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A. C. Haydée epic fantasy • active imagination High Fantasy + Supernatural Novelist Learn More EVE & THE CITY OF YULE RELEASED: November 29, 2022 Book One of Eve & The Legacy of Yule , City introduces Eve Alcazar, a young teen afflicted with a curse by the winter demon Krampus. Upon learning she is the secret granddaughter of the fabled Santa Claus, Eve journeys across the Nowel Provinces alongside her best friend, Desiree, and cousin, Nick, with the task of sealing the world from darkness, and reuniting with her legendary grandfather. Young Adult Fiction • Epic Fantasy BUY THE BOOK BEST BOOK I'VE READ THIS YEAR. Haydée is a gifted author whose storytelling ability captures the attention of readers of all ages. An enticing read built on in-depth world building with descriptions that transport readers into Eve's universe. When reading this book, I was so immersed that I forgot about the world around me. The character development is compelling and I found myself attached to the characters. The secondary characters are just as fascinating as the primary ones. The entire book was engaging and none of the details felt like filler or were superfluous. The ending of the book left me curious about the future of Eve and her friends, and wanting follow up novels. This book is the best that I have read this year. Growing up, I used to read a couple of books per week just for fun. But since college graduation, I haven't been able to read since I spent so much time in college reading textbooks. But this book was so amazing that it got me out of my slump and I'm now an avid reader once again. It re-sparked my interest in one of my favorite pastimes. I can't wait to see what else Haydée writes. ☆☆☆☆☆ Hannah W. Goodreads FINE FANTASY FUN! Very quick read if you settle down to read it, best done with some hot chocolate or peppermint tea, and an enjoyable read at that! Full of reimagined Christmas lore it tells the story of the heirs of Santa and their brave companions on a journey to save Santa and the Yuletide season as a whole from the evil Krampus. A good read for young adults or adults looking for a themed fantasy novel! There's a handful of grammatical errors, including one passage where every sentence starts with 'As' even when they don't need to, but self-publishers don't have access to high-cost editors available through traditional publishing and I'm sure as the sequels come out these errors will get ironed out better. Even still, it doesn't effect the reading experience, which is a good time throughout! All in all, two thumbs up! ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Jennifer A. Goodreads BEST YA I'VE READ IN YEARS. Eve & The City of Yule is the best Young Adult Book that I’ve read in a while. This book is a world of its own. It takes you away from Earth. You become immersed in the world of Eve ! I don’t want to spoil the book for anyone, BUT you are in for a ride full of adventure!! Once you pick this book up, you won’t be able to put it down! I love how we get to witness the character development of every character. You get to witness their journey. This book you can read anytime, but if you are searching for a book that centers around the holidays, this book is PERFECT!!! ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Jazzytinsley Barnes & Noble REFRESHING TAKE BACK TO FICTION. As a long time fiction reader it began to feel like I was falling out of love with the genre. However A.C. does an excellent job with creativity in this title. The world and characters are well developed and you can tell she truly put love into their creation. Highly recommend for any of you winter peril lovers out there! ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ Devo174 Barnes & Noble Melancholy Eve Preview Chapter 2 of the adventure, Eve & The City of Yule , available now on bn.com/nook. Read Here SUBSCRIBE FORM Join Thanks for subscribing!

