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

"The king did it to make us loyal to him and the temple, to put the fear of the creator Iahn in us. So we would not grow up to practice magic, or use our powers like our parents did."

Andre continued, "I realized that the day I saw my parents executed, the moment I watched the fire consume them and they perished before my eyes."

"However, King Minbury did not bargain on there being traitors inside the temple. Like Friar Tillis, who did his best to protect us and secretly taught us to practice our gifts."

Andre snapped his fingers, and a perfect red rose materialized before Mielle's eyes.

Her breath hitched as she watched the flower open and bloom in Andre's fingertips. "You can use magic?" she asked in astonishment.

Although her amusement did not cover up the sadness she felt for Andre and losing his parents. She knew all too well herself the hole that it left in one's heart when they lost the ones they loved.

THIRD DEGREE - PART 6