The master of the Northern lands, Derek Sylvester, is a man everyone avoids.
His marriage to Etia was nothing more than a transaction meant to benefit her family, and she was merely the payment to seal the deal.
“If you don’t want this, you can refuse.”
“Am I not to your liking?”
A payment that would eventually become unnecessary once the transaction was complete.
“It’s not that…”
“Then why not simply act on instinct?”
That night was the last time he ever came to her bedroom. It must have been because of that.
* * *
Right after their wedding night, Derek departed on a two-year expedition.
When he finally returns, Etia finds herself grappling with a troubling thought: now that the purpose of their arrangement has been fulfilled, will he ask her for a divorce?
“Do you want a child?”
“Is that an important question to you, my lady?”
“Yes. It’s the duty of a duchess, isn’t it?”
To avoid being cast aside without a fight, there’s only one thing she must do:
Bear his heir.
“You might regret this.”
“…I won’t regret it.”
His breath fell upon her. Warm air passed between their hurriedly joined lips.
…But why did he look so forlorn, even as he held her close?