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UPCOMING WORKS BY A.C. HAYDÉE Grand Mythos: The Magic of Terre (TBA) A companion book to Eve & The Legacy of Yule , learn the lore of the world where it all began: Terre. Mythic Fiction • Epic Fantasy • Encyclopedia Madeline & The Moon Blooded (HALLOWEEN 2023) Powered by the phases of the moon, they were known then as guardians of man. We know them now as vampires . Book One of Chronicles of the Moon Blooded . Young Adult Fiction • Fantasy • Supernatural The Girl Who Cried The Universe: A Legacy of Yule Novella (TBA) A prequel companion novel to Eve & The City of Yule , following the journey of Clara from the mundane dreams of the town of Sauer, to the enchanting adventures in the Kingdom of Tannon, to the cold walls of the Alyona Asylum. Young Adult Fiction • Epic Fantasy • Supernatural Eve II: Hiemal Dominion (WINTER 2023) The anticipated sequel to Eve & The City of Yule . All Hail The Queen. Young Adult Fiction • Epic Fantasy

BONUS CHAPTERS FROM Madeline & The Moon Blooded DISCLAIMER: Each excerpt may contain spoilers for the events in Madeline & The Moon Blooded Musings — She Was Love A bonus from Madeline & The Moon Blooded Maddie & Alexander Timeline: Between Chapters 5 and 7 Finally, the light went out in Maddie’s bedroom. Up late tonight , Alexander noted. He made himself comfortable on his rooftop perch. Midnight was long past. But Maddie had a lot to think about. Alexander liked taking the night watch. He hardly ever needed the sleep, and he thrived in the dark. Renée’s talents were best during the day, and Ein… he was the best at keeping Damian at bay. Damian. They still couldn’t trust him alone with the Queen. Not if they wanted her hale, whole, and able to trust them. The Lunar Cycle knew that Damian viewed all humans with distrust, but it took a while to understand why the Queen garnered extra venom. In Damian’s eyes, Zarya had played her Moon Blooded lover false, and betrayed the entire race. And Madeline… She was her spawn. Zarya, betraying. Alexander didn’t feel quite so certain. Humans were just… different . Different, like the Sun and Moon. And he knew that there was more than just one side to the story. There was the human side, the side of the Moon Blooded, and the truth. Was it truly wise to judge motivation from simply one side? And her . Maddie. Maybe it was the way she acted, maybe it was the way she was. The way she smiled. The way she laughed. Maybe it was even the way she cried. Perhaps it was the way she tried her best, with everything she did. Alexander hadn’t known her for very long, but he knew. He knew, he could tell, that Maddie’s birth came from love. True love. Because she was full of it. The lullaby was full of love. Alexander hummed the song under his breath. Soft, as if any louder, he would disturb Maddie’s rest. My Sweet Child… when you smile, all worries start to fade. Child… when you laugh it brightens up the day. Child… it’s okay to cry but don’t forget your strength. The goddess prays and prays and prays and prays that your happiness forever stays. ​ ‘Happiness’. Zarya and Daemon Faunus were happy , right? So why did the King declare war? Shouldn’t he have been happy , at least, for his daughter? Why did the story end in bloodshed? The story raised more questions than it answered. Alexander’s hums were halted by feeling a shift in the wind. He could sense both Maddie and Roxana, asleep in their quarters. Roxana, Maddie’s mother, sure, but she was her adoptive mother. Did the King know of his granddaughter? He made her an orphan. Love had flowered between mundane and Moon Blooded. And he stripped it away, didn’t he? But it was predestined from Selenaia that Maddie would prevail. Transcend time and space. To revitalize her people to their former glory. So they are told. So they pray. Maura Lilith. Madeline White. Maddie. Love between the mundane and Moon Blooded. Would that happen again? Alexander’s musings consumed the evening entirely as he reflected on the passion that resounded in the blood of both the sun and moon for generations. Maddie. “You’re a faun. You’re not a predator. You’re more prey than anything.” Words he had said to her just the night before. It was a bit blunt, but he knew he didn’t entirely believe the construct. In fact, Alexander could never see Maddie as prey, because Faunus never saw Zarya as such. Rather, he saw her as love. Not certainly an amorous interest, but simply the personification of love, and hope. However, that was evident. And it placed him in an effortless position. It would be easy to support her. To defend her. To protect her. The survival of his people depended on regaining their stolen life. It depended on him. It depended on her. It depended on the team. It depended on Damian, Ein, Renée. Damian. Sure, he was a “brother”. Regardless if he truly “saved her” or not, he was practically a ticking time bomb. He was a problem that still needed work. Alexander sighed and fell back into