Chapter 1
Victoria
The car jolted to a sudden halt, throwing me off balance in my leather seat. I released an annoyed huff as I smoothed out my sodden dress with my velvet-gloved hands. Glancing up, I met my husband Archer’s amused gaze. He wrapped his slender hands around my palm, trying to hide his smile.
His blue eyes sparkled mischievously as he surveyed the muddy terrain outside. Dark raven hair fell in waves around his face, like a hero or a villain from a romance novel.
I ran my tongue over my full, rouge tainted lips, feeling the subtle arch of my thick eyebrows furrow as I peered out the window. My eyes absorbed the dismal atmosphere, making the scenery feel even bleaker. I couldn’t help but feel like a helpless fawn, lost in the midst of a raging storm.
“Really, Archer,” I said, my voice laced with irritation. “Must we always travel on such dreadful roads?”
“My darling, it’s out of my control,” he replied, his voice even and smooth, with a slightly deep and resonant quality. I raised a brow, folding my arms and pouting like a petulant child. It was frustrating how he always managed to remain so calm, even in the face of my irritation.
The driver, a stout man with a thick mustache, leaned his head out the window. “Beggin’ your pardon, Your Grace, but we seem to have gotten stuck in the mud. I’ll have to go down and take a look.”
“Stuck in the mud,” I repeated, incredulous.
As the driver climbed down from his perch and sloshed through the mud to inspect the wheels, I couldn’t help but steal a glance at Archer again. Despite the circumstances, his handsome features never failed to make my heart skip a beat.
I leaned back against the seat, savoring the plush comfort of the leather against my skin. Closing my eyes, I took deep breaths to calm myself and quell the rising annoyance that threatened to consume me. When I opened them again, I saw Archer’s concerned expression peering back at me. His ocean-blue eyes shimmered with a glint of worry, and I couldn’t help but feel a flicker of gratitude for his attention.
“Are you quite well?” he asked, his voice smooth and even.
I shook my head, a trace of exasperation creeping into my tone. “Where are we actually going, Archer?” I demanded, my voice rising a notch.
“Promise not to flee?” he countered, his slender, long hands reaching out to grasp mine in a reassuring hold. I knew that Archer was well aware of my tendencies to flee from unpleasant situations. His expression was both playful and challenging, a silent dare for me to prove him wrong. With a sigh, I relented, not wanting to cower from a challenge.
“No, it can’t be,” I groaned, sinking further into the seat.
“I refuse to go there,” I declared, folding my arms across my chest and scowling like a petulant child.
“Victoria,” he began, a hint of warning in his voice.
I grabbed his face, pinching his cheeks with my velvet-gloved fingers. “Archer, I implore you, do not say it,” I hissed, my fingers still holding his face tightly.
A smirk appeared on his glamorous face, and he winked in a humorous sense, completely ignoring my warnings. “It’s for the greater good,” he teased, his voice laced with sarcasm and mischief. Several insults came to mind, but I refrained from uttering them, my temptation quelled by his smug smolder.
The wagon jolted with a loud thud, and I braced myself against the leather seat to keep from falling. A fresh wave of mud splattered onto my dress as the wheels spun futilely in the muck. The driver clambered back onto his seat, his clothes and face streaked with dirt and grime.
“Your Grace,” he said, panting heavily as he wiped his forehead with the back of his hand. “I have fixed the problem,” Archer nods in response. And the wagon started to move with ease.
As the car picked up speed, I felt the engine roar beneath us, sending vibrations through my body. The world outside the window turned into a blur as trees and buildings flew past us in a dizzying array of colors and shapes. My eyes widened in amazement as I took in the fast-changing scenery, feeling a rush of excitement wash over me.
Archer glanced over to me, a faint smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Enjoying the ride, my darling?” he asked, his voice smooth and husky.
I gave him a shy smile as I tugged back a loose strand of hair. “Yes, actually. It’s quite thrilling,” I replied, my full plump lips curving upwards.
Archer chuckled softly, his arched, thick eyebrows lifting in amusement. “I’m glad to hear it. I know how much you enjoy a little excitement,” he said, his dark midnight hair tousled by the wind.
My smile turned mischievous as I replied, “And you, my love? Do you not enjoy a little thrill now and then?” The car vibrated again beneath us, making me laugh.
Archer smirked at my playfulness. “Oh, I do. But I prefer to keep things...controlled,” he replied, his tone teasing.
I giggled softly. “Of course you do. Always so proper,” I said, rolling my grey eyes in mock exasperation.
“Do you agree with them?” he watches me carefully,
I furrowed my brows at his question, trying to decipher what he meant and why he chose to be so vague. It left a lot of room for interpretation. Leaning closer to his luscious frame, I asked, “Agree with what?” My tone was as dulcet and tender as the one I used earlier.
“That all wild ones should die,” he replied. He turned to me, his eyes searching mine. “Do you really not believe in magic?” he asked, his tone incredulous. I couldn’t help but let out a small laugh, finding his question funny and out of pocket. “Magic?” I said mockingly.
“I think those people are either charlatans or sick and instead of being helped and stopped.. they’re being murdered.”
He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. “Well, I do agree with you on one thing: it isn’t fair.”
“The council. This new system. That idiot in charge wants to massacre an entire group of people just because they refuse to have the same beliefs as him.” His eyes darkened with every word he uttered, and I was taken aback by the wickedness radiating from his aura. Not knowing what to do, I laughed nervously. “Aren’t you friends with that said idiot Duke of Mavancha?”
“Don’t be condescending,” I smirked as he paused and lowered his eyes slightly. He pressed his lips together, clearly annoyed or troubled, but I couldn’t detect which.
“Well, you tricked me. This is just payback,” I said.
“Oh dear!” I chuckled as he laughed, his sapphire eyes sparkling with amusement. “What a vengeful person you are, my darling.” His tone was like a melody played on the most exquisite of classical instruments. I couldn’t help but watch him in fascination as he smoldered and lowered his eyelids, his amusement still present.
“Hmm,” he responded, and his smolder deepened. My heart gushed a warm beat, and I leaned in closer to his body. I looked up to see him staring at me with immense desire.
“You look dashing today,” I blurted out, feeling flustered and fidgety.
His lips curled into a devilish smile. “Is it the coat? Does black flatter my eyes?” His tongue brushed his teeth. “Everything looks good on you.” I could see the mischief in his gaze as I examined the black coat, admiring its cut and fit. Heat rushed through my cheeks, and I avoided his rich gaze.
He turned his head, facing forward. His demeanor changed, and he was no longer smoldering. “Twice in a row! Color me impressed.” His laughter was deep and hearty, like a thunderous boom echoing through the car.
“Oh, shut up.” I punched his shoulder, a knot twists in my stomach. I didn’t know what to make of the situation, so I thought a bit of brattiness would be appropriate.
“For the record, I might smile and joke around his majesty, and my bare hands would shake his with no malicious intent, but I will celebrate a feast worth a thousand meals the day he falls,” he said, his warm eyes darkening as he spoke. I couldn’t be sure of what he meant, so I joked.
“You’re so dramatic.” I laugh, intertwining my hand with his.
“Speaking of drama, we’re here now; remember, you have to give him a chance.” He explains
“I won’t promise anything.”
