Chapter 1

Amara walked down the long dark corridor dimly lit by the candles that hung from the walls. She was restless from receiving news of her future husbands arrival earlier that day. Her father was a power hungry king who cared little for his children. Her mother the queen passed away when she was only five. Shortly after her mother's death her father had promised her marriage to the youngest prince of Farron.

As she reached the large wooden door at the end of the hall a chill ran up her spine. She opened the door that led out into a large courtyard, a cold breeze nipped at her nose. It was the middle of autumn and the leaves were beginning to fall from the trees. Amara walked out into the courtyard to the swing that hung from an old tree surrounded by large rose bushes that climbed along the branches and drooped down creating a canopy. It was her favorite spot in the whole castle. She sat on the swing in silence as she thought about what would happen tomorrow.

Tomorrow she would be married and leave her familiar castle behind and move to her future home. She wondered if Rasmus would be a kind husband or if he was as wicked as the rumors she heard. People feared him for he was nothing like his brothers. Rasmus was the third prince of Farron, he was rumored to be devilishly handsome with hair black as the feathers on a raven and eyes blue as the sea. People feared him for he looked nothing like his mother and father.

Amara looked up at the canopy as the sun began to rise in the sky. She hurried back to her room as to not anger her father. He never liked her wondering about. As she crawled back into her bed she heard a knock on the door. Her maids were here to begin her morning routine. Today it would be different though, today was her wedding day.

After she bathed her maids dressed her in a dark red gown with gold accents on the sleeves and down the back of her dress. Her favorite tiara made of golden leaves that formed into a center point holding a dark red gem was the perfect amount of jewelry although her maids still added in a necklace and earrings to match. After she was finished she descended the long staircase that led into the thrown room. She approached her father who motioned her to a table to his right. Suddenly the doors of the great hall opens and in walked Rasmus.