Royally Tamed, A Royals of Colania Novel (Book
2)
2)
Synopsis:
While trying to find peace from the tumultuous
events that started with Prince Anton’s sadistic past, the previous
year has brought many changes to the intertwining lives of the
prince, his brother, Damian, and his beloved sister-in-law,
Mellissandra. Attempting to heal and move forward, Anton must hide
secrets that, if discovered, could be the demise of the royal family
and the country of Colania.
events that started with Prince Anton’s sadistic past, the previous
year has brought many changes to the intertwining lives of the
prince, his brother, Damian, and his beloved sister-in-law,
Mellissandra. Attempting to heal and move forward, Anton must hide
secrets that, if discovered, could be the demise of the royal family
and the country of Colania.
Unfortunately, one nosy stateside reporter has
caught the scent of a scandalous story hidden in the backward
country. Fueled by her own tormented past, Alondra believes in
bringing justice to the innocent, and she is determined to expose the
corrupt monarch for all that he has done.
caught the scent of a scandalous story hidden in the backward
country. Fueled by her own tormented past, Alondra believes in
bringing justice to the innocent, and she is determined to expose the
corrupt monarch for all that he has done.
When Alondra sets foot on the small island, she
causes a chain reaction that leads to revelations in the royal
bloodline, forever changing the future of Colania.
causes a chain reaction that leads to revelations in the royal
bloodline, forever changing the future of Colania.
Sneak Peak:
Prologue
Anton watched as Mellissandra played on the
floor with two chubby babies. Anyone observing would never know that
she was not both of the babies’ natural mother. She hugged them,
tickled them, and loved them equally. But, only one of the babies
Mellissandra was currently playing patty-cake with, was from her
womb. The other belonged to Anton and his half-sister, Gilly, who now
resided in the psychiatric unit of the Colania National Prison. That
truth was not widely known. The official records stated that
Mellissandra had given birth to fraternal twins, one boy and one
girl, and their father was Damian Bellaro.
floor with two chubby babies. Anyone observing would never know that
she was not both of the babies’ natural mother. She hugged them,
tickled them, and loved them equally. But, only one of the babies
Mellissandra was currently playing patty-cake with, was from her
womb. The other belonged to Anton and his half-sister, Gilly, who now
resided in the psychiatric unit of the Colania National Prison. That
truth was not widely known. The official records stated that
Mellissandra had given birth to fraternal twins, one boy and one
girl, and their father was Damian Bellaro.
Likewise, Anton appeared to be a doting father
and loving husband. But the truth was, Mellissandra was married
to his brother even though Anton most definitely loved her.
and loving husband. But the truth was, Mellissandra was married
to his brother even though Anton most definitely loved her.
When Mellissandra picked up the fussing baby and
opened her shirt, Anton groaned inwardly. She had no reservations
about baring her breasts and nursing in front of him or anyone else.
She would claim it was the most natural thing in the world, and it
was what breasts had been made for. She wasn’t going to starve one
of her babies because someone else had a problem with it.
opened her shirt, Anton groaned inwardly. She had no reservations
about baring her breasts and nursing in front of him or anyone else.
She would claim it was the most natural thing in the world, and it
was what breasts had been made for. She wasn’t going to starve one
of her babies because someone else had a problem with it.
Anton’s issue wasn’t disapproval though. It
wasn’t even sexual. Honestly, there was nothing sexy about a woman
with a hungry child on her breast. Anton’s problem was that every
time he saw her nursing one or both of the babies, his love for her
would grow.
wasn’t even sexual. Honestly, there was nothing sexy about a woman
with a hungry child on her breast. Anton’s problem was that every
time he saw her nursing one or both of the babies, his love for her
would grow.
At first, Anton had been afraid that he would
only be able to see what his mother had done to him.
only be able to see what his mother had done to him.
“Come here, my son,” the beautiful woman
said.
said.
