Calantha, a weak vampire princess, knows all too well the fate that awaits her; a life of servitude as a blood bag or a loveless marriage... just like her parents, but when her kingdom faces a shortage of humans to feed on, she's cast aside like a sacrificial lamb, forced into marriage with a neighbouring kingdom. *** When Calantha, a vulnerable vampire princess is sacrificed to appease an ancient dragon, she discovers a dark secret: her blood holds the power to unbind the beast. Maybe it's just a 'Calantha' thing to be used as a sacrifice... But one thing is clear, she won't back down without a fight!
Calantha's point of view:
"I, king Tharius of Eldrador, hereby announce the engagement of my daughter, Calantha, to Arin Valois, crown prince of Valotoria."
The grand hall fell silent, all eyes fixed on me making my heart sink in my chest. I feel like a trapped animal as my father's words echoed in my mind. I thought back to the days I strived so hard just to escape my ex-fiancé Lyrien.
He was a cheat, but at least, I know him. The devil I have known for years is better than an angel I just met. But now I am nothing but a pawn on my father's chess board, the board serving as father's political game and I'm about to be discarded. My life is a mess.
I remembered the long night I spent pleading to father, begging him to reconsider the betrothal, to show mercy upon me but to no avail.
A part of me thinks he will agree since I am his only female child. But it is a far-fetched dream, his selfish desires and the kingdom's is more important than mine, than my freedom. He saw me as a tool, a means to secure an alliance with Valotoria. My protest fell on deaf ears, and now I stood before the entire court, forced to accept this fate.
"If only I had known, if only I had known it would end like this," I whispered to myself, "I would have followed Lyrien, no matter how treacherous he was, even if he is just a son of a Viscount."
Hot tears threatened to escape my eye as I gazed at the end of the wall where father sat on his humongous throne.
Arin, the stranger I was about to marry, standing a few feet at the side of the throne platform. His piercing onyx eyes seem to bore into my soul and maybe it's just my imagination but there's no warmth or kindness there. Just a calculated gaze, assessing me like a prized possession.
The agreement between Eldrador and Valotoria was clear; I was to be traded for a steady supply of human slaves. My father's words still haunted me.
"You are just a useless weak daughter." And he's right because I'm aware ... .I'm weak when compared to other female vampires and he's right for the second time because my only value lay in my ability to secure an alliance.
And as the court erupted into loud cheers and congratulations, I felt the last support holding my crumbling world crack.
Now, I'm trapped, bound to a fate I never wanted, but a part of me already knew it's inevitable. Arin's gaze on me never wavered. I wonder if he felt the same sense of obligation I felt or if he has ever felt trapped.
The ceremony moved in a blur with father's voice booming in the hall at regular intervals, outlining the terms of the agreement and conversing with his ministers.
I was to leave for Valotoria immediately, to begin my new life as Arin's bride. I know other girls would have been happy and grateful for getting engaged to a crown prince but I don't want to end up in a loveless marriage like father and mother but a part of me knows it's inevitable. The thought sent shivers and a feeling of dread down my spine.
Arin's grip on my arm was firm but soft as we exchanged vows, his eyes never leaving mine. I felt like a prisoner shackled to this stranger, this fate.
The cheers and applause faded into the background as I whispered my consent,my heart heavy with resignation.
The moment the ceremony ended, Arin released my hand, and I felt a fleeting sense of freedom but it was short-lived as he turned to me and said:
"We depart for Valotoria at dawn. Be prepared.....Calantha."
The last straw holding me together finally snapped and I stared at my father who was seated on his throne talking with a man whose beard almost reached the floor with a hateful gaze.
My eyes shifted to the second throne beside father's throne on which mother is seated, her skin as pale as snow; father had sucked her almost dry again. My fingers clenched my gown tightly.
I can't blame her, she has no power over it, she's also a pawn. I exhaled as Arin walked away, making me face the crowd alone.
