When Princess Ravenna is thrust into an arranged marriage with rogue king of Cestria, King Zariel Blackthorne, to prevent war on her kingdom, she is forced to give up her free nature. As she becomes Queen of Cestria, she is slowly seduced and charmed by the rogue king. A bond and sizzling passion is born, Ravenna starts to see beyond the rumors and legends surrounding her husband. But beneath the surface of their sizzling passion, a dark and sinister secret lurks, threatening to consume them both. As Ravenna tries to understand the changes occuring, she is entangled in a puzzle that puts her life and that of the kingdom at risk, making her question everything - including Zariel's true intentions and who he really was. Torn between her love for the rogue king and the danger that surrounds her, Ravenna must choose: will she succumb to the darkness and risk losing herself forever, or will she trust Zariel and their all-consuming love to save them both from the evil that's closing in? or will it become their ultimate doom?
No! I will never marry the rogue king! You can't be that heartless to make me suffer this way," The air in the throne room froze at the outburst. Ravenna looked at her parents, her eyes filled with anger.
"She talked you into this didn't she, father?" Ravenna cast an accusing glance at her mother. The queen had a plain look on her beautiful face. Ravenna's tantrums didn't faze her, her head held her crown, her eyes focused on Ravenna.
"Ravenna, child, it is for the good of the kingdom." Her father said, his voice calm.
"Good of the kingdom you say? You're whisking me off like an object, without a choice? I refuse to marry the rogue King. I'll rather spend the rest of my days in the dungeon." Ravenna spat, her tone defiant, her eyes suddenly begining to water.
No, she wouldn't cry, she wasn't weak. She will refuse this shackles of slavery in the paintings of a marriage.
" Oh stop your childish mindless tantrums, Ravenna. You are a princess and it is your duty to marry for the good of the kingdom. You are twenty and three already, grow up." Her mother said with a rather stern voice. Queen Elyria stood up and walked down, her gown swooshing with each graceful step. She stood facing Ravenna.
"Ravenna, child, this is not as bad as you think. The king of Cestria is good. My dear, it is your royal duty and you have no choice in this." She said again with a stiff smile as she took out the twig in Ravenna's hair. Her long dark hair was made into two big braids, dropping to her waist.
Ravenna glared at her mother, wishing more than anything to disappear from her intimidating presence. She was nothing like her mother- fair skinned, fair haired and blue eyed.
Ravenna looked to her father, the one she was similar to. " Father, please, don't make me marry the rogue King. I promise, by the gods, I won't sneak out of the palace and go night riding anymore. I'll take my classes seriously, please don't make me suffer this way." She begged. Ravenna walked up to her father, tears in her eyes.
"The king of Cestria has promised to take care of you, my lamb." Her father's heart broke to see her cry.
"But I can't marry a man I do not love, a man I do not know!" She said.
Her mother tutted, turning her stern blue eyes to face her. " This isn't about love, Ravenna, it is about duty. Besides, I hear he's quite eye catching. You'll fall in love with him as time progresses."
The door flung open and Xanthea came in, looking exactly like their mother.
"Mother, Father." Xanthea said as she did a graceful courtesy.
See? This was a princess!
"Why didn't you just give him Xanthea? She is the prettier one and has learned a lot. I still have a lot to learn. You can't just whisk me to be queen in some strange land when I haven't learned being a princess." Ravenna said, her eyes darting from her mother to her sister.
"Stop with the excuses, Ravenna. Xanthea is already betrothed, and the king chose you. You will marry the rogue King and that is final..." Her mother said.
"A war is coming and we need to be in alliance with Cestria to save Valtoria from the raids." Her father added.
A war? They were sending her to be some sort of plea?!
"So, you're offering me as wife to the rogue King just so you can be in his good books? How hypocritic of you!" Ravenna snapped.
"You do not speak to us in such manner, Ravenna." Her father's voice thundered.
Ravenna let out a hysterical laugh.
"Ravenna!" Xanthea called softly.
"Oh, stay out of this, Princess." Ravenna spat at her sister, her voice heavy with sarcasm.
"You are offering your daughter as a bride to a ruthless king to avoid war? Are you not King Wolfric Valois the great? Cause I see nothing great in this-this marrying me off to prevent a war is a sign of weakness, father dearest," Ravenna said.
Her mother launched at her, slapping her across the face. " How dare you?"
Ravenna held her face, the faint sting from the slap still ringing in her ears. She looked up at her parents in disbelief.
"I am not asking you as your father, Ravenna, I am ordering you as your king. You will marry the king of Cestria in two days and that is final!" King Wolfric said, his eyes flashing with anger.
In the end, she was unable to hold it tears streaming down her face in an instant.
"I will never marry the rogue King. I will run away and you'll never find me!" Ravenna yelled and ran out.
"Ravenna! Get back here!" Her mother called.