humming, but stayed alert to the movements of the night. My Sweet Child… when you smile, all worries start to fade. Child… when you laugh it brightens up the day. Child… it’s okay to cry but don’t forget your strength. The goddess prays and prays and prays and prays that your happiness forever stays. ​ Happiness. ‘Happy’. He was sure that one day, all would be so. Maddie would make it so. And — like the rest, or most, of his team — he would be right by her side. ​ ​ ​ End of You th A bonus from Madeline & The Moon Blooded René e & Ein Timeline: Between Chapters 18 and 19 ​ Content Warning: Material includes subject matter that may be sensitive for readers, such as discussion of death, loss, and grief. “Hello… is anybody home?” Renée stirred from her slumber. Her eyes blinked open, and she naturally lifted her head upward to see. Her mind was still groggy from sleep, but she could tell where she was. Reflexively, she reached for her eyeglasses on the bedside table. “Good morning, sunshine,” Ein teased. “The world says hello.” Renée blinked again, slowly, forcing herself awake. The skin of her thigh was stiffened by a bandage — a serious reminder of what transpired a few nights ago. But she quickly disregarded the sensation in favor of tracing the voice to her “brother’s” face. “I didn’t realize you’re such a sleepyhead,” Ein tried to make the mood as light as possible. He leaned against the bookshelf, grinning. The grin faltered as a novel jumped out, and Ein scrambled to pick it up and set it back into its rightful place. “And I didn’t realize you had this many books—” “They are organized by color and content,” Renée interjected. “You can leave it be. I will fix it later.” “My bad, Renee, I’m sorry,” he quickly replied. He smoothed out the cover with his hand and set it aside. Unbothered, his “sister” let out a small yawn. She stretched her arms above her head. “How are you feelin’?” Ein asked. “I feel fine,” Renée insisted, working out the kinks in her neck. But something felt… off . “Ein, how long was I asleep for?” “Uh… a couple days?” “As in ‘two’, or more?” “Maybe a couple more…” Renée rose from her bed and searched for her cellphone to find out the right day and time. “I do not understand. This was a minor injury.” “Maybe it’s not the scrape at all, Ren. Maybe you’ve just been exhausted,” Ein suggested. “You’ve been non-stop. Even more than Sire.” “It is because our success is dependent on everyone’s full participation.” “Yeah, but you can’t overwork yourself,” Ein explained. “You should know that more than anyone here. You’re human… too.” Renée knew that. “You’ve taught me that,” Ein added. “Did I miss school?” Renée asked. Ever so subtle, her voice was still laced with panic. “Just some days. Nothing major has been happening, though, post-exams… wait a second. Do you really think missing some lessons would be a problem for you ?” “Intelligence doesn’t equate to attendance, Ein,” Renée shook her head. “Missing class, that is going to alarm the teachers.” “‘Alarm’ them?” Ein chuckled. He was more mindful with his response, using language he was sure she would understand. “Sis, they’re more concerned with the kids that deliberately skip their classes. Luke has you in for sick days. Trust, this ain’t gonna be a ‘detriment’ to our cover.” Renée paused. Ein blinked. “I get it. You worry… a lot.” Renee’s breath hitched. Excuse me? “You try not to show it. To us, it’s this cool, calm persona. But you’re tired. But, it’s okay to be tired.” “We just…” Renée struggled to justify her discontent with her actions. “We may run out of time—” “We won’t,” Ein said. Almost uncharacteristically, he was stern. Renée blinked, confused. Ein paused, realizing his tone. Nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. “It’s… it’s because I know that we’ll be on track. You won’t let us fall behind,” he explained softly. “That’s all.” Renée shook her head. “Come on,” Ein insisted. “Think of all the good we’ve done so far! We got some Moonstones, we finally found Maddie, and Sire’s been investigating the gun you snabbed. Which, I already know what ya gonna ask. He’s still studying it. It’s probably from a man-made material, like steel—” Renée raised a brow. “‘Snabbed’?” “Isn’t that the word?” Ein asked. “Like, ‘to grab’?” If it was another slang term, she wasn’t so sure either. Ein stifled a laugh. “I’m trying here.” Trying his best, with everything. Trying to fit in, just like she was. Renée smiled slightly. “It’s impressive.” “You think so?” Ein grinned again. Renée found it a bit doltish, and her eyes followed him as he slapped his forehead and retrieved a mug on a tray by her desk. He remembered what he was initially there for. “I made you some tea,” he announced. “It’s not coffee, but I thought it would work like those commercials where you’d wake up ‘cause you could smell it. But, it’s probably cold now, huh…” A sense of innocence. Childlike logic that was endearing. But was also consistently threatened. Ein encouraged her to sit