Cassie_Berry_9014

Living as the fifth daughter of a noble family, Amira found herself adrift in the fog of her home, neglected and overlooked by those she once called her own. Her days were spent in the solitude of the attic, a hidden oasis away from the bustling world outside.

 However, when the tumult of war erupts and she is thrust into the role of a truce offering between two formidable nations, she grapples with the uncertainty of surviving in a new kingdom known for its icy demeanor and ruthless nature. 

Will she navigate this foreign terrain and carve out a new existence she never fathomed?

(Excerpt)


  "Clean it," Zyran commanded.

"Yes, your Highness," the servant acknowledged with a respectful bow, ready to fetch the cleaning supplies.

"Not you," Zyran interjected, causing the servant to freeze in confusion.

"Her," he added, nodding in the direction of Anastasia, whose eyes widened in disbelief.

Anastasia blinked rapidly, trying to process the situation. "Pardon?" she asked.

"Clean the mess on the floor," Zyran instructed. The crowd started murmuring and Anastasia shifted uncomfortably on her knees.

"That's the servant's job, not mine. Why should I? I don't think I understand what you are trying to say Prince Zyran. My father will never approve of this," Anastasia began only to be abruptly cut off by Zyran.

"Don't make me repeat myself. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if I interfered with your task," Zyran warned.

Anastasia's lips trembled as she fought to hold back her words. She knew Zyran's reputation for being ruthless, and she didn't want to make her situation any worse than it already was.

"Get me the cleaning supplies," she instructed the servant, who was prepared to follow her command until Zyran interjected.

"No one will help you," he declared.

Anastasia's chest heaved with anger as she locked eyes with Amira, who was standing behind Zyran.

She rose to her knees, intending to fetch the cleaning supplies herself, but Zyran stopped her once again.

"Where do you think you're going?" he demanded.

"To bring the bucket," she replied with a hint of annoyance, but she quickly reminded herself to remain composed.

"I never asked you to stand up," Zyran stated.

"Then how am I supposed to clean the floor?" she inquired.

"Use your dress," Zyran replied.

The onlookers in the crowd were visibly shocked, exchanging bewildered glances and murmurs as they witnessed the unfolding scene. Anastasia's cheeks turned crimson with embarrassment.

SCULPTURED DESIRE

Dungeon – Hours Before the Punishment

Zyran's lips curled into a wicked smirk, but it wasn't smugness. It was restraint the last veil holding back the storm gathering behind his cold, glassy stare.

His footsteps echoed sharply against the stone floor as he approached Marion's cell, hands folded behind him like a monarch restraining the urge to draw blood.

His voice came low, deliberate, almost gentle but beneath it lay a raw, splintering fury.

"Shall we date back through your sins?" he said, tilting his head with a predator's poise. "I wonder how long it'll take to peel away your skin and cut chunk by chunk until I reach your heart… and see what color it turned the day you looked at my wife."

The words were more than venom they were heartbreak sharpened into a blade.

Marion's mouth parted to speak, but nothing came. His throat constricted. He could feel the weight of Zyran's pain crashing down on him like a tide.

Keep me from turning to this