••|3rd in Arranged Series|•• Can be read as a standalone I always find myself getting mesmerized by him. And today is no different. As I come into the corridor leading to the swimming pool with his favorite fresh orange juice, I am stunned by the sight in front of me. Stun is perhaps a small word. I am shocked, surprised, dazed, hypnotized, and bewitched by it. Do I do something really good in a while? Maybe Allah sometimes gives you a ton even without that. My prayers, my fascination, and my mind has always been filled with him. No doubt, I was lucky enough to behold this scene. My blood gets frozen in my veins as it can't even bring a blush to my cheeks. I am in an enchantment. He just performs a butterfly stroke and the way his beautiful and muscular back contrasts with the blue water, makes my jaw drop. He finally gets done with his daily swimming time and comes out of the water. His wet hair is stuck to his scalp and forehead. The water is dribbling through his hair, eyelids, and attractive beard. My breath gets stuck in my throat when he sweeps his hair away by his veiny hands. Allah, this is too much. When he stands up, his bare, sturdy, and muscular chest was all I can see. He grabs the towel and dries his body with it. When he reaches near me, I mum. He is just in his swimming shorts, looking so handsome. He is in his full glory and that is my weak point. "Earth to, Glasses." He snaps his fingers in front of her face. "I know I am a sight to behold but your eyes might get tired like this." The blood finally starts moving again. A flush soon creeps on my cheeks as he takes the glass of juice from me which causes his fingers to brush against my hand. I am doomed. That is for sure. Start Date: 04.03.2024 End Date: 31.05.2024

**A Blue Beard retelling** Based on Charles Perrault's fairytale, this YA Historical Fantasy short story set in Victorian England mixes romance, magic and mystery. After agreeing to an arranged marriage to escape her greedy relatives, 18-year-old heiress Amelia moves into her husband's manor determined to start a new life. But the gothic mansion's forbidding surroundings, the servants' strange demeanour and her husband's mysterious past soon awaken her suspicions. If Amelia truly wants to become the lady of the house, she'll have to discover what secrets lie beyond closed doors and unravel the mystery of the old house's forbidden room. But sometimes secrets are kept for a good reason... HIGHEST RANKING IN HISTORICAL FICTION # 44 Copyright © 2017. All works posted here are the property of EM Castellan. Please do not use without permission. Any duplication or reproduction of all or part of the work without explicit permission by the author is illegal. Cover artist: @seventhstar

Poppy Stevens, the youngest of the Stevens family, flew the nest and her over protective family as soon as she could. She has traveled the world and lived independently since she was 18. Now, she's ready to return to her roots, and an extended stay in Scotland, where he mother's family is from, seems the best way to discover her heritage. Poppy decides that the shadow of castle Alfheimr, which was her great grandfather's birthright and was long ago lost, is the best place to start her journey. However, the new laird in residence, Isaac Harrison, distrusts her and makes her visit an uphill battle. Isaac, a former Army man whose career is in search and rescue, prides himself on his toughness. However, he is unsettled by the small redheaded ray of light that enters his life and upsets the delicate balance of his newly formed life. He knows he is rude and distant toward her, but he senses the power she has to change his life yet again. When an unexpected turn of events threatens to rip Issac's new life apart, will an alliance with Poppy be the best way to save it?