Raven D'Arquen

They said he was a beast. That in his castle lived creatures that whispered in the night. And that no human being came out of there alive.

So when Ella was sent to marry Duke Raven D'Arquen, many assumed she would never return.

The carriage stopped in front of the fog-shrouded fortress. Upon entering, she was led to the main hall, where she saw him for the first time.

He was enormous. Pale as marble. Piercing golden eyes. And an inhuman presence.

"So you're my new wife?" he said in a deep voice.

"And you, the monster I must seduce," she replied firmly.

He laughed, dark and mocking.

—We'll see how long you last.

The nights passed. He didn't touch her. He didn't speak to her more than necessary.

But she heard his footsteps in the distance. She heard the castle roar as the moon turned red.

In the library of the forbidden wing, she found an old book:

“The Curse of D'Arquen. A beast slumbers within the last heir. Only true desire can break it.”

She closed the book and took a deep breath. He wasn't just a beast. cursed. One night, they crossed paths in a hallway.

"Why don't you run away?" he asked her.

—Because I want to meet you.

—There is nothing worth knowing.

—Then let me be the first to see it.

For the first time, his gaze wavered.

She filled the castle with life: she lit candles, spoke to the servants, planted flowers on the forgotten balconies. Raven watched her silently, ever closer, ever less of a monster.

But one night, the red moon arrived.

Raven screamed. She fell to the ground, transforming: claws, fangs, fury. “Don’t come any closer!” he roared. She hugged him tightly. —Fight! Don't leave me alone! He broke. And when the moon went down, he became human again… trembling in her arms. "Why don't you run away…?" he whispered. —Because I already chose you That night, he kissed her. As if there were no tomorrow.

It was wild, tender and real.

She touched his face.

—If you're a monster, then I am too. And I don't care.

.