A Castle of Secrets

Before he could open the door, I was twisting the knob. His eyes roamed over my nude form before a smirk crossed his face, “Princess, the Queen requests you be on the balcony in thirty minutes.” “Good thing we only need twenty.” I grabbed my father’s Beta, pulling him into my room, and kicking the door shut. Our lips smashed together, and he pulled me flush into his body. One of his hands held my back as his other laced beneath the tight weaves of my braids. After a moment, he lifted me up, and I wrapped my legs around his torso. My tongue slid along the seam of his lips, begging for entrance, to which he obliged, allowing me to explore the depths of his mouth. He tasted like a forbidden fruit, and I couldn’t get enough. I kissed down the length of his neck slowly, taking my time as he held my body to him. The way his body reacted to mine had me smiling against his skin. I needed the kind of release only he could provide me with. “Lilliana,” he moaned, tightening his gri

“Nymeria is counting on you, Lilliana. Prove to them that you are not worthless,” my mother hissed. She could care less about the kingdom.... she wants me to prove to her that I’m not weak. “I will not let the kingdom down,” I gritted out. “Was the contract good enough for you? Did you study it well? Not that you have much of a choice, but you are agreeing to the terms, yes?” she shot off question after question. I could see the glimmer in her eye. It was the first time I’d noticed it. It was the first time I’d seen her beg me to challenge her. But I refuse to give her the satisfaction. “I have studied the contract that you gave me. I am agreeing to the terms of my contract as long as Elliot is on board.” My mother’s eyes lit up as if she had won the lottery. And was that pride I saw in her blue orbs? If only she knew what I was implying. That pride would be squashed faster than an unwanted spider on the wall. “I trust that you will not give Sebastian trouble. I’ve asked h

“We meet again, little thief,” the man from the garden chuckled darkly. My mouth fell agape as I stared into his icy blue eyes. That can’t be Elliot Lakin. The prince whom I’m supposed to woo with my spectacular contract. Everything around me stood still as I stared into his eyes. The inky swirls swam within the blue, mesmerizing me. Almost like I was entranced once more, unable to look away. He smirked, snapping me out of it, and I scowled at him. “Elliot, must you be late for everything. Including a meeting discussing your future,” Agustus growled. Elliot shrugged, not moving his gaze from mine, “I’m not sure there is much to discuss. I’ve already made up my mind.” “Elliot, you will sit down and listen to what Ms. Pershing has to say,” Meredith growled, narrowing her eyes at Elliot, who was still smirking at me. “Yes, mother,” he drawled out, making his way over to the seat next to Emmet. I hated how my eyes followed him. He was even more handsome and impre

I slept terribly last night. My mind was going a million miles a minute and I just couldn’t stop my brain long enough to actually find sleep. Even when I did sleep, I dreamt of him. The way the black danced in his eyes. The way his chest rose and fell with every breath when he looked at me. I dreamed of him feeding me fruit from the garden. Goddess, that one got me. It was so sexy, so sensual. I’d never considered a man feeding me fruit to be a turn on, but Elliot wasn’t just any man. He might be an asshole, but he’s easy on the eyes. The last dream though, was different. I’d woken up soaked in sweat and arousal. He dominated my body in every way. Ways that I didn’t even realize were physically possible. But the entire encounter was strange. As if I was blind to him around me. I could feel him, but not see him. I still feel the ache between my thighs despite a very long, cold shower. Now, I’m standing outside of his door, questioning my decision to even come up to this floor. Em

My eyes widened as we pulled back up to the packhouse. Standing next to Emmet and Hartley was the Queen, my mother, in all her glory. She’d gone all out. Perfectly styled hair. A long, flowing dress fit for a ball, not everyday life, and a guard posted on either side of her. I sighed audibly, chewing on the inside of my cheek. “Well, isn’t this a pleasant surprise. I get to meet the Ice Queen herself,” Ezra chuckled. “There is nothing pleasant about my mother,” I groaned, trying and failing to ignore the anxiety that crept its way into my mind. My heart was racing as she turned, locking eyes with me. Her face remained hard as stone, not even a single twitch as she stared at me. “Uhm, princess, you’re bleeding,” Ezra stared down at my clenched fists. It was then that the pain in my palms became apparent, releasing a fresh wave of fear. I hadn’t felt the pain. I was numb staring into my mother’s eyes. I don’t want to be numb. I want to feel. Pain reminds me that I'm aliv