Thea's dreams have come true. She has her new love, new husband and a new life, but not everything is perfect. Being thrown in to a world so different, than she had ever experienced, brings new problems in her life, more worries, which will need to be overcome to keep her happiness and her family together. Becoming a queen is the complete opposite of what she was before. She is happy, but for how long will it last? Thea will have to endure - with help of others or completely alone. Will this be a journey of her life, that will break or make her stronger?
Heavenly bells rung on top of the tower, their rumbling sounds evoking my heart with blissful feelings. In front of me, two pearl white eyes glimmered with the same excitement I experienced. I could feel the enormous swarm of butterflies tickling my insides, lifting my happiness to the sky. His hands were warm, they held mine tight, as if he was afraid to loose me. I felt reluctant to let them go too.
All my life I dreamed about my own family, that one day some unknown force would change my life for better and would grant me this wish. It has happened and I can't describe the happiness I feel.
Next to us, reflecting glimmers of sun, sit two rings on a snow white pillow, waiting to be picked up and close a bond that will last a lifetime.
"Do you take Thea as your lawful wife, to have and hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?"
The priest's voice echoed through the light-filled church walls, making my heart feel the ambient sound. It sent pleasant shivers over my skin.
"Yes, I do!" Edmund said calmly, his lips parted in a subtle smile.
"Do you take Edmund as your lawful husband, to have and hold, from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and cherish until death do you part?" He repeated.
I felt a tear slip through my lashes as I struggled to say the words. I was just too happy. All of this felt like a dream.
Edmund gently squeezed my hand. I looked up and saw a small concern in his eyes.
"I do..." I said finally.
After priest's holy words, Edmund gently put a ring on my finger, while he hold my trembling hand.
"Thea, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "
Edmund smoothly slid a fine carved ring on my finger. It glimmered and sparkled in a sunlight filled structure.
I felt very nervous. In some way I felt glad, that only our closest people are here today. I took all the courage that was inside me and did my part.
"Edmund, receive this ring as a sign of my love and fidelity. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
I put a ring on his finger, all the while more tears were breaking through. I tried to keep them in.
"Thea, don't cry."Edmund whispered.
"Therefore I proclaim you a husband and wife. You may kiss the bride." Priest's voice boomed over. "What God joins together, let no one put asunder".
Edmund leaned closer and our lips touched. I had to keep my heart calm, otherwise it would jump out. Every time I kissed him, it felt like a first time for me, all emotions were so strong I struggled to keep myself calm at such situations. He surely felt it and took me in his embrace and his hold on my waist tightened as well as his kiss got stronger, but..... at the same time being gentle. I almost melted in his hands.
He stopped and smiled sweetly.
"Thea.... You have made me into a happiest man ever." He said quietly and gave me a feather light peck on my lips.
"Oh my god! You both look so pretty!" I heard Fiona's whining in a back. "James, why didn't you provide me with such extravagant wedding?"
Fiona slapped him with her handkerchief, getting no particular reaction out of him, just his characteristically quiet white, loving smile.
We continued to gaze at each other in silence, savoring the reality of our new life, our future as a family.
***
I woke up the next morning in my bed alone.
Time and time again I repeat this wonderful memory in my mind. A grin spread over my face, remembering his sweet whispers and kisses, that trailed over me through the night. Edmund's strong hold on me made me feel safe, being in his embrace, against his strong toned chest gave me a sense of protection. I received love, that would come from a man, my husband - something that I anticipated and which made me nervous, slightly afraid, but he showed me, that nothing is to be worried about. He was gentle and I felt him take great care of my body, that at that moment belonged to him.
I was no longer a slave, who had no right to have anything. Now we stand equally by each other as a married couple.
My palm goes over the spot where Edmund slept. It holds no warmth of him, he have left a bed quite some time ago. I hoped to open my eyes and see him laying next to me, still asleep, while I would gently stroke his silky strands of hair and watch his calm face with those dark and long eyelashes.
Is something worrying him again? Few months have gone by without any incident or anything to trouble his mind. That's what I assume, but deep down I know it is not the case. Leaving Maria behind and marrying me hasn't relieved Edmund from his main problem - becoming a king. I feel in my heart, that I might have added more to this ordeal.
