Thorns

In this twisted, heart-wrenching retelling of the classic, Beauty and the Beast, Briallan, a merchant's daughter, finds herself unwittingly immersed in a world of lies and deception. King Braedon, annoyingly persistent in his attempts to win Briallan's affections, finally succeeds in snaring his prize by offering her something she can't refuse: a away to save her father who has fallen gravely ill. Feeling indebted to the king, Briallan reluctantly accepts his offer of moving into his castle with her father in order to nurture him to full recovery. It's not long after, that Braillan finds herself coaxed into the king's arms and finally his bed. In order to secure his prize, King Braedon makes a choice: to marry her to his estranged brother, Prince Aren.

Aren, with his reclusive ways and explosive temper, not to mention his lack luster manners, was the perfect solution. Briallan would have her husband in name, her honor would remain unsullied and Braedon would get to see Briallan whenever he desired. He was quite confident here would be no possibility of feelings to develop between the two and Aren would't dare deny him access. Braedon, it seems, has forgotten one thing; not everyone is as arrogant as he, and sometimes, love can find purchase in even the stoniest of hearts.

Will the solemn beauty end up with her broken beast? Will the sweet and chivalrous Ezra, who's been there from the start, stand in their way? Or, will Briallan stay true to her vow to never love again? Only time will tell how this fairy tale plays out, and Briallan might learn something very important along the way; a rose is only as strong as it's thorns.

Special Thanks to @DreamingBelieving for helping me write the blurb! It was a beast but we conquered it *hearts*