back down on the side of her bed, as he plopped down on her desk chair before her. Still sporting his signature smile stretched across his face, he held out the mug. “I hope it’s okay.” “Thank you,” Renée nodded. Accepting it, she took a long sip, humming to herself. On impulse, Ein sniffed the air. “Oh, good. It still smells nice.” Renée cocked her head, noting he sat a few feet away from her. “Where are your ears?” “My ears?” Ein reached for his left ear. Humanlike. “Lady Madeline refers to your half form as ‘wolf-man’. You are not in ‘wolf-man’ form,” Renée noted. She had expected his ears to look… different . “Yeah. Mundane,” Ein explained. “Your senses are still heightened like this?” Renée asked. In human form. Ein shrugged. “I guess so. Why?” Of course, mundane-masking Moon Blooded still exhibited stronger senses than mortal humans, but Renée was still a little surprised. She took another sip of her tea. “Hm, I guess it is just something I haven’t considered before.” “Just vaewolf things, perhaps ,” Ein sillily proposed. Folding his arms, he smiled weakly as he gazed out the window and to the sky. Lapsing into silence, he took in the sights of the afternoon. But there was not much to see, the suite so high above the ground. Renee’s gaze followed, taking in the scenery, but after a moment, she shifted to study his face. She discovered senses of sadness and thoughtfulness, something she had seldom seen from him before. Normally, she would stay quiet. But the very look in his eyes was a trigger. She broke the silence. “I do not wish to pry, but something is troubling you,” she stated. “Huh?” he started. “What?” “What are you thinking about?” Renée asked. “Oh, nothing!” Renée raised an eyebrow again, and he sighed. “When I was little, my mom and I would do things like this together. Watch the clouds. And when my cousins came around, we’d climb the tallest tree we could find and watch the sunset. Or gaze at the stars.” He was smiling. But it was sad. Renée could tell he blinked back small tears. “You miss your family,” she observed. “Yeah,” Ein chuckled, albeit a bit forcefully. “But, I know that it’s not forever. Our families… We’ll see them all again. Someday.” But your parents… Renée wondered. They are dead. “One sweet day,” Ein smiled weakly, assured. As if that thought, that fact , even if stated aloud, would not have mattered. He continued on. “After we’d watch the sky, and walk home in the dark, I always had to watch over Emileah and Juniper, just like my mom and dad did with me. They made me feel safe, like everything was gonna be okay. I can just hope that they’re taking care of each other.” He looked out again, slowly finding Renée’s stare. “I guess we kinda do that for each other now.” He motioned a semicircle with his finger, signifying the entire household. The coven. The team. It was a momentary glance before he settled back at the window. Renée had reflected on the statement. After their trials, it was evident there was truth to it. They had started to act like a coven. A family . But under an immense challenge. She stared at Ein. Ein Indigo, a young “alpha-in-training” from an Edon Island wolf pack that maintained a sense of innocence that was truly endearing. But that side of him was consistently threatened, as he had to leave to become part of the Lunar Cycle. Had to leave to risk his life for his people, at such an early age. Her story was different from his, and yet she could relate. Leaving home so soon, growing up as a warrior. A fighter. In the hopes to see her family again. As she continued to attend high school, as she continued to give it focus and attention, she realized how miniscule her issues — her “high school-drama adolescent issues” — and the issues of her peers, were in the grand scheme of things. Nothing there risked their lives. In fact, it enriched their childlike virtue. But she knew that they weren’t truly in New Hills for skating, dating, dances or exams. Despite being kids, masquerading as average human children. They were both trying their best, and yet had so much more on the line. In a way, it was the end of their youth. They were forced to grow up. “Thank you.” Ein shifted slightly. Puzzled, he asked, “For what?” Renée continued to study the sky. “For sharing that with me.” Ein nodded, but stared at her for a while. Renée… Sororcula. It was new. He loved it. He released a small sigh. He cleared his throat, finally forming a small smile. “So… wanna play Alien Fighters 3 ?” ​ Touch Her + Die Releasing 2/ 12/202 4 A bonus from Madeline & The Moon Blooded Damian (& Maddie) Timeline: Between various Chapters ​ Content Warning: Material includes subject matter that may be intense or sensitive for readers, such as recollections of assault, trauma, loss and depictions of severe violence. Madeline + The Moon Blooded Book One of Chronicles of the Moon Blooded A.C. Haydée BN.com Amazon.com

