"Forged in Fire"

Betrayed and stranded on a hostile alien planet, immortal king Pietas faces a dire ultimatum: half a million of his loyal followers lie ensnared in cryopods, set to unlock simultaneously—potentially sealing their doom. With no technology or resources at his disposal, these pods threaten to become tombs instead of sanctuaries. As the clock ticks down, Pietas must summon every ounce of cunning to forge unexpected alliances. At his side is his sharp-tongued former captor, whose quick wit may be as dangerous as it is helpful, a brilliant telepathic weapons designer harboring secrets of her own, and a tribe of sentient panthers serving as his honor guard. In a race against time, Pietas must navigate treacherous family betrayals and external threats to save his people from a gruesome fate. Will he rise to reclaim his throne, or watch as his legacy crumbles into oblivion? See trigger warnings at the top of my website menu. Be aware: I don't say a character is claustrophobic—I write it in a way that tightens your own throat in empathy.