Nothing changed his high status and he married me. No one knows who I am. People will question him for my origins and what happened with the engagement he had with Maria.
I slide out from the cowers, put a silky robe on myself and head to look for my husband. I can't help, but suppress a small giggle, that desperately wants to break free from my beating heart.
A husband.... I have a husband.... Edmund....
It sounds so strange in my mind. Few months ago I wouldn't dare to even dream about such thing and now, here I am.
I see Edmund sitting in a chair in the living room, basking in the morning sun rays on a balcony, that overlooks the inner garden.
I see him in deep thought, his body loosely leaned over the furniture and his legs spread out. The blinding white shirt makes him look like an angel descended from the heavens.
"Good morning..." I whisper as I stand behind him, my hand is reaching for his dark strands of hair.
"Morning, Thea." Edmund plants a soft kiss on my hand. "You should still be in a bed. I.... was planning to go back. I didn't think you would wake up so early."
"It's alright. Don't feel obligated to do such insignificant things for me."
"Insignificant? I doubt it is so for you. Sorry for ruining your first morning."
Edmund pressed my palm against his cheek and then kissed it again.
"What's up with you...? You seem troubled."
"Nothing.... Nothing for you to worry about. Not yet...."
"Not yet? Is it... Is it something to do, what priest said?"
Edmund's glistening orbs reached my worried gaze.
Many days ago, when we talked with priest about the wedding, he pointed out things about our future, about Edmund's future. No matter how much he wanted to live rest of his life like a normal nobleman, it could not be achieved in his case. People for many years have waited for a king to rise, for Edmund to finally take his throne. It could not be so easily abandoned. It was his calling given him from the time he was born. The odd trait of his bloodline, the unnaturally looking eyes had shaped the future for him, without his own choice. Edmund just couldn't leave this legacy behind so simply.
"Yeah. In truth it is so... . I am more worried about you. The inevitable difficulties you will have to go through to stay by my side." Edmund hold an apologetic look. "Thea, you will be a queen. Do you understand that?"
I couldn't deny, that this single thought made me nervous. I only hoped that Edmund will hold my hand through, whatever is stored in for us.
"He also said, that we will have to hold another wedding. For the people of Hadria to publicly mark our union. It is so bothersome, but it will need to be done. Not now, though...., but at sometime in the future. Also we will move to the capital in few days time. But don't worry about anything right now. You just rest, alright?"
"Hmm." I nodded.
I felt a slight pressure applied around my waist. First, I didn't pay attention to it, as my whole focus was on nearly dying girl in front of me. It got tighter and I felt a warmth of air hit my abs through fabric. My gaze fell on the unknown source nearly under me. Laura. Her hands wrapped around me, her face buried in to the fabric covering my stomach. I felt her hot breath hitting me hard, her small form shaking. It appeared to me, that she was crying, her sobs - silent. "Please! Let her go.... Don't be sad......" she squeezed me tighter. Sad? I was not..... My head moved up. In the dark brown glass decor, I saw my face. I felt mad, angry and all kind of other emotions, but the only one visible was the sorrow and pain. The expression I have never seen on myself before. It looked so foreign, I looked so strange in my own eyes. "Please don't kill my friend, Bryce! ..... Please.....please..... please stop it...." From the shock, I released Sharlene's ...
After a traumatic, virus infected, robot attack, Kyra has to live with her father's purchased android bodyguard. Her life long fear of robots does not make it any easier, as she have to spend all her time with this strange 'man'. He is perfect. Everyone seems to fall in love with him. But there is something more to him. What if he is not just a simple machine. Kyra notices, he is not so perfect as everyone thinks. He is acting strange and does weird things, that Kyra cannot rationalize. Time passes and it seems he is getting worse. Is she safe from her own bodyguard? What is happening to her robot? And what meaning she has in his life?