I forced a smile on my face, pretending to be the obedient daughter I've always been, the willing bride I'm about to pretend to be, but inside, I'm screaming.
My heart rebelling against this fate, this life I never chose and everything as I finally moved, my head raised high and my back straight.
When broke and desperate Olivia tried to hack her way out of financial hell, she didn't expect to land in the lap of luxury - or the crosshairs of a ruthless mafia boss. Enzo's got a reputation for being merciless, but Olivia's got skills that could make her a valuable asset... or a dangerous liability. Kidnapped and thrust into a world of crime and deception, Olivia must navigate the dark side - and her own twisted desires. Who knows that a game of cat and mouse can lead to more secrets waiting to be unraveled?
Madisyn was stunned to discover that she was not her parents' biological child. Due to the real daughter's scheming, she was kicked out and became a laughingstock. Thought to be born to peasants, Madisyn was shocked to find that her real father was the richest man in the city, and her brothers were renowned figures in their respective fields. They showered her with love, only to learn that Madisyn had a thriving business of her own. "Stop pestering me!" said her ex-boyfriend. "My heart only belongs to Jenna." "How dare you think that my woman has feelings for you?" claimed a mysterious bigwig.
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
To the public, she was the CEO's executive secretary. Behind closed doors, she was the wife he never officially acknowledged. Jenessa was elated when she learned that she was pregnant. But that joy was replaced with dread as her husband, Ryan, showered his affections on his first love. With a heavy heart, she chose to set him free and leave. When they met again, Ryan's attention was caught by Jenessa's protruding belly. "Whose child are you carrying?!" he demanded. But she only scoffed. "It's none of your business, my dear ex-husband!"
They don't know I'm a girl. They all look at me and see a boy. A prince. Their kind purchase humans like me for their lustful desires. And, when they stormed into our kingdom to buy my sister, I intervened to protect her. I made them take me too. The plan was to escape with my sister whenever we found a chance. How was I to know our prison would be the most fortified place in their kingdom? I was supposed to be on the sidelines. The one they had no real use for. The one they never meant to buy. But then, the most important person in their savage land-their ruthless beast king-took an interest in the "pretty little prince." How do we survive in this brutal kingdom, where everyone hates our kind and shows us no mercy? And how does someone, with a secret like mine, become a lust slave? . AUTHOR'S NOTE. This is a dark romance-dark, mature content. Highly rated 18+ Expect triggers, expect hardcore. If you're a seasoned reader of this genre, looking for something different, prepared to go in blindly not knowing what to expect at every turn, but eager to know more anyway, then dive in! . From the author of the international bestselling book: "The Alpha King's Hated Slave."
Julia and Evan were the perfect couple-or so she thought. But everything changed when Evan abruptly ended their relationship, leaving her heartbroken and unable to tell him she was carrying his child. Years later, Julia has built a life for herself and her son, Andy, while Evan has risen to unimaginable wealth and success. Their paths cross again at a chance meeting, but Julia soon discovers Evan has moved on with someone else. Julia is done with the pain. She's fought battles alone, raising a son who deserves the truth about his father, even if Evan doesn't deserve her forgiveness. When Julia told Evan years ago she had something to say, he didn't listen. Now, it's time for him to listen. But is it too late to reclaim what he lost? "We should break up," he'd said, the words cutting through her like glass. The pregnancy test in her pocket stayed hidden, just like the child they would never share. Now, it's Evan's turn to hear the truth-and to face his deepest regret.
After three loveless years, Neil's betrayal deeply wounded Katelyn. She wasted no time in getting rid of that scoundrel! After the divorce, she devoted herself to career pursuits. Rising to prominence as a top designer, skilled doctor, and brilliant hacker, she became a revered icon. Neil, realizing his grave mistake, tried in vain to win her back, only to witness her magnificent wedding to another. As their vows were broadcast on the world's largest billboard, Vincent slid a ring onto Katelyn's finger and declared, "Katelyn is now my wife, a priceless treasure. Let all who covet her beware!"