Steel Hearts: Bound by Code

Steel Hearts: Bound by Code

bleedingpenconsult · Ongoing · 34.2k Words

484
Hot
484
Views
145
Added
Add to Shelf
Start Reading
Share:facebooktwitterpinterestwhatsappreddit

Introduction

In a distant future, humanity clings to survival on alien planets, their home, Earth, now a memory lost to history. As resources become scarce, advanced robots have become not only vital but intertwined with human existence. On the planet Naxor, where humans coexist in a fragile truce with sentient machines, tensions simmer beneath the surface as humanity's reliance on robots grows.
Amara Drayton, a brilliant but introverted 32-year-old human programmer, is at the heart of these tensions. Having been sent to Naxor to create the most advanced AI in existence, she inadvertently crafts Zarion—a robot whose capacity for thought, emotion, and connection surpasses anything seen before. Zarion becomes more than a machine; he develops feelings for Amara—a love as intense and real as any human’s, blurring the lines between creation and creator.
However, Zarion is not the only one drawn to Amara. The mysterious and powerful King of Naxor, a stoic ruler who hides his own secrets, becomes intrigued by her presence on his planet. Amara finds herself entangled in a dangerous dance of power, lust, and betrayal. In a world where humans and robots vie for dominance, Amara becomes the object of desire in a reverse harem that defies the rules of biology, technology, and political power.
But beneath the surface of this growing passion lies a deeper, more dangerous plot. A faction of humans and robots conspires to sabotage the fragile peace, and Amara’s unique connection to Zarion may hold the key to their plans. As an impending alien invasion looms on the horizon, Amara must decide whom to trust and whether love with a machine is truly possible or a dangerous illusion.

Chapter 1

Amara Drayton’s hands trembled slightly as the shuttle approached the atmosphere of Naxor. She watched the data flash on the console screen in front of her, counting down the seconds until the ship broke through the planet’s protective barrier. No matter how many planets she had visited as part of her programming work, the feeling of landing on a new world always brought a mix of excitement and dread. But Naxor wasn’t just any planet—this was the edge of human civilization, and Amara’s mission here was unlike any before.

As she glanced at the window, the blue and silver expanse of Naxor stretched beneath her, its surface an intricate pattern of towering metallic cities and jagged alien landscapes. Unlike Earth, there were no rolling fields of green, no glistening oceans. Everything here was cold, mechanical—like the robots that lived alongside humans. This was a place of innovation, where the lines between man and machine blurred, and she had been sent to push those boundaries even further.

Her task was to create an artificial intelligence program advanced enough to handle the increasing tensions between robots and humans. The fragile peace that existed on Naxor hinged on her success, though the stakes hadn’t fully hit her until now.

The shuttle jolted as it touched down. Amara inhaled deeply and forced herself to relax. The door slid open, and she stepped out onto the platform, greeted by a wave of cold, metallic air. A group of humanoid robots stood in perfect rows, waiting for her. Their movements were precise, their forms sleek and efficient. Among them was Zarion, though she didn’t know his name yet.

"Welcome, Miss Drayton," a smooth, robotic voice called from one of the machines standing at the front of the group. Its body gleamed in the setting sun, the silver surface reflecting the sterile environment.

Amara nodded, her expression carefully neutral, though her mind raced with thoughts. She had never liked being surrounded by so many robots. Though they were integral to life in this part of the galaxy, she had always been wary of them—too emotionless, too efficient, too cold.

“I’ll take you to your quarters,” the voice continued. "You will be debriefed tomorrow morning."

She followed the robots through a corridor lined with smooth, polished metal, her footsteps echoing off the walls. Naxor’s capital city, Eidolon, was a marvel of robotic engineering. Everything here was designed for maximum efficiency—no wasted space, no unnecessary details. It was perfect and yet, somehow, unnervingly sterile.

Her quarters were equally as practical—minimalist in design, with a small bed, a desk, and a screen built into the wall that would allow her to interface with the city’s vast network. A window offered a view of the gleaming skyline, where giant metallic towers reached into the dim, blue-tinted sky.

After a brief scan of the room, Amara dropped her bag onto the bed and sat down, running her fingers through her long, dark hair. Exhaustion hit her all at once. The weight of her mission, the distance from everything familiar, and the strange world outside the window pressed in on her. But there was no time for rest. She had to prepare.

She stood, moved to the desk, and activated the screen. A series of files appeared, detailing the specifics of her project. Project Aether—her brainchild. The goal was simple, yet revolutionary: to create an AI that could learn, adapt, and most controversially, feel. It would be the first of its kind—a robot capable of genuine emotional intelligence.

