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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS historical Norse romantasy. Of the many side characters Winfrid is 1 of my faves. Christian monk who chronicles for the dragon Sigrun's friend and mentor even though she's bound to the Norse gods #Questpit #Q #A #RF #HF #F (Art by me on procreate- no AI)

Sigrun’s people are under attack. Desperate for protection, Sigrun’s uncle seeks the aid of a dragon. When the king fails to raise the dragon’s tribute and the negotiations crumble around them, Sigrun steps in with her own offer – she will serve as the dragon’s storyteller in exchange for her people’s protection.
The beautiful yet terrifying Lord of the Endless Darkness gives Sigrun one month to prove she’s worth more than gold. At night, the primordial beast hangs on her words, claiming there’s magic in her tongue. By day, she tends to his village, watched over by Audun, the dragon’s second-in-command. Audun is as fascinating as he is arrogant and Sigrun can’t suppress her growing hope that his attention is more than evaluating her on the dragon’s behalf.
But those burgeoning hopes come crashing down when ...
Historical Romantasy set in 9th Century Scandinavia
complete at 93k words
Stand alone with series potential
subverting the maiden and dragon trope
interwoven with mythology and folk tales
slow burn romance
competent heroine & respectful love interest
community and found family
Comp titles: Road of Bones by Demi Winters, The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec

“If I’m not banished, then what am I supposed to do?” she asked, stirring the liquid.
“That is up to you. I’m just the chronicler, you’re the storyteller.”
“You know about that?” she asked, surprised.
He gestured to a shelf. “Bring me the red tome.”
Winfrid flipped to the last completed page while Sigrun watched over his shoulder. In the margin, entwined with ivy and gold leaf, he had painted a maiden in a crimson dress. She stood beneath a stone arch, her golden braid spiraling down into the jaws of a dragon curled at the bottom of the page. The little figure held her arms upward, the fine curve of her mouth open as though calling out.
Sigrun touched the little version of herself, tracing the braid. To think, she had spent the afternoon making the ink that might someday record her fate.
Illustrated manuscript with text:
n the seventh day of the fifth month in the 849th year of Our Lord, King Dagfall of Skarthbyr sent a missive offering a cart of gold for the dragon’s aide. When the dragon arrived to claim his due, the deceitful king offered his own niece
in the treasurer’s place. Th dragon refused, disgusted that the king would sell his flesh and blood.
But then the maiden spoke, and as she did fate yielded to her tongue. She begged one month to prove her worth. Intrigued the dragon allowed it. And thus did the storyteller enter the dragon’s service.

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Sigrun stood behind her uncle’s throne, chin held high. Her hands longed to wring her skirt, but she forced them into obedience. When the time came to play her part, she must be poised. THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS historical romantasy 9th century Scandinavia. #questpit #Q #A #RF #HF #F

Sigrun’s people are under attack. Desperate for protection, Sigrun’s uncle, the king, seeks the aid of a dragon. When the king fails to raise the dragon’s tribute and the negotiations crumble around them, Sigrun steps in with her own offer – she will serve as the dragon’s storyteller in exchange for her people’s protection.
The beautiful yet terrifying Lord of the Endless Darkness gives Sigrun one month to prove she’s worth more than gold. At night, the primordial beast hangs on her words, claiming there’s magic in her tongue. By day, she tends to his village, watched over by Audun, the dragon’s second-in-command. Audun is as fascinating as he is arrogant and Sigrun can’t suppress her growing hope that his attention is more than evaluating her on the dragon’s behalf.
But those burgeoning hopes come crashing down when...
Complete at 93,000 words, THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS is a historical romantasy set in the Norse world of the 9th century
standalone novel but has series potential following other characters
Slow-burn romance featuring a competent heroine and respectful love interest
Will appeal to readers of The Road of Bones by Demi Winters and The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec.

Comp Titles- would sit on the shelf next to: A Fate Inked in Blood by Danielle L. Jensen, Road of Bones by Demi Winters, The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec.
Norse setting, Rune magic, Independent maidens who want more...
The twists that set this book apart: No fated destiny - Sigrun marks her own path; A gold-hoarding dragon modeled on Norse mythology; Interwoven Scandinavian folktales; Medieval Norse and Christian culture
Inspiration Titles: Norwegian Folktales by Absjornsen & Moe- Sigrun is a Norse Scheherezade; The Long Ships by Frans G. Bengtsson- Historical Norse community; Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede- The dragon isn’t the monster and the damsel doesn’t need saving.

