Wars of the Heart

Amelia Luna-dynn is a young damsel of unassuming character. However, there is a deadly secret she harbours: that she is the daughter of a forbidden race, a tribe despised by the royals of the Kingdom.

She is the sole survivor of her blood, discreetly living an unseen life as a commoner. But there are scars on her back that betray her origin, requiring her to cleanse herself in order to stay alive and unrecognised.

With such reins attached to her race, it is impossible to find someone who would love her despite the dangers of her origin.

But one night, when at the verge of being eaten by beasts, she is saved by a mysterious man from the grasp of death. Curiosity drives the damsel to chase love.

Despite being downtrodden and at a loss for favours, she stumbles upon the opportunity of brushing shoulders with high society by joining a Book Club run by the wealthy and beautiful daughter of the Duke, Charlene Walterus. Amelia makes friendships with nobles and soon comes close to a romance with a man she suspects to be her secret rescuer, but is hopeless that his heart is far gone in the arms of the duke's daughter.

Will she win a wedding with the man of her dreams?

But most importantly, will her fantasies of a perfect marriage come true? Or will she suffer a strained marital relationship, with unrequited feelings, far from the heart of the one she loves?

~

Excerpt:

It was the happiest day of his life, for he had married the woman of his desires. But Miss Charlene had told him a certain bothersome fact about the origin of his newly wedded wife that he could not shake off his mind, for it was something he knew she would have told him, had it been true.

The tall man stepped into Amelia's chambers, and found her seated at the rim of the bed, blushing and fidgeting. The very sight of her innocent and gentle disposition had always brought warm sensations to engulf his heart, as it did even that very night. It made him feel the insane urge to sweep her up in his arms, to protect her and take her under his wing.

But before they would make love, there was an important question blaring at the edge of his mind.

"Y-you're here", her soft voice was almost breathless, like she had been nervous. She rose to her feet, but it was evident that she was leaning against the wall for support.

"Amelia", he tasted her name, drawing close to her. Tenderly placing a finger under her chin and lifting her face to meet his, he gazed into her eyes and asked, worried, "Is it true that you are the daughter of the Celeste Clan?"

There was silence in response and fear in her eyes. She did not deny it.

A strong feeling of hurt enveloped his chest, when he realised that she was no different. Charlene's words about her were not simply contemptuous lies of jealousy planted to his attention, but the raw truth.

~

Amelia gasped when he rammed his fist against the wall in the absolute pangs of frustration. It was like it burnt his senses to think that she would deliberately hold something as significant as her origin from his knowing, regardless of all things of his secrets that he had shared with her, while they were yet secret lovers. She knew the fault was hers, but she had been too scared to relay, for she had loved him far too much to lose him.

"Why did you hide this from me?" he breathed, voice cold and low and deadly, coloured by his unpronounced rage.

His face was dangerously close to hers, such that she could hear his very breath, seething. Tears began to pierce her eyes, threatening to fall. She had never meant to deceive him. But in that moment, she was afraid. Her fear was evident, pupils dilated and heart throbbing loud enough for the very skies to hear. Her lips were quivering and she shivered.

When his gaze swept down at her frightened disposition, there was a flicker of tenderness in his eyes. But it lasted not even as long as a moment's worth.

Then, he was cold. He did not confront her for the secrets she was keeping, but silently withdrew himself.

There were many things she wished to say in apology, but she could not find her voice. And by the time she could speak, he had left her chambers. Her voice spilt out in sobs and bitter, muffled wails. She could not believe that her fears had ruined the very first day of her marriage.

It was the day she had wished to divulge her secret to him, but it seemed like it had already been out.

~