A regent, and then, a Queen. The dirty game of politics, war, and the lies at court steal away her naivety.
A cold hearted Emperor who values nothing, except his sword and his religion. He swears by them.
A prophesy- One of them will fall by the hand of the other.
What could possibly happen when two monarchs- a Muslim Emperor and a Christian Queen break the status quo and become one?
~
Give the two a chance, and see what two opposite poles and a dangerous prophecy births.
*EXCERPT
"We have agreed upon the fact that you will never, under any circumstance, interfere in the matters of my state. However, you must understand this too, that I may be your wife, and queen, but I will never be an obedient wife to you."
"You will disobey your Emperor? That is treasonous. I could have your head for it."
"Well, at least I will go down in history as the only woman brave enough to stand up to your tyranny."
He grins, accentuating the scar beneath his right eye. "That wicked tongue of yours is as sharp as my sword, but be careful, now, my Queen, before it becomes your undoing."
Just when she's decided to leave the Town, Lady Cressida Belverst is forced to marry Lord Calan Haverston, the man who coincidentally knows a way out. Agreeing to marry for all the wrong reasons, can Cressida and Calan find out where their hearts truly belong?
***
It is impossible to leave the Town, but one woman is determined to escape with the help of her betrothed.
Lady Cressida Belverst has always been judged as a walking scandal. Oh, how she tries (on some rare occasions) to be proper! When her parents arrange for her to marry a rich lord, Cressida has had enough. She has to leave the Town because she will not be forced to live with a man she doesn't love. But what happens if the very man she's betrothed to is the only one who can help her get out?
Calan Haverston, the Lord of Easton, takes the risk and helps his betrothed by using his knowledge of the Town's secrets because he is as willing as she to stay free of marriage for reasons completely different. He has dark secrets he cannot share with her, and his life is not one he can likewise open to anyone. But what happens when she leaves after awakening desires he thought he has under control? And what happens when he finds himself longing for her?
Cressida goes to a completely different place, one she has only heard in stories and read in books, with hopes of finding what her heart has always longed for. But love, mystery and secrets will chase her and it will only be a matter of time before she realizes what her heart truly desires.
*This story is a standalone title in the Haverston Family series.