she is dressed within the white of a bride — all seeming naïveté and innocence. layers of silken and cream kimono now stained with the dark scarlet of blood.

but the merest consequence of her betrayal of him — the very notorious and ruthless king of curses — and her to-be husband.

she was to be his bride — no, his sacrifice. to bear his heir and reign over the land as his lady.

yet that was not what she possessed desire for within her heart — a decision most foolish.

“get up, concubine.”