His Innocent Maiden
"You belong to me Crystal. Your smile, laugh, and body is mine." His vibrant and striking eyes met mine. His hand tightened around my wrist and pulled me closer. I dropped my eyes to the ground and tried to regain my breath. I could feel his lips press against my right ear.
"Don't be nervous now cheri," Zion whispered and lightly nipped my ear after. "I will make sure everyone in this kingdom knows you're mine and I will never let you go."
-
In the heart of Avenlara, where six great Houses hold their breath beneath the crown, the Blackwoods reign—a dynasty for over 500 years born of blood, secrets, and shadowed vows. Abraham "the Worthy" Blackwood was on the brink of death during the twenty year War of Revenge and saved by a blood bond he formed with a red scaled creature. Humans called the beast the General while Abraham called the beast friend. The Blackwoods were able to regain control from the extinct house of Tudor who betrayed the realm of Avenlara with their blood thristy greed. Abraham and his wife Ruth "the Gentle" started the Blackwood dynasty.
From their throne in the Obsidian Citadel, they have ruled for centuries, beautiful as myths and just as cruel. They do not ask for loyalty; they take it. Their power is absolute, their love conditional, their legacy written in iron and flame.
But the realm is changing.
In Valefleur, roses bloom beneath silken lies. In Monrouge, old warrior blood simmers, ready to boil. In the haunted forests of Boisclair, the trees whisper prophecies no one dares repeat. Ships vanish off the coast of Stormcote, and stormborn heirs sharpen their teeth. Dombrey cloaks its knives in velvet, while Cendralis burns with truths buried in ash.
And within the palace walls, where every smile hides a scheme, a child lives who was never meant to exist, a child whose blood could unravel dynasties. The mother is a ghost among courtiers, a beauty trapped by golden chains and secrets too dangerous to speak aloud. The father is a broken warrior that's expected to be a great ruler.
In a world where marriage is politics, desire is dangerous, and a woman's worth is written in heirs, love is the greatest rebellion of all.
And in the Blackwood court, rebellions are not tolerated.
They are hunted.
