saltedpepper

When powerless, unfavoured Princess Soleia was arranged to marry the newly titled Duke Orion Elsher, she assumed they would find love eventually.

Who knew that her father would send off her husband mere hours later to fight a war?

Soleia was left alone to deal with an impoverished fief, a crumbling estate, and spiteful, vindictive relatives of the Duke who all wished to see her gone. 

She couldn’t leave― there was nowhere else to go. Soleia desperately wanted her husband to return so he could offer her a helping hand. However, when he did, he returned with Elowyn, a woman he claimed was his true love. 

A woman hellbent on taking her place as the rightful Duchess, no matter what she had to do to get Soleia out of the way. 

Mistreated, misunderstood, and miserable, Soleia was eventually thrown out of the estate she helped build.

Fortunately, when one door closes, another one opens. Unknown to Soleia, a man more powerful than her husband had been watching her, waiting for the right time to snatch her into his gilded cage. Duke Elsher had been foolish to let go― but the crown prince of Raxuvia wouldn’t make the same mistake.

***

Prequel to Stolen by the Rebel King.

The Hidden King's Stolen Wife

Soleia let out a tiny squeak. Ralph's hand on her chin was nothing but gentle, yet it set her skin aflame. She hurriedly stumbled a few steps back, just so she could take a breather. Her heart was racing so quickly, that she almost thought she had stumbled upon another thornhound pack.

"Soleia?" Rafael's gaze turned pleading, and he gave her a hopeful glance.

Soleia had to look away; Ralph's eyes radiated loving devotion so strong that it was weakening her knees. She had a feeling if he continued to make that face at her, she would promise him the world. That was too much power!

"Can you call me by my name again?" Rafael cajoled beseechingly, making sure to tilt Soleia's chin up so she could stare back at him, delighting in how the flush on her cheeks was spreading down her neck. One day, he would find out how low her blushes went. For now, Rafael was content with hearing his nickname from her mouth.

A Refreshing Exchange