The light from a lone torch illuminated the room around her, as she laid herself down upon the bed, her bodess still draped in the golden wedding garments she had worn all that day.
She was now married, though not by her will, by the will of her vile brother, Secondus, or Theron, as he insisted on being called by his subjects.

A gift she was, a reward from her brother, the newly crowned emperor, to his new most trusted ally, for his aid in bringing the civil war to an end.
Keturah, a tigress of the royal family of K’zer, second in the line to the Zigorian throne, reduced to a bargaining chip by her last surviving blood kin because she ‘pleased’ his friend.
K’zers were never supposed to show fear, but Keturah was afraid. She had heard rumors of what this Felorian mercenary, this Lord Taranis, had done to the wives of his enemies during the war.
She had almost been one of those poor souls, because the one she had been betrothed to one of the ‘traitors’ as her brother called them.
The civil war had torn the family apart, and now when seemed it could finally mend, Secundus...Theron, was there to cut the wound anew.

A chill went through her as the hinges of the door creaked, and the tall silhouette of a lean figured male stood in the now open doorway.
It was him, his unusual blood red fur outlining the chiseled corners of his face. His eyes caught the light of the torch, appearing like the eyes of some unearthly demon from her childhood nightmares.
Like her, he still wore his wedding clothes, in the hunter green of a Zigorian soldier.
She found herself trembling like a leaf in a cold wind as he stepped into the room and slowly closed the door behind him.

The noblewoman found herself unable to look away from his eyes, as he approached her.
She had seen those eyes stare at her from a safe distance with a hunger like some cunning dragon eyeing its prey. Yes, he reminded her of a dragon, with his unique red hide, and his unblinking, unbreakable gaze.

All the time he had lived in the palace, she had never been alone with him.
Now she was by oath and honor promised to him, to be his, until death.

“Are you afraid, my lady?” his deep voice broke the silence of the chamber, causing her to jump in her skin a little.

The words in her mind stilled, her throat feeling dry. The way he stared, she felt as if he could see right into her mind, right into her soul.


He sat down beside her, placing his hand on her side.
It was then she saw it, the first time she ever saw it upon his face.
A smile. She had never seen him smile before.
It scared her.

“There is no reason to be afraid. I would cut my own throat before I would dare harm such a beautiful and delicate rose as this...”

His words were probably meant to be comforting, but they didn’t ease her fear. With great resolve she tore her eyes from his gaze just as tears began to well up in them.
Her teeth clenched tight as she felt him shift, and lean over her.

“I understand your fear, my lady.” he whispered into her ear, “fate has put you into my hands, to have and to hold, I will take better care of you, better than the traitor who sold you to me...”

Keturah’s brow wrinking as she looked back at him.
Traitor who sold her? Her betrothed didn’t sell her. Who was he referring to?

“I’ll tell you in time, but tonight, we rest, tomorrow we will...consummate our union” The red tiger pressed his lips to her forehead, “sleep well, my dove...”