Hadaen [The Marujan Brothers Series] Book One Read Free Page B

initiation… She had
almost forgotten. She was to be eighteen in three days. And in
Maruj, a girl’s initiation occurs on her eighteenth year after
birth. A shudder ran through Amelia. She had always anticipated the
day but now that she was in its extremity, she felt unbelievably
giddy and a bit nervous. For it is on this day that a man—a wealthy
man will choose her as his own and they shall be bound to one
another for eternity; Amelia swallowed down the gulp in her
throat.
    She’s heard stories of
girls who’d been chosen by the most despicable of men, the sweetest
of gentlemen… and then some in her class who were hoping to be
selected by the lord himself, Hadaen Maruj. She shivered. Lord
Hadaen’s family had been the first rulers of the kingdom and was
continuing to do so. She could tell why; he and his brothers all
had an aura that seemed to radiate dominance and power. Amelia
frowned. She had no doubt in her mind that she couldn’t be even
near as lucky to gain Lord Hadaen’s hand in union. She was a
simpleton—a girl who was commonly pretty and no special
traits.
    She’s seen him many times
before. A few times she was just sitting right there in the gardens
and he’d supposedly stand on his balcony staring out into the
unknown. Other times, she would be running off to the library to
fetch another interesting tale to read and glimpse his huge form
conversing with a group of men; acquaintances, she supposed. If she
would admit, Amelia would say Lord Hadaen was a very handsome
man—beautiful, really. His dark hair fell over his brow thickly,
seeming as if to reach into the dark glistening of his eyes. Truth
be told, her heart did backflips and somersaults whenever she
managed to steal a glance. He was a heavenly sight.
    Amelia gave herself a
mental shake and scowled. She would not think of Lord Hadaen in
this fashion. She must force herself to hate him for the
disappointment that she was sure would come when he wouldn’t be the
one to choose her, threatened to be far too consuming to her
well-being. She saw it in his eyes countless times; he was not the
type to love and love was indeed what she was after.
    She didn’t hear the
footsteps ascending towards her. But she did recognize that thick
musky-male scent that managed to tease her femininity every time.
Amelia held her breath and squeezed her eyes shut, preparing to
melt like a puddle.
    “Such an ugly scowl worn
by a far too beautiful face…”
    Amelia jumped to her feet,
almost toppling over in the process. Strong warm hands settled
around her arms, steadying her. “L-Lord Hadaen; I did not see you
come.”
    He chuckled, his mouth
curving into a tempting smile. “Had I made my approach known,
wench, would I have been able to enjoy the sweet swiftness of your
blush?”
    Amelia hooded her eyes and
knotted her fingers within the flap of her apron. “It’s a beautiful
morning, my lord,” she choked out, aiming to change the subject of
the conversation. And she babbled like an idiot. “The sun is
promising a delightful day, my lord. And the birds are just about
in agreement with me. Do you hear them?”
    Amelia almost fainted when
he stepped closer, his eyes filled with purpose and desire—she
wasn’t too innocent not to recognize desire! And she took two steps
back. To her shock, he took three more steps towards her, slamming
himself sweetly again her and holding her still within his
grasp.
    “Your initiation is near…”
he whispered, his breath now hot in her ear.
    Her eyes widened to the
size of the serving bowls she was used to seeing at dinner. “I-I
suppose...”
    He smiled devilishly. “You
suppose?” And his fingers reached up to flick a lock of raven hair
from her face. “Are you a bit excited to know who your eternal
lover shall be?”
    Oh god! Amelia fought
against hurling her skirts in her hands and fleeing from the
dangerous man. She’s never felt like this before. Not ever so
filled with lust and craving to the point of