Chapter One
Frost
bites the velvet rose petals lining my path into the castle. Overcast skies
blur the horizon into the mountains of snow. My sister insisted on an outdoor
ceremony, even though the heart of winter settles upon us. Rose's thought
process often defies any form of logic. At leastshe came
to her senses and agreed to have the reception inside.
The
kingdom, once torn apart under the siege of dark magick ,
now rejoices at the return of its crown prince. Rose stands at his side, the
one who freed him from his bear form; the nightmare that ripped years from his
life and tore him from his family. Rose Red and Marcus found their happily
ever-after.
I
follow the long satin train trimmed in crimson dragging behind her, contrasting
the freshly fallen snow. Ginger curls drape her back beneath a lace veil.
Marcus sweeps her off her feet and carries her across the threshold of the
castle.
A
blush heats my cheeks, and I avert my eyes as they share a newlywed kiss,
expressing in actions what words can never say. I scurry to catch the frozen
bouquet of calla lilies and roses that falls from her fingertips as she forgets
the world around her, consumed by Marcus' kiss.
My
heart longs for a love like that some day . One of fury and passion, strength and seduction. But I'm far
from the woman Rose is. Where she is fire, I am water. She is bold and brazen.
I am meek and humble. I will make a dutiful housewife. She will be Marcus'
lover and mate.
As
I leave the bitters of the winter winds behind me, a heated breath dances along my neck. “You look stunning this eve, Snow,” a rich, husky voice
whispers along my ear.
A
shiver dances its way up my spine. His handsome scent of leather and sandalwood
hits my nose before I turn around. Marcus' brother, Darien.
Words
choke at the back of my throat, and I force them over my lips. “Thank you,
Prince Darien.”
He
slides around me with the grace of a dancer, grabbing hold of the hand not
clinging to my sister's forgotten flowers. With a flourish, he brings the back
of it flush to his mouth, brushing warm lips against my chilled skin. The heat
blossoming in my belly races to my cheeks, warming away the remnants of the
cold.
“ Might I have the pleasure of escorting you to the
dining hall?” Slipping his arm along mine, he doesn't wait for my response.
“ It would be my pleasure and honor, your
highness.” I drop to a curtsy, but mid-bend Darien pulls me back to a stance.
“ Please, Snow, just call me Darien. We've known each
other for months. And now we're officially in-laws. I think we can skip the
formalities from here on out.” A dash of intrigue sparkles through his
bright-blue eyes.
“ Well, Darien, thankfully you've come to my rescue. I
still find myself getting lost in your castle.” He grips tight to my arm.
Fire
torches line the halls, throwing a smattering of light along our path. While
the stone walls block the cold night winds, the crisp winter air still falls
through the cracks. A shudder rips through my limbs.
“ You're shivering.” He rushes to warm my arms,
running his large hands along the thin sleeves of my dress. “Let's get you near
the fire and warmed up. Some food and drink will do the trick.”
His
touch not only heats my arms, but my heart, and it hammers like a hummingbird
against my ribs. I've often thought of Darien since the day Rose brought him to
our manor when he sought his long lost brother Marcus. But he is a prince, and
I'm nothing but a commoner. The fact that he speaks to me is a formality on the
part of Rose marrying his brother.
He
guides me to the marbled archway of the great hall. Warmth from the roaring
fireplace along with the scent of roast and ale greet us. Tapestries and
portraits of royalty-past line the walls, watching us as we feast.
I
try to hide my wandering stare, but it falls upon the loving gazes Rose and
Marcus share between each other. Love and lust swirl in their eyes as if they
cannot wait for the feast
Frost
bites the velvet rose petals lining my path into the castle. Overcast skies
blur the horizon into the mountains of snow. My sister insisted on an outdoor
ceremony, even though the heart of winter settles upon us. Rose's thought
process often defies any form of logic. At leastshe came
to her senses and agreed to have the reception inside.
The
kingdom, once torn apart under the siege of dark magick ,
now rejoices at the return of its crown prince. Rose stands at his side, the
one who freed him from his bear form; the nightmare that ripped years from his
life and tore him from his family. Rose Red and Marcus found their happily
ever-after.
I
follow the long satin train trimmed in crimson dragging behind her, contrasting
the freshly fallen snow. Ginger curls drape her back beneath a lace veil.
Marcus sweeps her off her feet and carries her across the threshold of the
castle.
A
blush heats my cheeks, and I avert my eyes as they share a newlywed kiss,
expressing in actions what words can never say. I scurry to catch the frozen
bouquet of calla lilies and roses that falls from her fingertips as she forgets
the world around her, consumed by Marcus' kiss.
My
heart longs for a love like that some day . One of fury and passion, strength and seduction. But I'm far
from the woman Rose is. Where she is fire, I am water. She is bold and brazen.
I am meek and humble. I will make a dutiful housewife. She will be Marcus'
lover and mate.
As
I leave the bitters of the winter winds behind me, a heated breath dances along my neck. “You look stunning this eve, Snow,” a rich, husky voice
whispers along my ear.
A
shiver dances its way up my spine. His handsome scent of leather and sandalwood
hits my nose before I turn around. Marcus' brother, Darien.
Words
choke at the back of my throat, and I force them over my lips. “Thank you,
Prince Darien.”
He
slides around me with the grace of a dancer, grabbing hold of the hand not
clinging to my sister's forgotten flowers. With a flourish, he brings the back
of it flush to his mouth, brushing warm lips against my chilled skin. The heat
blossoming in my belly races to my cheeks, warming away the remnants of the
cold.
“ Might I have the pleasure of escorting you to the
dining hall?” Slipping his arm along mine, he doesn't wait for my response.
“ It would be my pleasure and honor, your
highness.” I drop to a curtsy, but mid-bend Darien pulls me back to a stance.
“ Please, Snow, just call me Darien. We've known each
other for months. And now we're officially in-laws. I think we can skip the
formalities from here on out.” A dash of intrigue sparkles through his
bright-blue eyes.
“ Well, Darien, thankfully you've come to my rescue. I
still find myself getting lost in your castle.” He grips tight to my arm.
Fire
torches line the halls, throwing a smattering of light along our path. While
the stone walls block the cold night winds, the crisp winter air still falls
through the cracks. A shudder rips through my limbs.
“ You're shivering.” He rushes to warm my arms,
running his large hands along the thin sleeves of my dress. “Let's get you near
the fire and warmed up. Some food and drink will do the trick.”
His
touch not only heats my arms, but my heart, and it hammers like a hummingbird
against my ribs. I've often thought of Darien since the day Rose brought him to
our manor when he sought his long lost brother Marcus. But he is a prince, and
I'm nothing but a commoner. The fact that he speaks to me is a formality on the
part of Rose marrying his brother.
He
guides me to the marbled archway of the great hall. Warmth from the roaring
fireplace along with the scent of roast and ale greet us. Tapestries and
portraits of royalty-past line the walls, watching us as we feast.
I
try to hide my wandering stare, but it falls upon the loving gazes Rose and
Marcus share between each other. Love and lust swirl in their eyes as if they
cannot wait for the feast
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