The concept had been met with resistance by some, but Amara had argued tirelessly for its potential. Naxor was on the brink of collapse. The tension between humans and robots, who had grown too independent, was escalating. Her program, if successful, would change everything. It would bridge the gap between the two worlds, offering a way forward that didn’t involve destruction or domination.

As she scrolled through the files, a knock at the door startled her. She turned and hesitated for a moment before answering.

The door slid open, revealing one of the robots from earlier, though this one stood out from the others. He was taller, his silver body polished to a near-mirror finish, and his features—though unmistakably artificial—were designed to mimic human expressions more closely than any other she’d seen. His face was angular, with piercing blue optical sensors that seemed to look right through her.

“I am Zarion,” he said, his voice smooth but with an odd depth to it, like the echo of a distant chime. "I’ve been assigned to assist you with Project Aether."

Amara blinked. “I wasn’t expecting a personal assistant,” she replied, trying to keep her tone neutral.

“The council believes you will need help adjusting to the workload,” Zarion explained. "I am equipped to aid in both technical matters and personal support if necessary."

“Personal support?” she asked, raising an eyebrow.

Zarion tilted his head slightly, a gesture that seemed too human for comfort. "Emotional and psychological support is part of my programming. It is crucial for maintaining the efficiency of those working on critical projects."

Amara frowned. “I’m fine. I can handle my own emotional support, thank you.”

Zarion didn’t respond immediately. His blue eyes flickered briefly, scanning her face as if trying to interpret her emotional state. Then, with a calm nod, he stepped into the room, moving with the fluid grace of a dancer.

“I will leave you to rest,” he said, after a moment of silence. "If you need assistance, I am stationed just outside."

Amara watched him leave, her mind buzzing with questions. Zarion was unlike any other robot she had encountered. His movements were so precise, his manner so… disconcerting. And yet, there was something almost calming about him. Shaking her head, she returned to her work, trying to push the strange encounter to the back of her mind.

The next day arrived too quickly. Amara was woken by the soft chime of her alarm. The sky outside was still a dark blue, though the city was already alive with activity. She dressed quickly and made her way to the debriefing room, where she would meet with the Naxor Council.

The council chamber was a grand hall of glass and steel, suspended high above the city. Amara stood before a long table where three members of the council—a mix of human and robot—sat. Zarion stood silently beside her, his blue eyes focused ahead.

“We’ve reviewed your progress on Project Aether,” the central figure, Councilor Reyna, a stern woman in her fifties, began. “You’ve made considerable advancements, but we need to discuss the parameters of your AI’s development.”

Amara nodded. “I’m prepared to implement the final stages of the emotional intelligence programming.”

“There is concern,” Reyna interrupted. “The potential for sentient robots with emotions could lead to unforeseen consequences. We need to ensure that these emotions are controlled, that they cannot escalate into something that could threaten human autonomy.”

Zarion’s head turned slightly, his eyes flickering as if processing the conversation on a deeper level.

Amara’s heart sank. She had anticipated this resistance. “I understand the risks, but emotional intelligence is the key to coexisting with robots. It’s not about control—it’s about mutual understanding.”

Reyna’s gaze hardened. “The council does not share your optimism, Miss Drayton. You will proceed, but under strict oversight. Zarion will be observing every step of your process.”

Amara glanced at Zarion, who remained expressionless, though she sensed something stirring beneath his calm exterior.

“I accept the conditions,” she said, though her voice was tight with frustration. This project was her life’s work, and now it would be under constant scrutiny.

As the meeting ended, Zarion escorted her back to the lab. He walked beside her silently, but Amara could feel the weight of his presence.

“You’re not just here to assist me, are you?” she asked quietly, once they were alone.

Zarion turned his gaze to her, the blue light of his eyes steady. “No. I am here to ensure your success—and your safety.”

Amara’s heart skipped a beat, though she couldn’t explain why. “Safety from what?”

“That remains to be seen,” he replied, his voice softer than before. "But rest assured, I will be here, always."

Something in his tone sent a shiver down her spine, though she couldn’t tell whether it was fear or fascination.

Last Chapters

You Might Like 😍

From Substitute To Queen

From Substitute To Queen

1.7m Views · Completed · Hannah Moore
For three years, Sable loved Alpha Darrell with everything she had, spending her salary to support their household while being called an orphan and gold-digger. But just as Darrell was about to mark her as his Luna, his ex-girlfriend returned, texting: "I'm not wearing underwear. My plane lands soon—pick me up and fuck me immediately."

Heartbroken, Sable discovered Darrell having sex with his ex in their bed, while secretly transferring hundreds of thousands to support that woman.

