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.”
----
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

As he listened to Faye, the Duke picked up the stack of documents he had neatly arranged and placed in his briefcase. He sighed and looked at Faye. "Then how would you proceed with a land grab?" he asked.

"Slowly," she said. "Cautiously, making sure that no one can intercede where they shouldn't. If word gets out about your discovery, there will be bidding wars and that will drive the land prices up."

"Not to mention it will attract King Minbury's attention… And we all know that is the last thing you want right now."

Sterling nodded in agreement with Faye's assessment. She was far wiser than he had ever given her credit for. Their discussion was suddenly ended when the pope entered uninvited into the rector's office.

His face was distorted with an irritated expression. The pope narrowed his eyes and glowered at the Duke.

"Is it true?" he asked inquisitively. "I have just received word you are leaving with the Saintess back to Everton."

TREACHEROUS DISLOYALTIES - PART 2