The Emperor's Forbidden Bride

as colder

m her. She had braided her golden hair with trembling hands, hoping maybe-just maybe-he

oak door c

fter him like a second skin. His crimson cloak billowed, an unsp

look at he

atly, brushing off his gloves a

breath

e cracked, barel

self a drink. "Of noble blood. Lady Virelle of House Dernwick. The

back like she'

d, her voice a broken trembl

ze as sharp a

n, but even that couldn't cleanse the stain of your bloo

me. Just the sound of her he

s the hall. A small voice cal

am

clutched in one chubby hand. His curls were wild from sl

today!" he said cheerf

joy didn

"Take him away," he snapped. "I'

r f

g him in her arms protectively. "Don

's a reminder of a mistake I'm finally correcting. And y

er body trembled against the cold marble floor.

ords. "Please don't do this to us. Don't cast us o

drink in hand, walking away as if

oor, sobs wracking her slender fr

s brushing her tear-streaked fa

ently as her world crumbled around her. "Yo

____

l chandeliers sparkled like constellations overhead, casting golden hues upon

ement celebration-an af

e dais like a queen on her throne, sat Lady Virelle of House Dernwick, tall and cruelly beautiful in blood

n invited-but she'd been ordered to attend. As a show of obedience. As a warnin

ghtly, not for his prot

d behind gloved han

ned-wife, now a g

her jewels... gave t

pt her c

dy Virel

beloved Duke Alistair," she said, voice lilting with sweet

tely, catching the dou

dais. Slowly. Gracefully.

The silence was sha

poor thing. Were you lost? This celebration is for nobi

rippled thro

didn't

ell me, darling, how does it feel? To have been t

by. Watching. Holdi

le

a

a de

flicker o

ed well in the servant quarters. Oh! And how's your... bastard son doing?

ed. Her heart pounded in her ears. She coul

e whispered.

heatrically. "Oh, how tragic.

s chuckle

go of Eli

epped

mother with trembling fists

ice cracking. "My mama is kind and p

rowd

mming in his large blue eyes. "And

knees

own her cheeks-but not from sham

in the world

chos

lted. "Children should be taught thei

r said

d openly on the floor, arms wrapped around her son