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 24/07/2026

Behind every great dragon there's a woman with claws - this damsel doesn't need saving THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS 93k words standalone historical romantasy set in the 9th Century Norse world. Slow burn, mythology competent heroine ⚔️🔥🐉📖#questpit #Q #A #RF #HF #F

Intelligent and headstrong, Sigrun chafes at the way she is dismissed by the men in her life. If she had her choice, she would travel the world as a seeress the way her grandmother once did. Unfortunately, she has no gift for divination. Besides, she knows her role, political marriage for her uncle’s gain.
But when raiders attack her people, everything changes. Instead of being married off, Sigrun pledges herself to a dragon to buy his protection for her village
Vidmyrkr is a 900-year-old dragon who has always been fascinated by humanity. The dragon collects men the way he collects treasure, including a Roman soldier who leads his army of immortal warriors and a Christian monk who chronicles his exploits.
And now he has a Freya-blessed maiden who tells him stories. He gives her one month to prove she’s worth more than the tribute her uncle failed to raise. But this time, he’s taken on more than he bargained for.
Complete at 93,000 words, THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS is a historical romantasy set in the Norse world of the 9th century. A standalone with series potential.
Slow-burn romance
subverts the maiden and the dragon trope
Incorporates norse mythological characters and Scandinavian folk tales
Will appeal to readers of The Road of Bones by Demi Winters and The Weaver and the Witch Queen by Genevieve Gornichec.

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Vidmyrkr collects men the way he collects treasure- including a Roman soldier, Viking warriors & a monk Sigrun has one month to convince him she's worth more than gold. 🐉🔥💗⚔️ THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS 93k word historical romantasy Slow-burn #bluepit #📖 #Q #A #F #R #HS #AmQuerying

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

Behind every great dragon, there's a woman with claws. This headstrong maiden doesn't need rescuing. 🐉🔥💗 THE MAIDEN AND THE ENDLESS DARKNESS is a 93k word historical romantasy set in 9th century Scandinavia Slow-burn mythical subverting damsel/dragon trope #bluepit #📖 #Q #A #F #R #HS #AmQuerying

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

The Maiden and the Endless Darkness - 93k Romantasy set in 9th Century Scandinavia. When her uncle fails to raise the tribute to buy a dragon's protection, Sigrun, a Norse maiden pledges herself instead and must prove she's worth more than treasure. #blupit #📖 #Q #A #F #R #HS #AmQuerying

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

A sample scene that takes place after Audun, the dragon's second, tells Sigrun they can't have a relationship. Sigrun acquiesces, but she doesn't have to be gracious about it.

Audun grunted. “I’ll have to go to Skarthbyr. Make sure this wasn’t a coordinated strike.” He looked back across the frozen fields. “But if the giant was in the mountain, it’s unlikely he could do much in the South at the same time.”
Sigrun smiled thinly. “I assume I’m still not invited on this journey.” She already knew the answer. Might as well say it aloud and be done with it.
“I’ll need to move quickly.”
“Of course. As you wish, Jarl.”
He winced at her use of his title. “Somehow,” he said, “you still manage to torment me even while obeying my orders.”
“Good,” she replied. “You deserve to be tormented.”
He took a deep breath, holding it for a long count before exhaling.
Sigrun forced herself to let go of her anger. As satisfying as it was to avenge herself by baiting him, they had more serious matters to attend to. “Go. I’ll stay here to calm the Drekifolk. We’ll recover what we can from the harvest.”
“Sigrun-” he paused and then shook his head, unwilling or unable to say whatever he’d intended. His mouth quirked up at the corner, though the smile didn’t reach his eyes. “Stay out of trouble.”
Narrator's Voice: She did not stay out of trouble

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

#Profilepit #Q #F #H #R #A The Maiden and the Endless Darkness - a Norse Historical Romantacy set in 9th Century Scandinavia. Sigrun, a Norse maiden, pledges herself to a dragon in exchange for the protection of her people. 93k words, slow-burn, competent heroine, supportive love interest

Vidmyrkr is a 900-year-old dragon who has always been fascinated by humanity. The dragon collects men the way he collects treasure, including a roman soldier who leads his army of immortal warriors and a Christian monk who chronicles his exploits.

And now he has a Freya-blessed maiden who tells him stories. He gives her one month to prove she’s worth more than the tribute her uncle failed to raise. But this time, he’s taken on more than he bargained for.

At night, the primordial beast hangs on Sigrun’s words, claiming there’s magic in her tongue. By day, Sigrun tends to the dragon’s village, watched over by Audun, his second-in-command.

Audun is as fascinating as he is arrogant. An arrogance she has to admit is well-earned after she watches him cut down an ambush of raiders outnumbering them 3 to 1. All to protect her. Sigrun can’t suppress her growing hope that his attention is more than evaluating her on the dragon’s behalf.

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cjwrites477.bsky.social @cjwrites477.bsky.social · 11/07/2026

#Profilepit #Q #F #H #R #A The Maiden and the Endless Darkness - a Norse Historical Romantacy set in 9th Century Scandinavia. A Norse maiden pledges herself to a dragon in exchange for the protection of her people.

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