The_Sweet_Sparrow

Beware the betrayals of fate. 
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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

Helena was eager for the knights to return quickly. She knew they would eliminate the threat of the Girox just beyond the meadow.

While she held and rocked Dahlia in her arms, she noticed the young girl weeping. Her hand clutched onto the old woman's apron front.

"Please…Mmm…Don't leave me here," she heard Dahlia sob and moan.

"Sniff, Sniff…" she sniffled as she talked in her sleep. "I p-promise I will be a good girl, mother. Don't let father sell me to Elliott." The plea in her sleeping voice was so sorrowful. "Please don't leave me here with that man."

Helena's heart twisted at hearing Dahlia beg her parents in her sleep, and she could only imagine what the young woman had suffered through, by the sound of her nightmare.

As the evening wore on, Helena noticed Dahlia's entire body was now covered in the plague's signature rosy rash, and her fever was returning. It was looking like she would not survive the night.

WHEN THE TRUTH HUNTS YOU DOWN - PART 3