"Leave her be, mother, she'll come around." Xanthea said softly to her mother.
Ravenna ran as fast as her feet could carry her, holding her gown as she went. The sheer bulk of the gown made her stumble a few times but she didn't bother with it, tears of rage and sadness blinding her.
"Raven?"
Even Percival's call hadn't stopped her. She breezed past him heading straight for her chambers.
Ravenna sobbed into her bed, her shoulders rising and falling with each sob.
"My lady, I have prepared your riding clothes." A dainty looking maid said as she entered the princess's chamber.
"Leave me, Isla." Ravenna said into the pillows.
"My lady, Lord Gwaine is waiting for you." Isla reminded softly.
Ravenna snapped, " Leave me, Isla."
"Yes, your majesty." Bowing slightly, Isla left the room, closing the doors gently.
Then, there was a knock on the door.
Ravenna gripped her sheets, her brows furrowing. She wanted to be alone. Was that so hard to understand?
"Isla, do not test my patience."
The door opened. "It's not Isla." Percival said as he stepped in.
Ravenna got off the bed and ran to hug the knight. " Oh Percy." She sobbed into his chest.
"There there now, Raven. What's the matter? Why are you so upset? Did a horse die?" Percival asked.
Ravenna let out a small chuckle.
"No, but a dead horse is better than being the rogue king's bride." Ravenna said as they broke the hug.
"Ohhh!"
"You knew?" Ravenna questioned.
"Yes, Raven. I couldn't talk them out of it and they made me understand the reason for it." Percival's voice was calm as he spoke.
Ravenna sank on the bed, her shoulders falling. " Why didn't they give Xanthea to him? She's the beautiful one and has everything they be a queen."
Percival looked at her with a cool softness. If only she knew that her dark eyes were the prettiest he'd ever seen.
"You are a beauty, Raven. Why do you think Lord Gwaine and Lord Frasier ride with you all the time?" He asked instead.
"They just enjoy losing to me." Ravenna replied with a laugh, one that sounded like music to Percival's ears.
"No, Silly. They are your admirers and have pleaded for your hand in marriage countless times." Percival sat beside her.
"I can't marry him, Percy. You have to help me escape. We could go together, please, Percival." Ravenna held his hand as she spoke.
"The king would find us and have my head on a pike." He said.
"You're in support?" Ravenna's heart broke.
"Raven, I do not support but you are a princess and Valtoria needs this alliance." Percival tried to convince her.
"No! Nonsense! This is cowardly of you to say, Percival, I thought you to be a fearless knight."Ravenna was standing now, pacing back and forth. " I need to go for a ride." She added as she went to her changing chamber to get ready.
" Your people need this, Ravenna. You don't even need to marry him for years, you can always end the marriage after a year according to the land laws. And if it interests you, Cestria is known for their mastery of alchemy. You could freely be an alchemist." Percival said.
Silence. Ravenna didn't say a word. "Raven?" He called.
"I just can't, Percy. I can't let a man I do not love bed me. I can't even think of it." Ravenna sounded frustrated.
"Consider this, Raven. I promise you, after a year, the war would have passed and I'll do everything to help you leave Cestria." Percival said again.
"You'll be coming with me then?" Ravenna asked.
"If you want, your highness." Percival said.
Silence again.
" Would you bed a woman you do not know or love, Percival?" Ravenna asked.
Percival felt his face heat up. " This isn't about that, Ravenna." He said.
Ravenna sighed. " I do not know anything about being queen."
"You'll do just fine." Percival assured her.
Ravenna stepped out of the changing chamber, now in riding clothes and her hair tied up in a messy ponytail. " Let's just go riding. I need to clear my head."
" You don't have to love him, Raven, just marry him for Valtoria." Percival said.
"For Valtoria." Ravenna repeated.
Roxanne Santos, a talented 24-year-old gymnast, finds herself in a challenging situation. She takes on a job as an exotic pole dancer in an exclusive club, all to gather the funds needed for her father's life-saving heart transplant and her sister's college fees. During her very first performance, Roxanne captures the attention of numerous male guests, including the handsome Jaxon Hearst. Little does she know, this encounter will change her life forever. In a turn of events, one of the guests follows Roxanne to the changing room, attempting to take advantage of her. But in a twist of fate, the handsome Jaxon Hearst, who turns out to be the club's owner, comes to her rescue. Roxanne is taken aback, as Jaxon doesn't fit the image she had in mind for a club owner. As Roxanne continues to showcase her talent through more performances, Jaxon becomes more intrigued by her. He seeks her presence, desiring a different kind of connection. He proposes an unconventional arrangement: for Roxanne to become his Mistress, a partner not only on the stage but also in his personal life. At first, Roxanne is shocked by his bold request, but after carefully considering her options, she decides to take a leap of faith. Jaxon, in his own way, offers Roxanne a lifeline. He promises to alleviate her father's financial burdens, providing weekly allowances in addition to her pole dancing salary. Roxanne's heart is torn between her obligations, her own desires, and the complexities of their arrangement. As Roxanne becomes Jaxon's mistress,she finds herself indulging his unconventional desires, enduring his possessiveness and witnessing his dismissive and narcissistic behavior. As time goes on, Roxanne begins to see beyond the surface. She discovers the real Jaxon, unveiling layers of vulnerability and depth that deepen her feelings for him. However, Jaxon, initially resistant to attachments, finds himself grappling with conflicting emotions. He struggles to maintain his sense of self and independence, as the love he feels for Roxanne becomes harder to deny. Roxanne embarks on a journey, navigating the delicate balance between fulfilling Jaxon's fantasies and the heartbreak that comes with loving such a complex man.
