Prince Kaidën leaned back in his chair, steepling his fingers.
Arin, his trusted friend and advisor, sat opposite him.
"Last night was... enlightening," Kaidën said, a hint of satisfaction in his voice.
Arin's eyebrows rose. "With Calantha?"
Kaidën's smile grew. "Yes. She's... spirited."
Arin's expression turned cautious. "How spirited?"
Kaidën chuckled. "Defiant, but I brought her in line."
Arin's gaze probed. "Was it... consensual?"
Kaidën's smile faltered, his eyes flashing.
"That's none of your concern," he said, his tone warning.
Arin's eyes locked onto Kaidën's, a silent understanding passing.
"I'm concerned for you, Kaidën," Arin said quietly.
Kaidën's gaze dropped, his mind replaying Calantha's tears.
But his resolve hardened.
"She's my wife. She'll learn obedience."
Arin's expression remained troubled.
Arin's troubled expression lingered.
"Kaidën, I worry you're losing yourself," he said.
Kaidën's gaze snapped up.
"I'm fine," he growled.
Arin's eyes locked onto Kaidën's.
"No, you're not," he countered. "You're obsessed."
Kaidën's smile twisted.
"Perhaps I am," he admitted.
Arin's voice softened.
"Calantha's gotten under your skin, hasn't she?"
Kaidën's chuckle was low.
"She's driven me mad," he confessed.
Arin leaned forward.
"Kaidën, you couldn't resist her, could you?"
Kaidën's eyes flashed.
"No," he whispered. "I couldn't."
Arin's expression turned thoughtful.
"Maybe that's what you need," he said.
Kaidën's brow furrowed.
"What do you mean?"
Arin's smile grew.
"Someone to challenge you, to make you feel."
Kaidën's gaze dropped, his thoughts turbulent.
Calantha's face haunted him.
Kaidën's thoughts swirled, memories of Calantha flooding his mind.
Her fiery spirit.
Her tears.
Her whispered defiance.
Arin's voice brought him back.
"Kaidën, be honest with yourself," Arin said.
Kaidën's gaze snapped up.
"What do you mean?" he demanded.
Arin's expression turned serious.
"You're drawn to Calantha's strength," he said.
Kaidën's eyes narrowed.
"Go on," he commanded.
Arin leaned forward.
"You've always craved control, but Calantha challenges that."
Kaidën's jaw clenched.
"She'll learn obedience," he growled.
Arin's shake of his head was subtle.
"I think you're mistaken," he said.
Kaidën's eyes flashed.
"Explain," he ordered.
Arin's voice measured.
"Calantha's not one to be tamed."
Kaidën's smile twisted.
"We'll see about that."
Calantha's mind wandered to that fateful night.
Kaidën's passionate embrace.
Her innocent heart, shattered.
He took her purity, her choice.
Leaving her shattered, broken.
She couldn't resist, couldn't fight.
Only tears fell, silent screams.
Self-loathing consumed her.
Why did she succumb?
Why did he take?
Calantha's thoughts swirled:
Hatred for Kaidën.
Hatred for herself.
Vulnerability.
Helplessness.
She felt soiled, tainted.
Her first time, stolen.
Not love, not consent.
Just pain and shame.
Kaidën's memories of that night haunted him.
He recalled Calantha's tears.
Her silent pleas.
He knew he'd taken something precious.
Something he could never return.
Regret gnawed at his soul.
Why had he surrendered to desire?
Why had he ignored her fears?
Kaidën's thoughts swirled:
Guilt.
Remorse.
Longing.
Confusion.
He loved Calantha.
But had he destroyed her?
YOU ARE READING
The Reluctant Bride
Tiểu thuyết Lịch sử"When duty demands sacrifice, can love conquer all? In a world of royal politics and ancient alliances, Princess Calantha Valtania is forced into a marriage with Prince Kaidën Valorian of Eldrida. But Calantha's heart rebels against the arrangemen. ...