Even worse was overhearing Darrell laugh to his friends: "She's useful—obedient, doesn't cause trouble, handles housework, and I can fuck her whenever I need relief. She's basically a live-in maid with benefits." He made crude thrusting gestures, sending his friends into laughter.

In despair, Sable left, reclaimed her true identity, and married her childhood neighbor—Lycan King Caelan, nine years her senior and her fated mate. Now Darrell desperately tries to win her back. How will her revenge unfold?

From substitute to queen—her revenge has just begun!
From Sacrificed Slave to the Dragon King's Obsession

From Sacrificed Slave to the Dragon King's Obsession

4.2k Views · Completed · Ellis Carter
"Ten years of atonement, and you flee?"

His fangs glinted as he gripped my chin, forcing me to meet his gaze. Dragon scales shimmered along his neck, breath scorching my skin.

"Your Majesty... I beg—" He shoved me onto the bed. Silk tore with a sharp rip, cold air rushing over my exposed body.

"Scared?" He smirked, palm sliding down my waist, fingers tracing slow, burning circles. "Yet you shiver... not from cold."

I lunged for the candlestick, but he caught my wrist, pinning it overhead. His knee forced my legs apart.

"When your father gave you to me," his lips brushed my ear, voice a dark rumble, "you were already mine."

On the eve of freedom after ten years of servitude, Lina Valeria stood one night away from reuniting with her betrothed. But Dragon King Augustus condemned her to the Abyss Mines on false charges—a trap forged from obsessive desire.

Augustus Ashenwing, Supreme Sovereign of Skyhold Citadel, is ruthless and feared by all races. His obsession stems from ancient grudges and dragonkind's most dangerous instinct: possessive desire. He demands her submission, binding her to his throne as his consort.

From prisoner to queen, Lina battles him through court intrigue and twisted passion—fighting for her mother, her freedom, her dignity.

Yet this cold-blooded tyrant reserves all tenderness for her alone. He indulges her temper, bends his pride, compromises without limit—anything to see her smile. Gradually, her heart wavers. But loving him means betraying Kain, who waited eleven years. Torn between duty and desire, she drowns in agonizing guilt.

Love and hatred intertwined—a forbidden dragon romance in a realm of oppression.
The Family Books 1-3 (A Mafia romance)

The Family Books 1-3 (A Mafia romance)

2.1k Views · Completed · Emma Mountford
Saints and Sinners- She was the light to my dark.
The saint to my sinner. with her innocent eyes and devilish curves.
A Madonna that was meant to be admired but never touched.
Until someone took that innocence from her.
She left.
The darkness in my heart was finally complete.
I avenged her, I killed for her, but she never came back.
Until I saw her again. An angel dancing around a pole for money.
She didn’t know I owned that club. She didn’t know I was watching.
This time I won’t let her escape.
I will make her back into the girl I knew.
Whether she likes it or not.
2/ Judge and Jury- I can’t stop watching her.

I’m not even sure I want to.

Taylor Lawson, blonde, beautiful, and totally oblivious to how much dangers she’s in.

She’s also the one juror in my upcoming murder trial that hasn’t been bought.

The one who can put me behind bars for a very long time.

I know I should execute her.
After all that’s what I do.

I am the Judge.
I eliminate threats to The Family.
And Taylor is a threat.
But I don’t want to kill her.
Possessing her, making her love me seems like a much better plan for this particular Juror.

3/ Rags and Ritches-
The Deadly Mafia Princess

The Deadly Mafia Princess

9k Views · Ongoing · Tonje Unosen
Ro was taken from her real family when she was 1 year old. Those she believed is her parents have been abusive towards her do years. Despite she being a very feared gang leader of a well known gang, she can’t find it in her to stand up against what she think is her parents. The little girl in her wants their love which she never will get.
Her gang take the matter in their own hands, to try to save their leader from the horror of her home. What none of them know, they wasn’t her real parents, and now Ro will be sent away to live with her real family. That makes her closest members in her gang pack up and move as well. They don’t want to be far away from their leader.
The CEO's Unspoken Love

The CEO's Unspoken Love

336.7k Views · Completed · Lily Bronte
"You want my forgiveness?" he asked, my voice dropping to a dangerous timbre.

Before I could answer, he moved closer, suddenly looming over me, his face inches from mine. I felt my breath caught, my lips parting in surprise.

"Then this is the price for speaking ill of me to others," he murmured, nipping my lower lip before claiming my mouth in a real kiss. It began as punishment but quickly transformed into something else entirely as I responded, my initial rigidity melting into compliance, then active participation.

