The much awaited day was here. I woke up bright and early and ate breakfast with my folks as I would not see them for almost a week.Lydia came to visit as well prior to leaving for wedding shopping. She was bubbling with happiness, explaining the quiet engagement ceremony. Everything seemed a little too good to be true.As we were lazing in the sun sipping tea and watching the hummingbirds near the beautiful petunias and hydrangea blooms, a servant came looking for me."The King wants to see you as soon as possible.""Me?" I looked at my mother anxiously."Where is the Prince? Let him know first. You never know what threats and warnings the King wants to give you.""He went to the town square with Mason but should be back anytime now," Lydia replied."Well, I think it's a bad idea to keep the King waiting. I will update Ian about it later."Both my mother and aunt called my name in a shrill voice as I was leaving."Be c

Lyra helped me braid my waist-long dark wavy hair into a neat upstyle bun. It was good to get some expert help when I was so unsure about what to wear and how to present myself in a roomful of snobs. It was 11 AM, and I was still in the mountain lodge. Ian left at seven in the morning and asked me to get some sleep and join him at the Courthouse Square in the city center before noon.I covered my dark circles with some makeup but couldn't cover the tired look on my face. I was up till late at night thinking, and Ian was merciless in the morning. He woke me up before five o'clock and seduced me with those long toned legs wrapped around me, taking over my precious sleep time."Is My Lady ready?" I heard Mr. Prim's voice from somewhere, asking one of the servants. He was going to accompany me to Ian's meeting."Lyra, I got this. Could you please give the blue file over there to Mr. Prim? I don't want to forget it."Ian asked me to bring it

I woke up with a nasty headache, and memories of last night came flooding back before I opened my eyes. I groaned and tried to stir, but there was a weight pressing me down.I gazed upon Ian. He was lying on my chest asleep, with his arms wrapped around me. I didn't want to miss a single moment that I got to hold him.The dawn was slowly breaking with snow falling hard."Ian..." I planted a wake-up kiss on his forehead.He mumbled something and went back to sleep."It's already seven o'clock. You will be late.""I am not going anywhere," he said, adjusting himself in the middle of my chest. My heart fluttered in response."Ian!" I shook him hard to wake him up.He got off the bed and gave me silent treatment while I followed him around the suite. He hustled to the bathroom and slammed the door shut.I gave the kitchen maid a list to get me some fresh produce for cooking. It was darn cold outside, and I had no intentions

Long after Ian was gone on his two-day trip, his words and thoughts played on my mind. The weight of uncertainty and heavier emotions kicked in as I tossed and turned on the bed, trying to catch up on some sleep.Ian being Ian, kept me awake until dawn when it was time for him to leave. The sandalwood and citrus notes of his perfume lingered in the air and on my body. The way those stormy grey eyes looked at me one last time, sucking me in before he kissed goodbye.He was a completely different person with me as opposed to the rest of the world. I watched him put his mask of indifference back on that gorgeous face as he walked out of my room and nodded to the guards. That tender, vulnerable side of him was instantly replaced with dominance and confidence. His strong voice was void of any emotion except for the firm authority that had taken over.It took all of my willpower to not call his name and hold him from the back to stop him from leaving. The despera

"You decided that I should have Ian's babies, and so you did shit without talking to me even once?"Why am I even surprised? I should definitely get her removed from my room right away."I did what's best for you. You are so pea-brained, it makes me wonder if you were really born to me. Didn't you see how your aunt wanted you out of this contract in a year? She wants Julia to get her chance as the Prince's mistress.""I am not worried about what she wants or doesn't. Let's talk about what you did without my consent.""Do you even hear yourself? Our folks would trade an arm and a leg to be where you are, and you don't know a thing about how to keep what you got. Be nice to the Queen and the future Duchess. You don't want them plotting and scheming against you.""Future Duchess, huh! So the plotting and scheming vamps didn't include you in their plans and lies?""What are you talking about?""Apparently, Ian got married to her last week