Miakoda is a young werewolf, but so different from all others in her pack and not in a good way. She have not been able to shift ever before, have not been able to find her mate nor companionship from others. But it all changes, when her working colleague offers her her friendship and a chance to go on a 'risky' trip with other youngsters. Their journey takes them to the far edge of the pack's territory, where Miakoda finally gets her answers. It should be a happiest day of her life, but it turns out for worst - a nightmare she will never be able to erase from her memory, nor probably, from her future life. She have become a part of an old tale and a part of a doom for her own pack.
"See, she is totally disobedient. You are gonna regret, if you take her." his old man said again. He didn't answer him. He bent down, little bit closer to me and pulled some strands of my hair away, to get a better look at me. My eyes were shut tight. Please, not me, not me. I was chanting in my head. He curved his smooth fingers around my chin and pulled it lightly, in attempt to make face him. As I did not, he took a stronger hold of it and forcefully made me finally look at him. "I said, look at me!" his voice was more threatening than before. I opened my blue, teary eyes and finally looked at the boy, who was bugging me.
Natalie used to think she could melt Connor’s icy heart, but she was sorely mistaken. When at last she decided to leave, she discovered that she was pregnant. Even so, she chose to quietly leave his world, prompting Connor to mobilize all of his resources and expand his business to a global scale—all in a bid to find her. But there was no trace of Natalie. Connor slowly spiraled into madness, turning the city upside down and leaving chaos in his wake. Natalie finally surfaced years later, with wealth and power of her own, only to find herself entangled with Connor once again.
Charlee was left at the altar and became a laughingstock. She tried to keep her head high, but ultimately lost it when she received a sex tape of her fiance and her half-sister. Devastated, she ended up spending a wild night with a hot stranger. It was supposed to be one-time thing, but he kept popping up, helping her with projects and revenge, all while flirting with her constantly. Charlee soon realized that it was nice having him around, until her ex suddenly appeared at her door, begging for another chance. Her tycoon lover asked, “Who will you choose? Think carefully before you answer.”
Elin spent twenty years deeply loving her husband, finally marrying him just as she'd always dreamed. But reality shattered her illusions—he wasn't the man she believed. Instead, he callously destroyed her family, crushing her heart beyond repair. At her lowest point, Ruben, equally betrayed that night, approached her steadily. "Marry me, Elin. I'll help you take revenge." Yet, after their wedding, she quickly discovered he was dangerously unpredictable. "I made a mistake. Let's divorce..." Ruben slid his arm possessively around her waist, whispering a chilling promise, "Only in death."
6 years ago, Lydia suffered a brutal betrayal orchestrated by her own husband and step-sister, who drugged her and framed her. In a twist of fate, she ended up having a one-night stand with a stranger. Don't even remember what he looked like. Later, in the throes of death, she discovered the truth about her mother's death all those years ago. In the blink of an eye, she lost everything. 6 years later, Lydia returned with her genius son, vowing to exact revenge on all her enemies! Little did she know, she encountered an incredibly familiar man at the airport! *** The man was briskly pushing open the door to the restroom, heading to the urinal. Even with such a mundane action, he did it with unparalleled elegance and grace. Lydia, following him in a daze, saw his fierce lower body and suddenly snapped back to reality. She let out a high-pitched scream, instinctively covering her eyes with her hands, her cheeks flushed, and stood there stiffly, unsure of what to do. Lambert furrowed his brows slightly but remained calm as he continued to relieve himself. The sound of water hitting the urinal made Lydia's face even redder. She angrily shouted, "You pervert!" Little did Lydia know that Lambert, seeing her in this state, had a flicker of recognition in his eyes. Memories from many years ago flashed through his mind, and his heart couldn't help but stir. It was her!
Rumors said that Lucas married an unattractive woman with no background. In the three years they were together, he remained cold and distant to Belinda, who endured in silence. Her love for him forced her to sacrifice her self-worth and her dreams. When Lucas' true love reappeared, Belinda realized that their marriage was a sham from the start, a ploy to save another woman's life. She signed the divorce papers and left. Three years later, Belinda returned as a surgical prodigy and a maestro of the piano. Lost in regret, Lucas chased her in the rain and held her tightly. "You are mine, Belinda."
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."