The Emperor of Evening Stars (The Bargainer 2.5)  Novella Desmond's POV

I enjoy reading the POV of the love interest, especially when they are mysterious and have secrets about their personal life.  This book filled in the blanks that were left out from the first two books and also had a bit of them but in Desmond's eyes.   I suggest reading this to get that bit of back story.  After reading this, I realized something about Desmond's father I didn't think about before reading this.  It makes more sense why things played out the way they did for his character.  However, trying to change your fate after finding information about your future doesn't always play out how you think it will. 

"Love costs even more than power. Even more than revenge or hate."

This short story shows that side that he hid from her in the year she was in school.  Before he found her and being told that he has a mate out there, that she is human and never says who she is or where to find her and looking for centuries would be maddening.  After reading this book and discovering what Des knew (and didn't) up to when he finally met Callie, his restraint for that first year is shocking.

"Hunting her has become an addiction.  Night after night I come back to earth for her,l my heart wearied, worn."

Getting more back story about his mother and father's history, why she ran away, and what happened when his father killed her.  It's a short version leading up to his current life that helps to understand him as a character and why he acts as he does.  Des is such a dark character, and his love for Callie is powerfully obsessive but in the best way.   

"I will be hers until darkness dies."

The cliffhanger from book 2 is problematic enough, although I think if given the choice without the knowledge of the crazy stalker chasing her to ruin him she would have zero hesitation.  On top of that, I did not expect this novella to also have a cliffhanger...

"A thousand screams shatter the silence.  They come from deep in the bowels of the castle, the shrieks shaking the earth." 

I am thoroughly enjoying this series.  It has an epic love story, danger, a strong female MC who is mouthy and tries to fight her own battles, a morally grey super sexy dark-winged daddy, and a mystery that needs to be resolved.  It checks the boxes for me.

On to book 3 Dark Harmony