Eighteen-year-old Amora Jackson's life is turned topsy turvy when she discovers she wasn't from the world she had always known but from another - Vadina, Mystia. Born originally as Ulanni Daeva to two Mystian parents; A healer and an Essence. Her real parents are killed just after dropping her at the doorstep of a retired soldier in the human world who raises her as her own. Amora's identity is let known to her by her foster mother just on the night of her eighteenth birthday. She is confused and scared of everything happening around her as she links everything to her recurring dreams. Amora does not want to believe in the existence of another realm, she only wanted a normal life of happy high school graduation, college experience, and camping every summer with the woman she grew to know as her mother. Everything comes to a halt when something tragic happens and she finds out someone is after the powers she never knew she had. She is forced to journey into the unknown mystic lands she never believed in to fulfill her destiny as a Mystian. Her journey takes her into Vadina, her birthplace, where she meets her strange extended family, meets new friends, and also ventures into other mystic lands and to the dwelling of evil.
Sophia Drake braced herself for the worst when she was forced to move across the country in the middle of her junior year. Desperate to escape her shattered home as soon as she turns eighteen, her plans are disrupted by the enigmatic and captivating Ashford twins. Sophia can't fathom the intense attraction she feels for the twins and tries to avoid them at every turn. As she's thrust into an unfamiliar world, her past demons resurface, making her question her true identity. Will Sophia flee from her past's secrets, or will she embrace her destiny and take control of her future?
Rose looked at the reports in her hand and was in shock... The reports said that she was one month pregnant, however, how can she get pregnant when she didn't have any man in her life... "Was it because of that dream? Could I get pregnant because I have sex in my dream?" She thought... She didn't have any mental problems, however, except for this she can't able to think about anything... However, she still didn't get out of her surprise when she met the man in her dream... Kevin Davis looked at the reports in her hand and asked, "Is this child mine?" However, Rose didn't answer but asked... "Was that night not a dream?" Kevin was angry because it was his first time and she thinks it was a dream... Kevin forced her to marry him however, Rose didn't want it... She wanted to abort the child but he didn't let her... In the end... Rose agreed to marry him... She looked at Kevin's blue eyes and said, "I will marry you, however, I had two conditions..." "First, after marriage, you can't control my freedom, I still had the right to do whatever I want. Don't worry I won't harm the child." "Second, if I ever found out that you had cheated behind my back then I will leave with my child and you can't stop me..." Both of them got married... However, after she falls in love with him... She found there are hidden secrets in his past...
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."
Kallie, a mute who had been ignored by her husband for five years since their wedding, also suffered the loss of her pregnancy due to her cruel mother-in-law. After the divorce, she learned that her ex-husband had quickly gotten engaged to the woman he truly loved. Holding her slightly rounded belly, she realized that he had never really cared for her. Determined, she left him behind, treating him as a stranger. Yet, after she left, he scoured the globe in search of her. When their paths crossed once more, Kallie had already found new happiness. For the first time, he pleaded humbly, "Please don't leave me..."Â But Kallie's response was firm and dismissive, cutting through any lingering ties. "Get lost!"
Yelena discovered that she wasn't her parents' biological child. After seeing through their ploy to trade her as a pawn in a business deal, she was sent away to her barren birthplace. There, she stumbled upon her true origins—a lineage of historic opulence. Her real family showered her with love and adoration. In the face of her so-called sister's envy, Yelena conquered every adversity and took her revenge, all while showcasing her talents. She soon caught the attention of the city's most eligible bachelor. He cornered Yelena and pinned her against the wall. "It's time to reveal your true identity, darling."
“You need a bride, I need a groom. Why don’t we get married?” Both abandoned at the altar, Elyse decided to tie the knot with the disabled stranger from the venue next door. Pitying his state, she vowed to spoil him once they were married. Little did she know that he was actually a powerful tycoon. Jayden thought Elyse only married him for his money, and planned to divorce her when she was no longer of use to him. But after becoming her husband, he was faced with a new dilemma. “She keeps asking for a divorce, but I don’t want that! What should I do?”