My breath came out of me in a wheeze as the furious fiery little redhead lurched out of her seat and attempted, what I could only describe, as trying to body slam me into the walls of the carriage.

I caught her shoulders as soon as she reared back, determined to keep some distance between myself and the screaming woman. This was not how these moments usually went. Tears and fear were far more typical responses than violence.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I hissed through gritted teeth as I dodged sideways to avoid the forehead coming directly for my nose.

"What's wrong with me?" She screeched in outrage before lunging for me again.

Her hair was wild and her chest heaved with indignation as she fought against my grasp like a rat in a trap. "You're supposed to be a lady. Try acting like one." I snapped, pushing her back into the seat opposite.

"Oh and I suppose you think drugging and kidnapping are perfectly gentlemanly things to do?" She sneered from her awkwardly slumped position against the window.

Ok, she might have me there. But in my defence, they hadn't said anything about drugging her. In hindsight, the lack of consciousness and bound hands should have told me that she wasn't my most willing victim.

"You have my apologies for the drugging. I was unaware of that." I said stiffly, straightening my clothes.

She sat silently, big green eyes staring into mine as though she could see into my soul. "And the kidnap?" she asked, raising a delicate brow.

I shrugged, still not relaxing in case she decided to launch another attack. "You haven't been kidnapped. I won your hand fairly."

The snort of laughter burst out before she could stop it and my lips twitched as an answering smile nearly slipped through my emotionless facade. There was a moment of silence before she rolled her eyes and turned to look out of the carriage window. "How is it fair when no one told me?"

It was a good question, but not one I had the answer for. My whole life had been dedicated to breaking this curse and freeing myself, my family, and my people. Fair had gone out the window a long time ago. With a sigh, I moved to check my pocket for the crystal, which allowed me to leave my home. Thankfully, it hadn't fallen out in the struggle and the gentle pulse of power from it reminded me I had nearly pushed it too far by travelling the distance I had.

The first time I hadn't made it back in the three days allocated to me was burned into my memory. Like something out of a nightmare, my body had transformed into one of the half-fae, half-rat beasts that my guards had become. It had taken almost six months for me to return to myself again and I still felt the ghost of the agony which had ripped through my body. Bones breaking and reshaping over and over through agonising weeks, as the sorceress visited regularly and delighted in my pain.

I still didn't know what happened to the girl I had been travelling with then, but I could only assume she had run screaming. Something no one would blame her for.

Would this girl run screaming if I turned into a monster? I didn't know her well, but she struck me as foolish enough to attempt to fight back. With her eyes still fixed on the fields rolling by, I took the opportunity to study her slight form. Like many in the outer villages, she was slim to the point of appearing waiflike. The only strength I could see were her arms. The muscles were toned through years of work and I felt relieved they were still bound, effectively protecting me from her wrath.

With a sigh, I leaned forward, and the girl flinched. Annoyance flared in me at the idea that someone had put that fear into me, but I swallowed it down and held my hands up to show I meant no harm.

"I just want to untie you." I soothed in a voice more suited to speaking to spooked horses than women.

She eyed me warily as I moved towards her again, but didn't attempt to retreat again as I removed the ropes carefully. They were tight enough that as soon as they fell away; they revealed raw red indents in her skin. She flexed her hands before moving them in front of her to briefly examine the marks left behind.

I waited patiently, the gentle movement of the carriage rocking us both until she finally allowed them to fall into her lap. The gaze that returned to mine didn't seem to hold the gratitude I had hoped to see, and she instead eyed me with suspicion. It was as though she didn't trust my reasons for being nice. Perhaps she shouldn't. After all, I was only focused on winning her love for me for my own benefit, really. Anything to escape my tortuous existence.

"Perhaps we can try this again?" I asked with a charming smile, offering her my hand, "Good afternoon, my name is Lyron."

For a fraction of a second, her eyes widened, and my heart thudded in my chest. Did she recognise my name? Though most have forgotten the royals thanks to the curse, there are still some who read up on their history and might recognise my name. This could all be over before it even began if she knew who I was.

Then she shook her head and muttered something about it always being the pretty ones that were the most trouble. "Gwen. Gwen Weatherby." She replied, wrapping her arms around herself and ignoring my outstretched hand.

I tried and failed to hide my amusement. At least she thought I was pretty. That might be progress. "Give me one month." I asked.

A frown creased her forehead and the suspicious look remained in her eyes. "One month to do what?"

"One month of living with me, and if I am truly as terrible as you seem to think, you can leave at the end of the month. All I ask for is a chance." I offered, injecting as much sincerity into my voice as I could.

Could she see the desperation just beneath the surface? Was my exhaustion at the situation noticeable? I had spent centuries of suffering, only for it never to be visible in my youthful features. Flirting and charming and fighting my way through the years with no end in sight.

"Why me?" She asked quietly. "Why do you need to kidnap a wife? With a face like yours, I'm sure the girls are throwing themselves at you."

I shrugged. "Because none of them will love me the way I need to be."

Too many times I had tried the ones who fell for my status and features. None of them had been right or it would have been over already. I needed something different to break this curse. Although I hadn't intended to take an unwilling and unaware victim, perhaps Gwen would be the difference I needed.

"And you think I will? I've never loved anyone before in my life." Gwen laughed as though the idea of love was a concept she had never grasped.

She was beautiful when she laughed, but something told me she wouldn't appreciate me saying so. "Maybe I like a challenge." I murmured instead.

A red flush of annoyance graced her cheeks. Before she could throw back what I had no doubt would be a sharp-tongued response, the carriage came to a juddering halt, sending her flying into me.

I caught her shoulders and grinned as I helped to steady her. "We have to stop meeting like this, love."

The flush on her cheeks spread down her neck, and she stumbled back. There wasn't really anywhere to go in the tiny carriage and taking pity on her. I pushed open the door and climbed out, offering my hand to help her down.

She didn't take it, instead stepping down and jumping the final bit herself. Unfortunately for her, the carriage ride and presumably whatever they had used to knock her out had a lasting effect, and her legs buckled as soon as she hit the ground.

She fell to her knees with a hiss of pain as the rocky path embedded in her shins.

I didn't move to help her. Reject my help once? Fine. But I'll make you beg for it next time.

From her pursed lips and the way she glared, I knew she was very against the idea of asking for my help. Perhaps I had finally met someone as stubborn and hardheaded as myself?

She stood slowly, stiffly, brushing away the dirt before straightening up to her full height. It hadn't been as obvious when we were both sitting down, but now I could see the top of her head barely reached my chin.

The annoyance on her face fell away as she looked beyond me and her jaw fell open in shock. "You live here?" She asked, eyes never leaving her building.

My lips lifted into a smirk. If she was this impressed by my home now, she would be more in awe if she saw it without glamour.

The manor house visible to her was nothing compared to the palace home I knew lay beneath. "I am glad my future wife approves." I purred.