Rodan's Embrace

Ella awaits her husband whom she's acquired through an arranged marriage. Her overbearing mother suffocates Ella as she waits, uncomfortable in her corset and hair powder. Ella is terrified. She's very young and not ready for this. At all. But tradition dictates she must abide.

Stravos Burke is her groom-to-be.

Unbeknownst to Ella, she'll be marrying a stand-in for Stravos. The standard among the elite is to send a stand-in when the groom has been conscripted or has chosen to join the war effort.

Jonah, the groom's best-friend-turned-stand-in, arrives a bit late to his (or Stravos') wedding with torn and dirtied hose. To Ella's surprise, her groom is breathtaking, gentle, and kind. The only problem, aside from the fact that she doesn't know him, is that she is supposed to be marrying another man. Both Ella's family and Stravos' family refer to Jonah as "Stravos." Even Jonah cannot tell Ella who he really is.

If Stravos returns from war, he will take his rightful place as Ella's husband. Jonah would be dismissed. Ella would be left with a stranger once more.

This is not erotica. Just to clear that up. But it does have some disturbing elements to it. This is a work-in progress. I'll be releasing section as I write them:)