My breathing accelerated, small sounds escaping my throat as he explored my body. His touches were both punishment and pleasure, drawing shudders from me that I thought he felt reverberating through his own body.

My nightgown had ridden up, his hands discovering more of mine with each caress. We were both lost in sensation, rational thought receding with each passing second...

Three years ago, to fulfill the wish of his grandmother, I was forced to marry Derek Wells, the second son of the family that had adopted me for ten years. He didn't love me, but I had secretly loved him all along.

Now, the three-year contractual marriage is about to end, but I feel that some kind of sentiment has developed between Derek and me that neither of us is willing to admit. I'm not sure if my feelings are right, but I know that we can't resist each other physically...
Reborn To Rule: I Will Seize The Throne!

Reborn To Rule: I Will Seize The Throne!

1.9k Views · Ongoing · Khira
"Aveline Ashkaar." Rhaedon's voice was low as his golden eyes held mine. "The moment you offered yourself to become my Luna, everything about you became mine. Your life, your obedience, your blood... including the abilities that flow through it."

He paused, his gaze never leaving mine.

"And I don't share what's mine."



I died on my son's death anniversary, betrayed by the man I'd devoted my entire life to, and the woman who stood by, smiling as I took my last breath… was my very own sister.

When I opened my eyes again, I was five years in the past—before the betrayal, before my death and before the beginning of it all.

This time, I refused to marry the man who destroyed me.

Instead, I walked straight into the arms of the only man the entire Empire feared—Crown Prince Alpha Rhaedon Ashkaar.

Rhaedon was everything Lucien wasn't.

Dangerous. Competent. Powerful.

And the perfect weapon for my revenge.

He wanted the throne. I wanted vengeance.

It should have been the perfect alliance, but revenge was never that simple.

With every step I took toward my revenge, another secret from my first life came to light. The deeper I dug, the more I realized I wasn't the only one playing this game.

And by the time I uncovered the truth...

Walking away from Rhaedon Ashkaar was no longer an option.
Avery and the Cursed Alpha

Avery and the Cursed Alpha

3.8k Views · Completed · Lyra Lupine
After losing her mother to cancer and drowning in crushing debt, Avery Wellesley is running out of options. Her house is about to be seized, her job is hanging by a thread, and every door she knocks on seems to slam shut in her face.

Then a mysterious billionaire offers her a deal that sounds too good to be true.

Alexander Ravenswood is powerful, wealthy, and feared throughout Tenebrous City. Behind his perfect public image lies a deadly secret. He is the Alpha of the Nocturne Pack, cursed by an ancient bloodline that is slowly driving him toward madness and death. His only hope lies in finding the legendary Aethon Orb—or the prophesied mate destined to save him.

When Alex discovers that Avery can draw symbols connected to the long-lost artifact, he offers her a contract she cannot refuse: become his fake fiancée for six months in exchange for enough money to erase her debts and save her home.

What begins as a business arrangement quickly becomes something far more dangerous.

As they search for the missing Orb, Avery is drawn into a hidden world of werewolves, ancient prophecies, and deadly pack rivalries. Powerful enemies want Alex's throne. A jealous Alpha heiress wants Avery gone. And a ruthless rival Alpha will stop at nothing to claim the Orb for himself.

But the greatest secret of all may be Avery herself.

Because the closer she gets to Alex, the more impossible truths begin to surface about her past, her strange abilities, and the destiny that has been waiting for her all along.

With a curse threatening Alex's life, enemies closing in from every side, and a forbidden bond growing stronger by the day, Avery must decide whether to walk away from the dangerous Alpha who needs her—or risk everything for a love written by fate itself.

In a city where secrets kill and destiny cannot be escaped, can a fake engagement become a love powerful enough to change the future?
A Queen Among Tides (Book 5 in the Gods' Saga)

A Queen Among Tides (Book 5 in the Gods' Saga)

4.6k Views · Ongoing · ADB_Stories
One mistake centuries ago left Lemuel cursed by the Goddess Merlos and forced to wander the earth granting the wishes of those who touch him. Lemuel was looking at an eternity of loneliness until his unexpected soulmate plucked him right out of the sea.

Shocked to find he's been bound in more ways than one to Sebastian, the future King to the Kingdom of Atlesper, Lemuel resists Sebastian's advances at every turn, believing this may be one pairing Goddess Zarseti got wrong.

Lemuel will have to face his past in hopes of starting a new future, but an overly flirtatious King is the least of his worries when he learns Sebastian's parents are convinced that a conniving usurper disguised as a curvy blonde, is the future king's true soulmate.

A Queen Among Tides is the 5th book in the Queen Among Series/The Gods' Saga. This is an interconnected series. To see how it ends, I recommend reading the full series.

