Cursed by Diamonds (A Dance with Destiny Book 1) by JK Ensley, Jennifer Ensley Page B

night with him. You should be grateful he chose you.”
    “Oh, she will be. It is an awesome honor.”
    “Yesss. To know the touch of our master is to be forever under his mesmerizing spell.”
    “You will experience pure ecstasy this night, young maiden.”
    “Yesss. We’ll enjoy your screams until the dawn.”
    “Screams of pleasure. Well… mostly.”
    The wraiths cackled out their evil howls.
    Jenevier felt she would surely fall over dead from the primal fear now invading every cell of her being. She could stand it no more, but she was powerless to even move.
    The wraiths stood on either side of her, their glacial breath painfully freezing her body and her mind.
    They smiled ghoulishly as each took hold of her arms, slowly pulling her hands from the still steamy cauldron.
     

Chapter 9
    Merodach
    (MHER-ah-doc)
     
     
     
    Prince Merodach wanted Jenevier more than he had ever wanted any other woman. And there had been many.
    Something was different about her, something special. She had an enchanting spark of defiance which thrilled him. He believed with the right amount of prodding, he could witness her fiery temper first hand. The thought made his mouth water. He imagined her innocence and purity as being only a guise, a mask she used to hide the truth of her smoldering fire. The one he could sense burning white-hot… just beneath her untapped surface.
    She turned on me once already. He chuckled. That tiny little thing had the nerve to stand in my face… demanding I apologize to some commoner. He snorted out another laugh. Ahh… such delicious fire. I love her already.
    He knew for certain, this one would not beg for mercy, no. This tiny maiden wouldn’t simply fall down on her knees and plead for freedom. She would fight.
    Like a feral cat , he thought.
    She would be hard to tame once her fire had been released, yes. Ah, but the joy he would get in trying brought a wicked smile to his handsome face.
    He mentally summoned two of his wraiths to go forth from the dark realm he had created to hold them. He bade them fetch this maiden with all haste. Not a single moment was to be wasted. He would have her, for the first time, before this night was over.
    Merodach would reach his palace home about the same time his wraiths would reach Tamar Broden. And as such, he would have very little time to prepare for her arrival. The menacing thoughts he had for this fair maiden filled his wretched mind.
    Is this truly as fast as this carriage can go? Dammit all. I need more time. I wish to do this properly. This maiden has managed to actually stir me. Such a thing should be rewarded, not rushed into. He smiled, closing his eyes. Ahh… s uch a rare find. And so close to home. I’m curious. How has this fiery little angel remained hidden from me for so long? He glanced out the carriage window then, not truly seeing anything, save Jenevier. Perhaps someone was protecting her—cloaking what they knew I most desired. He smiled again. Such a valiant effort… in futility.
    When the carriage finally lurched to a stop in Wrothdem, the Prince sprang out—commanding the servants carry up his lovely wife’s many carefully wrapped packages.
    Lady Margareet was a strikingly elegant creature. She wore her hair in curls piled neatly atop her head. She carried herself with such grace and ease it was hard not to stare. Her pearl white skin was flawless, stunning. And her dainty little hands and feet showed well the years of daily pampering and tender care.
    She smiled sweetly at her husband as he took her outstretched hand, kissing it tenderly.
    “You are a vision, Milady,” he whispered. “A goddess in living flesh.”
    She returned his gentle smile. “You are too kind, Milord.”
    Margareet curtsied before lifting her skirts, heading into the palace proper. Merodach silently watched her go, still wearing the smile she had gifted him.
    The Prince counted Lady Margareet as his most precious possession, and left her wanting for