Powered by the phases of the moon, they were known then as guardians of man. We know them now as vampires . Madeline + The Moon Blooded Chronicles of the Moon Blooded — Part 1 From A.C. Haydée comes an action-packed urban fantasy saga that blends family, vampire lore and moonlight, out of the shadows now . ​ Rating: Young Adult, New Adult. See below for list of applicable tropes and themes Disclaimer: Material may be sensitive for readers under age 16. See below for full list of content warnings SHOP For 15-year-old Madeline “Maddie” White, things like high school and music came easy. Her mother getting married? Not so much. Not too stoked about her mother, Roxana, being engaged to friend Luke Luna, Maddie quickly learns that is the least of her problems. Developing heightened senses and supernatural abilities, Maddie discovers that she is the daughter of both a mortal and a Moon Blood, a member of an ancient race of demigods powered by the phases of the moon. As she attempts to learn more, she learns that her new “stepfamily” are a powerful Moon Blooded coven, tasked with saving the race from extinction, and protecting her — their long lost princess. Before long, Maddie finds herself juggling being a typical mortal teenager during the day, and a powerful Moon Blood at night, ultimately accepting the role of the “Queen”, the bridge to stop the war between the mundane and the Moon Blooded. Growing up isn’t so easy after all. The Lunar Cycle THE "NIGHTWALKERS" OF PROJECT CLAIR DE LUNE Established and advised by Lucius Luna and the royals of Altalune — with divine guidance from Selenaia, Goddess of the Moon, PROJECT CLAIR DE LUNE is composed of the Moon Blooded’s “brightest young minds”, prodigious vampires recruited for their talents, potential, and/or indebtedness to the Empire. Representative of the different phases of the Lunar Cycle, the team — Divinity Vampires Alexander Navy and Renée Teal, vaewolf Ein Indigo, and vampire Fledgling Damian Blue — are tasked with the serious objectives of recovering their race’s lost artifacts, including Moonstones, reclaiming their history, and finding and protecting their long lost Queen, Maura Lilith, whose prophesied to end the war between the mundane and Moon Blooded. At some point during their heists, they garnered media attention from local news networks. For better or for worse. ​ Characters By: @a.c.haydee Character Art: @Liatartt ​ ⋆˖✧‧₊☽◯☾₊‧✧˖⋆ The Queen ˚◯˚｡⋆ Maddie Age 15 Half-human, half-Moon Blood Likes music, movies, sweets and streetwear The God ˚☾₊ ˚｡⋆ Alexander Age 17 Moon Blood: Divinity Vampire Loves elegance, fashion, literature, and the ladies The Mastermind ˚☽˚｡⋆ Renée Age 12 Moon Blood Hybrid Detests irresponsibility, disloyalty, and acts of injustice The Beast ˚☾˚｡⋆ Ein Age 14 Moon Blood Hybrid: Vaewolf Loves jokes, cooking, games, and adventure The Fledgling ˚◯ ˚｡⋆ Damian Age 16 Moon Blood: Vampire Hates humanity A.C. HAYDEE Series Available Now Tropes & Other Applicable Themes Achilles' Heel Ancient Conspiracy Theory Banter Be Careful What You Wish For Changeling Fantasy Diverse/Inclusive Characters Elemental Magic The Chosen One Fantastic (Fantasy) Racism First in a Series Forced Proximity - Inverted - Platonic Found Family Half-Human Hybrid I Just Want to Be Normal Kid Hero Lunacy Mark of the Supernatural Opposites Attract Ordinary High-School Student Our Monsters Are Different Part-Time Hero POC Leads Reluctant Hero Secret Public Identity Sibling Team Strong Female Lead Theme Naming Tortured Heroes Touch Her & Die Tragic Past Urban Fantasy "Who Did This to You?" Witches/vampires/wolves/etc. Content Warnings This book is intended for readers age 16+, and includes content that may be sensitive for some readers, such as Strong language, profanity Violence and death Blood and gore Loss of family members Instances of racism, classism and conflict Misogyny Xenophobia Mild sexual references Alcohol references Mention of drugs, illness and addiction Allusion to partial nudity and exposure (nonsexual in nature) Discussions of mental health and poverty Graphic assault depiction :･ﾟ✧:･.☽˚｡･ﾟ✧:･. Goodreads Publication October 31, 2023 Follow

EVE & THE Legacy of Yule Discover the Legacy Available Now BN.com EVE & THE City of Yule This legend centers on Eve Alcazar’s adventures in the Nowel Provinces and the lands beyond as she is tasked in saving the world from darkness with her cousin, Nick and best friend, Desiree, as well as her personal journey as she discovers her heritage as the granddaughter of the fabled Santa Claus. Discover More... Upcoming Adventures RELEASING TBA RELEASING TBA WINTER 2023 Best book I've read this year. — Hannah W., Goodreads The Art of Eve Coming Soon Cover Art by @sophiasimaginationstudio Character Art by @maglacunadraws

