In the kingdom of Vanderdash, there is no more feared warriors than that of the Scarlet Guard. Protectors of the royal family, skilled assassins trained since childhood, They follow the crown, they enforce the crown. To many, the group cloaked in red is a greater symbol of the royal family's power than the kings crown itself. Citizens respect and fear the scarlet guard, the power they hold. But within the guard there is only one who installed that very same feeling into the rest. Head of the prince's royal guard, ruthless and cunning, rarely seen by the citizens themselves. They call her Red. An expert in poisons and deception, the small girl has brought armies to their knees without once lifting a blade. A vermillion haired monster hidden behind the face of a doll. ~~ I smiled up at the men, "Would you like a cookie?" They peered into the basket I held out, spotting the heart shaped treats. "They're cinnamon with apple Jam. I do promise they are to die for." The taller mans eyes narrowed, "did you give the poor fool dead on the road a cookie?" My lips parted, "a dead man? Oh my..do you think it is safe?" "..depends on who you are miss, why did you say you were in the woods again?" I smiled gently, "I didn't." He rose a brow. "I'm delivering these," I shook the basket a bit, "to my dearest grandmama." He hesitated for only a slight second, "oh. well. be careful then. These woods can be dangerous." I nodded once still holding out the basket, "so would you?" "Would we what?" I giggle a bit, "like a cookie silly." "Ah.." he scratched the back of his head, "sorry, I'm not too fond of apples." Damn it. I sighed softly, "strawberry next time then." "Right..." As I turned to go I looked up at the two tall men, "you be careful now too gentleman. There are wolves in these woods." They nodded rigidly as I spun and began to skip off, giggling to myself. He asked the wrong question. I didn't give the dead fool a cookie. I gave him two.

In hiding as a maid, Princess Adelaide must resist the charms of the devilishly handsome Duke of Kingfield. But could he help her if she told him her secret? ***** Two years ago, Princess Adelaide was forced into hiding after her father, King William IV, was killed in a carriage accident that also took the life of her mother and brother. She suspects that the despicable man now on the throne of England--her uncle, Ernest--is responsible for her family's death, so she avoids his watchful eye by working as a maid for the aristocratic families of London. However, when she's employed by the dashing Duke of Kingfield, she soon discovers that he not only believes that the princess is alive, but also that she could be the key to saving England. Is Adelaide willing to come out of hiding in order to prove him right? Or are her growing feelings for him worth giving up her claim to the throne? [[word count: 100,000-150,000 words]] Cover designed by Holly Thurston

"I was taken into a room that one would use to entertain guests in. It was a massive dining hall draped in red curtains and dazzling black marble floors. It was beautiful. I only hoped it wouldn't be the place where my life was taken yet again by the man whom I loved oh so dearly. Just as that thought came to mind, I saw him. He was sitting on a throne in the front of the hall. He wore a black button down, silky shirt with pants just as dark. His hair had gotten longer, his lips fuller. His eyes, however, were not foreign. I had looked into those eyes so many times I had all the little blue specs memorized. He was beautiful but cold. Power radiated from him so deeply that it sent a shiver across my spine. I wanted to know the man infront of me; I wanted to love him. But I was no fool, he was different. Darker. Stronger. Colder. Elijah stood up and made his way towards me. If I had the ability to breathe, I would have held my breath. He was so gorgeous but yet so cruel. Surely made by the devil himself. He stood only a few inches away from me, looking down at my face. I watched his eyes as they scanned all my features. Only when they made their way back up to my eyes did he speak. "Undress yourself", he demanded."