e to knocks

dagger and walked slowly to the door. He reached for the door knob, twisting it slowly with h

were pu

ven

g with King Zarie

a word, She burst

ed to be dining?"

ried unco

is dagger, concern

what h

ed him, tea

he hated seeing

"I can't marry him, P

e wanted to do more than run her shoulders. He want

now. Everything

stared

r leave your side. After a yea

na hi

ou sw

e winced slightly from the sting. He raised the injured finger

od on his fore

ears. He was the only pe

you,

ugged

savored h

ding the kitch

ding. I must fit int

schievously, "You n

led, "I have you. Yo

pretended

t." He

lothes, helped

s the corset loosened. " Gr

a throaty la

es pa

" Ravenna

, admiring her

sneaked out.

st was performing the marriage rites in front of all Valtoria. She stared blankly at Zariel, then her gaze shifted to the crowd

s, soul and mind. Thee shall be loyal and humble

red, " Yes,

response. She was silent. She could hear her m

is man? A man she didn't lov

re. She wondered if his foot still hurt, if she co

er from her thoughts. " Do y

ow. Ravenna glanced at her parents. Her mother had

cival's. He gave he

wear." She f

ria being witnesses and the great light of the sun. I pro

t her first kiss would be with someone she barely knew. Zariel sure did

part, Zariel could smell lavender on her skin. She

ttle, making the kiss l

ers at them. Zariel moved closer

ile, dear wife." He said

gave a stiff smile. Queen

er eyes beginn

celebrate my daughter's marriage, I declar

d cheere

______The grand ballroom's celebration faded as the evening drew to a close. Ravenna sat rigidly, surrounded by her p

soon, my Lord? I long to stay with my

r. Zariel continued, "Your Coronation a

efiance. King Wolfric's voice held a tinge of sadness

l nod

eluctance, wondering if her m

rose. "I must retire. I ne

she tried to es

warning: "A mother knows best, child. You'll see the good in this. I have asked Isla

offered flee

aming. Ravenna hesitated, then accep

ped her hands out of his. Zariel onl

a stood firm. "This is enough, my Lord. You

your stubbornness, Ravenna. We are married. I am y

"I was married against my

beautiful. Ravenna moved backwards till her back was aga

uickened, panic rising. Her chest rose and fell as s

g blue flames but her stubbornness wouldn't l

everything, especially your body and your obedience.

ned it's calmness, but she c

er face. Ravenna felt heat creeping up her body again. She h

lose. To

her you like it or not, you will be sharing my bed for the

hing became hea

ee met his groin. Zariel

Ravenna spat, fleei

venna sank to the f

, she

thes. She knew he was still in front o

One she had stolen from Percival. Fir

er, clutching his

Princess!

witness to Ravenna's defian

his chamber, fr

she so d

princess, would

bride, h

Rave

unds. It riled him and at t

ria's queens must be born royalty.

en would've

troub

chosen Rave

oe, painf

Zariel

ng onto

anger w

pirit both intrig

met a wom

s gaze

To obey. To submi

ve harden

for

rse his

move to bend his