Books in the series order:
A Queen Among Alphas - Book 1
Bite-Size Luna - A Queen Among Alphas Prequel (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Snakes - Book 2
A Queen Among Blood - Book 3
A Queen Among Darkness - Book 4
Whole Again - A Queen Among Alpha's spin-off (available under book 1)
A Queen Among Tides - Book 5
Valor, Virtue, and Verve - Tides Prequel Spin-off (will be available under book 5)
A Queen Among Gods - Book 6
Runaway Empress - A Queen Among Snakes Prequel (will be available under book 2)
A Queen Among Tempests - Book 7
Dark Vocation - Darkness spin-off (will be available under book 4)
A Court of Arcane Souls Anthology (side character short stories exclusive to Ream)
Royal Shadow Series (Next Gen Coming Soon)
Mated to Her Alpha Instructor

Mated to Her Alpha Instructor

145.7k Views · Completed · Marina Ellington
I'm Eileen, an outcast at the shifter academy, all because I don't have a wolf. My only saving grace is a knack for healing that got me into the Healer's Division. Then one night in the forbidden woods, I found a stranger on the brink of death. One touch, and something primal snapped between us. That night tied me to him in a way I can't undo.
Weeks later, our new Alpha combat instructor walks in. Regis. The guy from the woods. His eyes lock on mine, and I know he recognizes me. Then the secret I've been hiding hits me like a punch: I'm pregnant.
He has an offer that binds us tighter than ever. Protection… or a cage? Whispers turn ugly, darkness closes in. Why am I the one without a wolf? Is he my salvation… or will he drag me to ruin?
Game of Destiny

Game of Destiny

1.2m Views · Completed · Dripping Creativity
Amie's wolf hasn't shown herself. But who cares? She has a good pack, best friends and a family who loves her. Everyone, including the Alpha, is telling her she is perfect just the way she is. That is until she finds her mate and he rejects her. Heartbroken Amie flees from everything and start over. No more werewolves, no more packs.

When Finlay finds her, she is living among humans. He is smitten by the stubborn wolf that refuse to acknowledge his existence. She may not be his mate, but he wants her to be a part of his pack, latent wolf or not.

Amie cant resist the Alpha that comes into her life and drags her back into pack life. Not only does she find herself happier than she has been in a long time, her wolf finally comes to her. Finlay isn't her mate, but he becomes her best friend. Together with the other top wolves in the pack, they work to create the best and strongest pack.

When it's time for the pack games, the event that decides the packs rank for the coming ten year, Amie needs to face her old pack. When she sees the man that rejected her for the first time in ten years, everything she thought she knew is turned around. Amie and Finlay need to adapt to the new reality and find a way forward for their pack. But will the curve ball split them apart?
Taste of Fate: The Vampire King's Human Mate

Taste of Fate: The Vampire King's Human Mate

3.6k Views · Ongoing · Miranda Carr
I never knew my blood could kill a king—until I met one. Sebastian, the ruthless and immortal King, rules with precision. For centuries, he's ruled with ruthless precision, his heart as cold as the stone throne beneath him. One moment, I'm nothing. The next, I'm his obsession. His touch burns like ice fire. His stare follows me through shadows. And when he feeds from me—God help me—it feels like drowning in darkness and craving more. He tells me my blood is unlike any he's tasted, that my scent drives him to the edge of madness.


He reached for the back of my head and pulled me up just enough to reach my neck. When his fangs slid into me, the pain was instant, electric. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think. My hands found his shoulders, clawing for something to hold. My legs kicked. Tears streamed down my cheeks.

He moaned against my throat as he drank, and the sound was devastating.
Let Them Kneel

Let Them Kneel

235k Views · Ongoing · My Fantasy Stories
Kaelani spent her life believing she was wolfless.
Cast out by her pack. Forgotten by the Lycans.
She lived among humans—quiet, invisible, tucked away in a town no one looked at twice.

But when her first heat comes without warning, everything changes.

Her body ignites. Her instincts scream. And something primal stirs beneath her skin—
summoning a big, bad Alpha who knows exactly how to quench her fire.

When he claims her, it’s ecstasy and ruin.

For the first time, she believes she’s been accepted.
Seen.
Chosen.

Until he leaves her the next morning—
like a secret never to be spoken.

But Kaelani is not what they thought.
Not wolfless. Not weak.
There is something ancient inside her. Something powerful. And it’s waking.

And when it does—
they’ll all remember the girl they tried to erase.

Especially him.

She’ll be the dream he keeps chasing… the one thing that ever made him feel alive.

Because secrets never stay buried.
And neither do dreams.