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

Morning light streamed through the study windows as Alaric paced back and forth, the floorboards creaking under his determined stride. I watched him from the doorway, Alexander nestled against my chest, his tiny breaths warm against my skin.


"This isn't like the others," Alaric muttered, almost to himself. "This 'Curator' operates with more subtlety."


"Tell me," I said, moving into the room. "You've been distant since that note arrived yesterday."


He paused, his shoulders tense beneath his tailored jacket. The celebration of Alexander's christening felt like a distant memory now, overtaken by this new shadow.


"I'm sorry," he said, turning to face me. "I didn't want to burden you with this, especially so soon after..."


"After bringing new life into the world?" I finished for him, a hint of steel in my voice. "I'm not fragile, Alaric. Not anymore."


A small smile touched his lips. "No, you certainly aren't."


Chapter 153 - The Curator's Game