The Corruption of Arcadia Preview Eve II: Hiemal Dominion , the anticipated sequel to Eve & The City of Yule . T he universe was created by a pantheon of gods. Or so, that was what the legends would proclaim. Every aspect of the world was ruled by a being of divine power. Those in Terre were blessed by Gaea, a goddess known as the mother of all life. A rcadia was in charge of balancing that life… ​ Arcadia. A goddess of the protection of the world’s balance. An icon of neutrality, no matter how evil a force may manifest. No matter how bright a light may shine. No matter how wartorn a land may become. ​ No matter how many tries the legendary King of Misery may attempt to conquer Terre. No matter how many times his opposition, the Saints of Noel, have defended it. ​ Arcadia, who remained unperturbed as Krampus’ soul was crushed into pieces following the Battle at the Arctic Circle in Terren Year 1240. It would be rare for the fragments — five scattered in the winds — to unite to resurrect the King once again, so it was certain to believe Terre may have finally found peace. ​ Arcadia, who remained dedicated to her role, uninterrupted and isolated from mortal eyes. Who lived in quiet solitude for many, many years. ​ Arcadia. An icon of neutrality — but with a fascination with the embodiment of merriment. The unique spirit of the Saint enraptured her heart. With the soul of Boreas, the goddess had never before seen a hero with such strength, and a clan with such mirth. With immense interest, Arcadia watched each successor to the Saint of Cheer, up to the fifth of present time. Observing each daring feat and brave escapade that they accomplished to save Terre from the forces of darkness. Each Conveyance celebration. Each ray of positive energy. Never before had the goddess witnessed souls so pure, full of light and courage. She found herself drawn to the spirit of the Saint, captivated by its impenetrable force for good. And as time went on, the interest grew to admiration. Admiration became affection, and affection became amor. ​ Arcadia. An icon of neutrality — that began to fade. ​ Though every heir was bound to another. The matriarch of the clan was a role dutifully respected, and each missus served as a symbol of strength, hope and wisdom to the family line. Arcadia was not ignorant to the presence of these figures in the lives of the Saints. In each and every age, a woman stood beside them, and almost every time deep fondness was found, and returned in full. And upon realization, Arcadia took moments to grieve. She knew that because of her purpose, the heavy burden of maintaining balance placed on her shoulders, she could never be with the soul she had grown to love. Various barriers kept them apart. ​ Until one day, when she discovered a potential opportunity. ​ As she noticed the current heir was unbetrothed. That the young woman who stood beside him was his kin. That his next closest associate, an aid to his family, while fitting the description of a prospective espouse, remained timid in any possible approach. And the heir, ever oblivious. ​ As Arcadia stood preoccupied, an outlet of darkness seized the chance for revenge. The shadow, cunning and perceptive, duly noted the goddess’ strong feelings of sorrow and jealousy, knowing just how to channel those emotions to an advantage in the war. The whispers of the King of Misery found their way into her heart, providing soft, deceptive promises of receiving everything she had ever desired. ​ Freedom. ​ And to be bound to the spirit of light. ​ Follow me… Do as I say… And you shall finally be with your beloved… Eternally… ​ In many tales, the feeling of love was viewed as blind. That adoration could trump common sense. While Arcadia was a figure of wisdom, her feelings became too strong to fight back. The vows were enticing. The dream of her spirit linked to the Saint of Cheer drew her in. And on the other end, the idea intrigued the King, who found honest difficulty defeating the Kringles. Perhaps throwing Saint Nicholas Kringle V to the corrupted soul of the divinity of balance would eradicate him for good. Or at least provide enough distraction for the demon’s vanquishing of the rest of the world. ​ Arcadia. The young goddess who willingly allowed the King to purge her inner light. Whose affection and curiosity warped into a perverse lust and a desperate desire to possess the iconic Saint’s soul. Who began to target Nick Kringle, a man of twenty two years, bound to succeed his legendary grandfather within the following holiday. ​ Certainly, it was unknown to the goddess just how serious the shadow was of its own desires. A force of evil, the King of Misery yearned for proper revenge once again. The darkness compelled the goddess to shift the balance of the world, the plane reviving the mirthless and fortifying the shadows. As Terre became exposed to ruin once more, Arcadia seeked the leaders of joy, aiming to erase the very phenomenon of happiness in order to revive Krampus. ​ Arcadia. Who enlisted the assistance of the Yule Lads. Who, together with the King, started to plot her conquest. ​ Arcadia. Written in history as the young goddess corrupted by both the encroaching darkness and the twisted covets of her own heart. The Plot Thickens... On Thin Ice January 9th, 2024

