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

Hidden under the frozen, snow-covered scrub of the thicket and backed into a corner like the deer had been earlier. Dahlia smelled the acrid stench of death filling her snout once more.

Her emerald-hued eyes peered over the deer's carcass that was camouflaging her, and she trembled in terror at the vision before her.

A spectre in flowing black robes passed by her, not noticing her concealing herself from him. But behind him followed a woman in contrasting, flawless white robes.

When Dahlia caught a better glimpse, she could see the flesh of the woman's cheeks had turned grey and black from decay.

The aura she gave off made it clear to stay back.

She even noticed white bone peaking beneath the flesh hanging off her body. The woman in white reeked of the stench of rot and death.

This was where the powerful odor was emanating from.

OBSCURA NOCTIS - PART 2