Free Tales of the Forbidden by Jaden Sinclair Page B

change her. What changed her was the one night locked in a room with Devon Noved. And the proof of it was staring back at her from the mirror wearing something she only ever saw in shop windows. She was dressed in pale pink silk with a top that had long sleeves loose on the arms and tight at the wrist. The neckline was so loose that the top hung off her shoulders and an elastic band fit tightly around her waist. A matching skirt with a high slit fell just above her knees. Around the hemline and slit were ruffles to match those around the neckline and wrists of her blouse. Soft, cotton leggings graced her legs, and knee-high boots with soft pale fur were on her feet.
    In the mirror, she watched a maid pull both sides of her hair up with purple diamond combs, letting her hair spill down her back in soft waves. Because it was a warm day the special cloak that went with the outfit wasn’t needed.
    Devon slid up from behind, wrapping his arms around her waist and rested his chin on her shoulder. “You look more beautiful than I could ever imagine.” He took her left hand and brought it up to his lips, watching her watching him. “I have something for you.” He straightened up and draped a purple diamond heart around her neck. He kissed her shoulder as he clasped it. “I had this made especially for you when you knocked me over. I kept my fingers crossed that you were the one.” He slid both hands down her arms, picking up her left hand. He slipped a ring on her finger; a very large purple diamond ring with black diamonds encircling it. “And now that I know you are, it’s yours.”
    “I can’t take this,” Kera gasped in shock.
    “You can, and you will.” He kissed her hand, and then the finger the ring was on.
    Kera looked down at her hand and at the ring. Being so 59
     
     
     
    poor, she knew something like this could feed her household for months, yet she didn’t feel bad wearing it. In fact, she didn’t have one ounce of regret as she watched the light graze it. The reflection shone on his face as she moved her hand.
    “Come on. Let’s get out of here before I make a mess of all the hard work these girls did getting you ready.” He winked.
    Devon took her hand and walked with her out of the bedroom. This time, as she walked down the hall she didn’t have a guard escorting her. True, she wasn’t alone either, but it felt different. One of the questions on her mind; was she leaving free or still a prisoner? When they reached the front doors, which were opened for them and a few others who were leaving, and she saw a black car parked in front, Kera knew she was no longer considered a prisoner.
    A black Royce with a driver holding open a back door waited for them. Kera stopped and just stared at it. Very few people in Treece had cars like this. Upon approaching the car, Kera knew now that Devon definitely had money.
    A slight tug on her hand and she was going inside, sitting down on the leather seat with Devon right next to her. The driver closed the door, got in behind the wheel, and the car pulled away from the Compound, taking her to a new life she didn’t dream she could ever be a part of. If his life was anything like what she was riding in, then Kera knew, without a doubt, she was going to have to leave. He had a reputation, and she could only tarnish it by staying. He mattered to her now, and she wouldn’t mess his life up.

     
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Chapter Six
    Treece is a town surrounded by thick woods and rests pretty much right in the middle of it all. Many of the prominent families owned large amounts of the woods and grounds that were called the ‘outskirts’. Horse ranches went up, a few cattle ranches and several mansions. At least thirty percent of the woods were owned, and of that percentage, Kera only saw a tiny amount of the foliage during the drive to their destination.
    “We’re heading toward the outskirts of town,” Kera stated as she looked out the window.
    “Yes.” Devon studied her,