About the Author "Whatever, big or small, you are you after all." — BTS, "Paradise" A.C. Haydée graduated from Stetson University, where she studied creative writing and poetry. With a Bachelor’s in social sciences and theatre arts, she was able to further develop her once-hidden passion of being a storyteller. ​ When not writing, A.C. can usually be found engrossing herself in art, such as reading books or watching animation, playing video games, performing, listening to music, or drafting her next project. Though notably named after her late grandmother, Haydée, who often inspires her… to A.C.’s friends and family, she’s known as simply “Aliya.” ​ Eve & The City of Yule is her first novel. ​

Preview Eve & The City of Yule And follow the series on social media for additional updates! ART BY @MAGLADUNADRAWS In Terren Year 1224, the King of Misery, a parallel to the Saint of Cheer, awakened. His offensive was pushed back for another sixteen years, but not before afflicting a curse on his sworn enemy's young granddaughter... Chapter Two ​ E ve Alcazar was not an ordinary child. ​ She remembered her first session with Mencía, at three years old. How the woman completed a psychological evaluation on her. Mencía asked her questions such as if Eve felt satisfied in completing tasks, felt sleepy more often, or wanted to harm. ​ It would not be until Eve was much older that she would learn having these visits at her age were extremely unheard of. Eve did not realize she was... different . Considered “ill”. According to the others around her, she was. ​ After the visit, Eve was out in the garden. During her intense staredown with a butterfly on a flower bush, she heard her mother’s voice. ​ She spoke of a “monster.” ​ Mencía had stayed a little longer to chat with Mr. and Mrs. Alcazar. Her parents explained everything to the therapist. ​ A past Eve was unaware of. ​ As a baby, Eve never laughed. Both Valentin and Holly were warned this would happen. Nonetheless, they felt inferior as parents for failing to make her smile. ​ Often, Eve displayed characteristics of independence. She wanted order. She always refrained from communicating too much. She felt emotions deeply. ​ She knew anger. She knew sadness. She knew disgust, and fear. ​ But, smiling. Happiness. ​ Joy . ​ These were feelings unfamiliar. ​ At five years old, she met Nick. ​ Her cousin “from the North” — she did not know where that was. Eve found his name peculiar, but she learned he shared it with a long line of men in the family. ​ That did not change her thoughts on the matter. ​ Her parents and uncle conversed over a prolonged lunch in the dining room, but she was left alone with the nine year old boy, Nicholas V, in the living quarters. By his enthusiastic greeting that afternoon, Eve was already very taken aback by him. But, nonetheless, she listened to him intently as he shared details of his upbringing. His home. ​ “Where I’m from, it’s very cold. The snow is thick, and sometimes it can be a little annoying, but you get used to it.” ​ “Snow?” ​ “Yeah, snow!” His response was as if she was silly for even inquiring. But then he quickly realized. “Crystallization. From ice,” he explained. “It forms into a white blanket over the land, every winter. In fact—” He pulled out a book from his knapsack that lay in a corner. He opened up to a seemingly random page. “Do you like books?” ​ Do I like books? Eve had asked herself. ​ Nick remembered his parents forewarning him about his cousin’s... different personality. He moved on with a swift “Sorry, nevermind.” “This book has a drawing of a snowstorm.” Eve remembered being surprised by the illustration of a weather phenomenon so different from the warm climate of the countryside. ​ “Doesn’t snow here in Manna, huh?” Nick asked. ​ Still agape, Eve shook her head. “It is pretty warm and dry over here,” Nick chuckled. “Maybe we can fix that.” ​ His sanguine temperament reminded Eve of Desiree. She found it a little jarring, but it was manageable. He could be a friend. ​ “Here,” Nick closed the volume and handed it to her. “You can have this.” Before Eve could thank him, Nick walked over to the window, motioning her to follow. The view was a large field, right in front of the Manor. Traces of autumn marked the gardens. ​ “You see how clear this window is?” he asked. “How clear and open it is outside?” Eve nodded. ​ “Watch.” ​ Eve’s gaze followed Nick’s fingers as he placed them gently on the glass and squinted. His eyes shut. Eve even believed she heard him begin to hum. ​ Her heart stopped when she started to feel a newer sensation so close. Her palms quickly found her forearms, and moved them up. She found herself shaking. A shiver. ​ She was cold . ​ Eve noticed orange specks on the grass shifting to white. She noticed water vapor solidifying on the glass. She noticed— ​ Her uncle and parents. How they barged into the room. How her uncle grabbed Nick by the collar and took him away, before she could say goodbye. How Nick