The_Sweet_Sparrow

Beware the betrayals of fate. 
—-
Sterling’s blazing red eyes bore into Faye’s terrified gaze. “My little butterfly, don’t you understand? Once a dragon is gifted something precious, he will never let it go.”
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Faye Montgomery is a young, lower-echelon noblewoman caught in a game of imperial betrayal and death.

Soon after her mother’s untimely passing, Faye is informed by her drunken and depraved stepfather that in exchange for her family’s mounting debts, she is to be sold into a contract marriage. 

Her new groom is the most celebrated and fearsome knight commander in the Eastcarin Empire.... Duke Evan Sterling Thayer of Stanhall Lake.

Upon her first meeting with the stern and icy warrior, Faye comes to understand her situation is far worse than she originally thought. She realizes she has encountered the Duke in the past. 

The young bride now believes death would have been preferable to being sold into this heartless union with her family’s former adversary and the man responsible for her current unfortunate circumstances.

However, over time, even as she struggles to liberate herself from this abomination of a man, Faye discovers their red strings of fate are more closely intertwined than she once imagined.
      
They both have become unwilling puppets of the empire. With the many hidden agendas and secrets of those in power surrounding them, they will have to put away their differences and form an alliance if they wish to survive. 

This novel was my entry into the WPC Contest for July 2023! The support everyone has shown to it is greatly appreciated. The story is full of unexpected turns that you are sure to enjoy!

…
{WARNING: Mature subject matter R-18} 
THE SEXY TIME STUFF STARTS AFTER CHAPTER THIRTY.

Disclaimer: THIS IS A WORK OF FICTION. ALL NAMES, CHARACTERS, ORGANIZATIONS, PLACES, AND EVENTS ARE EITHER THE PRODUCT OF THE AUTHOR'S IMAGINATION OR USED IN A FICTITIOUS MANNER.
                                   
Cover art is mine, so don't use it.

https://discord.gg/YbbR2dK6
email: RoseandThornbook@icloud.com

The Dragon's Fated Bride

The cleric shrugged off the knight's remarks, ignoring his warning, and turned back to face his audience at the table, "As I was saying…before I was so rudely interrupted, the girl…Kyakkk!!"

Andre reached out and gripped the cleric by the throat.

"FWOOSH! THWACK!" The next thing the holy man knew, he was lying with his back on the council room table with a madman holding a dagger to his face.

Andre's eyes held a murderous gleam. He was seething at the cleric for speaking of the duchess as a commoner. He pulled his dagger from his back. He placed it to the cleric's lips. The cold metal of the blade scraped over his delicate skin.

The mighty paladin bent close and slowly muttered, "Disrespect me all you like. I couldn't care less. However, disrespect her Grace in public or in my presence again—and I will cut out your tongue so you can no longer wag it." He asked, "Do you comprehend what I am explaining to you?"

SLIPSTREAM - PART 6