The Black Serpent King Returns

A thousand years ago, the Black Serpent King Dorian ended the war between the Serpent Clan and mages before disappearing from the world. Years later, Elena, the former First Seat of the Academy of Light Magic, returns badly wounded with their secret son, Ryan. Hunted by the Blackthorn Empire, mother and child seek refuge with the man everyone believes is merely a mortal—unaware that protecting his new family may awaken the most feared serpent king in history.