I wasn't ever going to belong to Bodin.

I wasn't his for the taking!

Bodin Charters had been my friend since we were kids. Painfully shy and uncomfortable in crowds.

I was always the outgoing one. Willing to fight and shout for what I wanted.

But Bodin wanted something now.

Me.

I had told him he'd not have me countless times over the years. I was waiting for a man who wrote me sonnets and climbed walls to sneak into my chambers.

Bodin would never do any of that. He didn't have an unpredictable bone in his body...
Until he did.

My father was ill and had been for a long time. I didn't know Bodin, who'd inherited the Charter's fortune and property, had persuaded my father to make me his ward upon his deathbed.

Now my father is gone.

And Bodin is stating I can't be his ward because it'd be improper. I must become his wife.

I won't.

But as his ward, he has law over me. Law where he can make me do things I don't want to do.

And he keeps reminding me, he'll have more sway over me as my husband so I best start learning to obey him.

The devil I will.

Unfortunately, I'm finding Bodin is a far more clever devil then I expected...

His by Law  (New Link)

“Do you want breakfast?” I heard him ask for the wall. Knowing he sat on just the other side. Nearly back-to-back with me. 


I shook my head then realized he couldn’t see it. “No, Din. I just want to see my father.” 


“I’ll go check on him myself, if you promise to stay.” 


I hesitated. Wanting to lie but the one thing that Bodin and I had always honored, was our promises to each other. Despite my resentment and confusion toward him, I wasn’t yet ready to break the sanctity of that. 


I heard him slide up the wall and knew his boots thudded down the hall. It did occur to me that he must be as exhausted as I was. Knowing I could come bolting out of my chamber any moment to rush to my father’s room, he’d been waiting to fight me all night. 


I sighed. Staring at the sliver of light peering in the shudders and illuminating dust flakes dancing through the room. 


“Belle.” He called from the hallway. 


A Fatality