yelped, shouting his apologies at her, and how he expressed to his father that he did not mean to do any wrong. How Lorenzo later came for Nick’s belongings, but Eve only shared about the knapsack. She lied how the book was one of her own from the Manor. Her new friend was taken from her. She heard her parents murmur about the “use of magic”, but she was confused on what exactly that was. When Eve asked about Nick, they solemnly declared she should not see him again. ​ ​ ​ At seven, she remembered overhearing her parents from their bedroom as she snuck past the corridors, late into the night. Restless. She frequented the library around the hour, whenever she felt insomniac. Her actions weren’t inherently secretive, but she did not feel the need to publicize them to the rest of the household. ​ “It’s my fault, Valentin.” “Holly—” “No, it is.” ​ Eve sensed her mother’s tone being firm. Full of culpability. Guilt. ​ “I know how much we wanted this. A family,” she remembered her mother stating. She sounded on the verge of tears. “Eve... I’m sorry…” ​ At first, Eve believed that her parents regretted having her. She quickly learned that was not the case. There was no regret in having a family. There was remorse for not having a happy one. ​ “How could he have done such a thing? How will she ever be happy?” ​ There were sobs. ​ “Is she happy, Val?” ​ “Of course she is.” ​ “I just didn’t know that he would—” ​ “Holly.” Eve sensed her father’s warmth. It conflicted with her mother’s frustration. ​ Eve’s time focused on the door was limited, and she only remembered pieces of the muffled conversation. ​ A winter. A fairy. A demon, and her grandfather. ​ Eve would ask about her grandfather the following morning. Her parents declined to respond. She tried again that afternoon. Her mother tells her he is dead. ​ ​ ​ At fourteen, Eve came across Nick’s book again, deep within the archives in the library. Just like how she left it that fateful day. She opened it to the first page. Terminal Moon Eve pondered its meaning, but she grew afraid that revealing the existence of the book, telling her parents about it, would result in erasing more of Nick. ​ She grew distrustful. She began to believe she was being blocked. Prevented from doing something . ​ Or being protected from someone . ​ Was it Nick? ​ Another force? ​ Eve did not know. ​ As she continued further into the reading, a certain name stuck out. KRAMPUS ​ ​ ​ At fifteen, Eve could not stop crying. ​ ​ ​ At sixteen, she was visited every Sunday by Desiree, Mencía’s granddaughter. They would go for walks outside the Manor, just as her grandmother had advised. Walks, gardening, bicycling, all activities to boost mental health. Eve always felt the same, no matter what, but she figured the companionship with Desiree was enough to engage. Desiree would talk about her tutoring, her lessons, her family, and the books she had read, and Eve would do the same. Eve also appreciated that Desiree was the only person she could speak to about Nick. About that day . ​ “What if he’s dead, too?” Eve asked one afternoon, looking ahead on the path. Her thoughts were becoming overwhelming. She needed to tell someone. And Eve trusted her. “Don’t think that,” Desiree replied. “I think if he was, Mr. and Mrs. Alcazar would say something. They would tell you. He’s your family.” “They’re sheltering me, Desiree,” Eve acknowledged. “They’re keeping me here. They know I don’t behave like other people. They’re very selective of those around me.” ​ “Eve—” ​ “Am I wrong?” Eve stopped in her tracks, finding Desiree’s face. ​ “Eve—” ​ “What if they take you away next?” ​ “Eve.” ​ “Everyone talks about how I’m ‘so different’!” Eve mocked. “Eve, please.” “There’s a reason for everything, right?” Eve paused. She gazed at the sky. “All of this.” ​ Desiree gave a small sigh. “I believe that everything happens for some sort of purpose, yes.” ​ Eve shifted her look from the skies to her friend’s face. ​ “Do you know my purpose?” ​ Desiree was not prepared to answer. Her thoughts started to dance as she thought of her grandmother’s words. Mencía’s comments over the years, sporadic in her mind. Be nice to the Alcazars’ daughter. She doesn’t experience joy. But you are now her friend, okay? Eve is cursed. By Krampus, the winter demon. She is the granddaughter of St. Nicholas Kringle IV. Her family moved here for protection. No winter. All summer. ​ Desiree recalled. ​ Will she be lonely, Grandma? ​ It’s likely. Please take care of her. ​ “Eve.” ​ Desiree snapped out of it. ​ “I am so sorry.” ​ She hesitated, but continued. ​ “I don’t think it is my place to tell you.” “I knew it!” an outburst. A rarity. “I thought I could trust you. I can’t, can’t I?” Eve cried. Before Desiree could stop her, Eve was running down the path. “Eve!” she followed. “That’s not it. Eve!” ​ Eve Alcazar was not an ordinary child. But that did not mean that she was unloved. ​ Eve wondered when or if she would ever feel it. ​ DISCOVER THE LEGACY BN.com