Anton dragged his feet. He had just seen a
man leave this room, and he knew what that meant. His mother had let
the man lie on top of her, and she now smelled funny. Even worse than
the smell was what his mother would want him to do after she had a
man on her. She wanted him to drink milk from her.
man leave this room, and he knew what that meant. His mother had let
the man lie on top of her, and she now smelled funny. Even worse than
the smell was what his mother would want him to do after she had a
man on her. She wanted him to drink milk from her.
Anton didn’t like the milk. It was warm and
tasted weird. Gilly had told him that no one but babies did that with
their mothers. Anton wasn’t a baby though. He was five. But if he
didn’t do it, his mother would cry and say he didn’t love her
anymore.
tasted weird. Gilly had told him that no one but babies did that with
their mothers. Anton wasn’t a baby though. He was five. But if he
didn’t do it, his mother would cry and say he didn’t love her
anymore.
“Anton,” she said, “come here, my
darling. It’s time for a feeding.”
darling. It’s time for a feeding.”
Frightened because he didn’t want to upset
his mother and maybe get a switching, Anton went and climbed onto his
mother’s naked body. When he latched on to her breast, hot tears
slipped over his eyes.
his mother and maybe get a switching, Anton went and climbed onto his
mother’s naked body. When he latched on to her breast, hot tears
slipped over his eyes.
When he’d first seen Mellissandra with a baby
at her breast, he’d only been able to see a wonderful and loving
mother. She embodied everything maternal. She was exactly what a
mother should be.
at her breast, he’d only been able to see a wonderful and loving
mother. She embodied everything maternal. She was exactly what a
mother should be.
Anton sighed. He could gaze at the red-haired
goddess in front of him for a lifetime and worship at her feet for
eternity. But she was his brother’s wife, and Anton knew that the
love the couple shared ran deep. He probably loved Damian as much as
he loved Mellissandra. It was just in a different way. Anton would do
everything he could to prevent his feelings from creating any tension
between the three of them.
goddess in front of him for a lifetime and worship at her feet for
eternity. But she was his brother’s wife, and Anton knew that the
love the couple shared ran deep. He probably loved Damian as much as
he loved Mellissandra. It was just in a different way. Anton would do
everything he could to prevent his feelings from creating any tension
between the three of them.
Rising to his feet, Anton swiftly left the room
without a word. He was doing what he always did when his feelings for
her became overwhelming. He ran.
without a word. He was doing what he always did when his feelings for
her became overwhelming. He ran.
***
Damian arrived home from his club in time to see
Anton leave. Since the babies had been born, he would work days
for the most part. He didn’t like being away from his family at
night when Mellissandra was usually most tired, and the babies were
cranky. If Damian asked him, Anton would check on them and even sleep
on their sofa, but Damian couldn’t bear to put more of a burden on
his brother’s heart.
Anton leave. Since the babies had been born, he would work days
for the most part. He didn’t like being away from his family at
night when Mellissandra was usually most tired, and the babies were
cranky. If Damian asked him, Anton would check on them and even sleep
on their sofa, but Damian couldn’t bear to put more of a burden on
his brother’s heart.
It was obvious to Damian that Anton was in love
with Mellissandra. Every time he saw them together he was amazed at
the person Anton became. Since Gilly’s arrest nearly a year ago,
Anton had closed himself off from everyone—except for Mellissandra.
Damian knew that the feelings weren’t all one sided. Mellissandra
had a place in her heart reserved for Anton. This didn’t threaten
Damian though because he knew the biggest part of her heart belonged
to him.
with Mellissandra. Every time he saw them together he was amazed at
the person Anton became. Since Gilly’s arrest nearly a year ago,
Anton had closed himself off from everyone—except for Mellissandra.
Damian knew that the feelings weren’t all one sided. Mellissandra
had a place in her heart reserved for Anton. This didn’t threaten
Damian though because he knew the biggest part of her heart belonged
to him.
