dreamer)

Kal is the Dreamer, the prince of the Ruby Aire, and the emotional center of the Legends. His power is flight and sunlight, but his true gift is his unwavering kindness and optimism. Kal's city is a reflection of his values—innovative, generous, and just. He is the first to trust Rylee, offering her safety and love without condition. Kal's trauma is quieter than Jax's, but no less real; he carries the burden of leadership and the pain of repeated rejection. His relationship with Rylee is a source of healing for both, and his willingness to share her with his brothers is a testament to his selflessness. Kal's arc is about hope, resilience, and the courage to love again.

Axl Dawson (The Player)

Axl is the Player, the prince of the Sapphire Cove, and the embodiment of passion and loyalty. His power over water mirrors his emotional depth—capable of both wild storms and gentle tides. Axl's city is a place of camaraderie and risk, and his leadership is marked by both strength and compassion. He is playful, daring, and fiercely protective of those he loves. Axl's relationship with Rylee is built on mutual respect and shared adventure, and his willingness to risk everything for her is a measure of his devotion. His arc is about learning to trust, to share, and to fight for a future worth living.

Pierce Bertrand (The Mind)

Pierce is the Mind, the prince of the Emerald Wood, and the most introspective of the Legends. His power to read and manipulate thoughts is both a gift and a curse, isolating him from others and making him wary of intimacy. Pierce's city is a haven of knowledge and beauty, and his leadership is marked by wisdom and restraint. His relationship with Rylee is a slow burn, built on trust, intellectual connection, and mutual vulnerability. Pierce's arc is about letting down his defenses, embracing love, and using his power for good. His acceptance of Rylee's secrets is a turning point, and his willingness to sacrifice for her is a testament to his growth.

Ivy Parcell

Ivy is Rylee's best friend and co-conspirator, a demi with the power to manipulate plants. Her skills at forgery and her access to the middle-class world of Leaf and Claw are vital to Rylee's survival. Ivy is fiercely protective, quick-witted, and unafraid to challenge authority. Her relationship with Rylee is a source of strength and comfort, and her willingness to risk everything for her friend is a measure of her loyalty. Ivy's arc is about survival, resistance, and the power of found family.

Layce Willis

Layce is the third member of Rylee's inner circle, an Ari from Cedar and Silk with the power to control lightning. Her resourcefulness, humor, and courage make her an indispensable ally. Layce's access to luxury goods and her willingness to bend the rules help Rylee infiltrate the Choosing. Her loyalty is unwavering, and her friendship with Rylee and Ivy is a lifeline in a world determined to crush them. Layce's arc is about resilience, hope, and the strength found in community.

Erin Gray

Erin is Rylee's older sister, a demi with a talent for escape and survival. Her disappearance after the Choosing is the catalyst for Rylee's journey, and her absence is a wound that never heals. Erin's eventual revelation as the leader of the Faders is both a betrayal and a heartbreak, forcing Rylee to choose between love and loyalty. Erin's arc is about the cost of survival, the pain of separation, and the tragedy of fighting for change in a world that punishes difference.

Baydel Lavine

Baydel is Jax's father and the most ruthless of the four kings. His power to control and immobilize is matched only by his capacity for cruelty and manipulation. Baydel's disdain for Ashlanders and demis is a driving force in the kingdom's oppression, and his schemes to control the Choosing and the Legends are a constant threat. Baydel's arc is a warning about the dangers of unchecked power and the corrosive effects of fear and prejudice.

Mirren

Mirren is the Legends' trusted handmaiden, a woman of strength, wisdom, and fierce loyalty. She is both caretaker and confidante, guiding Rylee through the dangers of the palace and the trials of the Choosing. Mirren's attachment to Rylee is hard-won, and her willingness to risk everything for the Legends is a testament to her love. Mirren's arc is about found family, sacrifice, and the quiet power of those who serve.

Plot Devices

The Choosing Ceremony

The Choosing is the central narrative device, a ritual that serves as both a romantic contest and a political weapon. It is a test of worthiness, a contract of consent, and a means of social ascension for those chosen. The ceremony's rules—one mate for four princes, a month with each, the Athanry at the end—structure the story and create both opportunity and peril. The Choosing is also a tool for the kings to maintain control, using it to reinforce social hierarchies and punish those who defy them. The ceremony's magical binding and the threat of exposure create constant tension, driving the plot forward.

The Never List

The Never List is both a literal record and a metaphor for the kingdom's cruelty. It marks those deemed unworthy—demis, criminals, rebels—and ensures their perpetual exclusion from power and privilege. The List is a tool of control, used to justify oppression and violence. For Rylee and her friends, being on the List is both a death sentence and a badge of resistance. The List's evolution—from a record of demi bloodlines to a catch-all for dissent—mirrors the kingdom's descent into fear and authoritarianism.

Tokens and Consent

The tokens given by the Legends—rings, bracelets, tattoos—are more than romantic gestures; they are symbols of choice, trust, and mutual recognition. Each token marks a turning point in Rylee's relationships, a moment when love overcomes fear and secrecy. The tokens are also a plot device for tracking Rylee's progress through the Choosing, signaling her acceptance by each prince and her growing power within the group. The emphasis on consent—both in the contract and in the Legends' actions—contrasts sharply with the kings' coercion, highlighting the story's themes of agency and autonomy.

The Athanry

The Athanry is the story's ultimate test, a ritual that promises immortality but demands everything. It is both a reward and a threat, a means of unlocking the Legends' full powers and a crucible for Rylee's soul. The Athanry's elixir, the goddesses' intervention, and the risk of death create a climax of tension and emotion. The ritual's true cost—requiring the Legends to sacrifice their powers for Rylee's life—forces a reckoning with love, trust, and the meaning of power. The Athanry is both an ending and a beginning, a moment of transformation that reshapes the world.

The Faders

The Faders are both antagonist and mirror, a group of rebels whose demi-like powers and attacks expose the kingdom's fractures. Their true leader—Erin, Rylee's sister—embodies the story's central conflict between loyalty and justice, love and survival. The Faders' actions force the Legends and Rylee to confront the kingdom's injustices and their own complicity. The mystery of the Faders' origins, motives, and powers drives the plot, creating suspense and raising the stakes for all involved.

Found Family and Polyamory

The story's structure—one woman, four mates—is both a romantic fantasy and a radical reimagining of power and family. The Legends' willingness to share, to love without jealousy, and to build a family of choice rather than blood is a form of resistance against the kingdom's rigid hierarchies. Rylee's journey from isolation to belonging, from secrecy to trust, is mirrored in the Legends' own struggles with vulnerability and acceptance. The polyamorous bond is both a source of strength and a challenge, requiring honesty, communication, and mutual respect.

Analysis

The Never List is a spicy, high-stakes fantasy romance that uses the trappings of court intrigue, magical trials, and polyamorous love to explore deeper themes of trauma, agency, and the cost of survival. At its heart, the novel is about the power of choice—who we love, what we risk, and how we define ourselves in a world determined to keep us small. Rylee's journey from outcast to queen is both a personal and political transformation, challenging the kingdom's hierarchies and the reader's expectations. The story's emphasis on consent, found family, and the healing of trauma is a direct response to the genre's darker tropes, offering hope without denying the reality of pain. The polyamorous structure is not just titillation but a radical act of unity, showing that love, when chosen and fought for, can be both a shield and a sword. The novel's unresolved ending—Rylee's near-death, Erin's betrayal, the Faders' threat—reflects the ongoing struggle for justice and belonging in a world that fears difference. The Never List is ultimately a story about survival, love, and the courage to claim both, no matter the cost.

Last updated: August 19, 2025