Violet_167

Isabella Beaumont figured she was making a smart, if desperate, trade: her freedom in exchange for marrying the dreaded Duke Alaric Thorne. 
Sure, the guy had a reputation darker than a moonless night, whispered about in every corner of the kingdom, but it was just a contract, right? A way to escape a brutal past that had literally left its mark on her face. 
She wasn’t expecting warmth, and definitely not passion. But then Alaric, this formidable, feared man, starts acting… protective. His unexpected kindness will make her want to throw away her protective mask and actually fall for the man who was supposed to be just her ticket to freedom. 
Just as Isabella starts believing she might actually deserve happiness, everything begins falling apart around them.
With the villains on the loose, old wounds being ripped open, and everyone’s true colors showing, is this sudden, fierce love strong enough to survive the storm? Or will the darkness from their pasts and the deadly games shatter everything they’re starting to build?

The Masked Duchess

The moment the words "raven crest" left Elara's lips, I felt Alaric's entire body tense beside me. His hand on my back turned rigid, and when I glanced up at him, I barely recognized his face. It had hardened into a mask of cold fury, his eyes darkening with a knowledge that chilled my blood.


"Blackwood," he muttered, so quietly I almost missed it.


We hurried through the palace's private corridor, Elara between us, Queen Seraphina leading the way. When we reached a small antechamber away from prying eyes, Alaric turned to Captain Orion, who had materialized at his signal.


"Send men to watch Ms. Ainsworth's establishment. Discreet but thorough," Alaric ordered, his voice unnaturally calm. "And I need immediate information on any Blackwood family members still alive or associates known to be connected to them."


"Blackwood?" I repeated, that unfamiliar name tasting like ash on my tongue.


Chapter 107 - The Raven's Crest and a Father's Ghost