Damian entered the apartment and called out to
his wife. She didn’t respond, but he followed the sounds of the
soft coos and giggles coming from the living room. When he saw them,
he just stopped and watched in awe for a few minutes.
his wife. She didn’t respond, but he followed the sounds of the
soft coos and giggles coming from the living room. When he saw them,
he just stopped and watched in awe for a few minutes.
Mellissandra was in a pair of old ripped jeans
and one of his button-down shirts. She had a baby on one breast while
she tickled the other baby playing on the floor between her
outstretched legs. Her flame red hair was pulled back into a braid
because the babies loved to tug on her brightly colored locks. She
took his breath away.
and one of his button-down shirts. She had a baby on one breast while
she tickled the other baby playing on the floor between her
outstretched legs. Her flame red hair was pulled back into a braid
because the babies loved to tug on her brightly colored locks. She
took his breath away.
“Anton just left,” she said without glancing
at him.
at him.
“I saw him, but he went the other direction.”
Damian came into the room to sit beside her on the floor.
Damian came into the room to sit beside her on the floor.
“We need to do something, Damian,” she said,
finally looking at him. “It breaks my heart to see him suffering.”
finally looking at him. “It breaks my heart to see him suffering.”
“I’ve been thinking about it a lot, my
love,” Damian said, staring deeply into her eyes. “But I don’t
know if you’ll like the solution I’ve come up with.”
love,” Damian said, staring deeply into her eyes. “But I don’t
know if you’ll like the solution I’ve come up with.”
“As long as you’re not thinking of moving us
out of the castle, I’ll do it.” The stubborn look he loved so
much came over her face. “I won’t desert him, Damian.”
out of the castle, I’ll do it.” The stubborn look he loved so
much came over her face. “I won’t desert him, Damian.”
“Neither will I, love,” Damian said. “We’ll
talk after the babies are in bed. For now, let me bask in the glow of
my family.”
talk after the babies are in bed. For now, let me bask in the glow of
my family.”
He reached over and took the satisfied baby from
Mellissandra’s arms. “Oh, Arabella, you’re getting fat,” he
teased the baby as he put her over his shoulder to burp her. “How
has Dominic been today?” he asked his wife.
Mellissandra’s arms. “Oh, Arabella, you’re getting fat,” he
teased the baby as he put her over his shoulder to burp her. “How
has Dominic been today?” he asked his wife.
“Wonderful as usual,” she replied. “I
swear, two more opposite children have never been born.” She leaned
over to kiss Damian’s lips before picking up Dominic. “And I
wouldn’t change a thing about either one of them.”
swear, two more opposite children have never been born.” She leaned
over to kiss Damian’s lips before picking up Dominic. “And I
wouldn’t change a thing about either one of them.”
***
“So, what prompted the visit this afternoon?”
Dr. Servo asked Anton.
Dr. Servo asked Anton.
Anton had ceased his sessions with the large
group of therapists, but he had continued to see Dr. Servo. There was
something about the woman that put him at ease. He felt like he could
trust her.
group of therapists, but he had continued to see Dr. Servo. There was
something about the woman that put him at ease. He felt like he could
trust her.
“I just needed to center myself,” Anton
said. “I was visiting with Mellissandra and the babies, and the
emotions were too much.”
said. “I was visiting with Mellissandra and the babies, and the
emotions were too much.”
“What emotions were you feeling?” Dr. Servo
asked, picking up her notebook.
asked, picking up her notebook.
“The same as usual.” Anton sighed. “Love,
I suppose. Overwhelming envy. Adoration.”
I suppose. Overwhelming envy. Adoration.”
“No lust or anger?”
“No.” Anton clasped and unclasped his hands
nervously. “I have had no desire to hurt a woman since…” He
paused. “I certainly have no desire to hurt Mel.”
nervously. “I have had no desire to hurt a woman since…” He
paused. “I certainly have no desire to hurt Mel.”
“I know I’ve said this before, but I think
you need to hear it again.” Dr. Servo put down her paper and leaned
into her desk. “I believe you love Mellissandra very much. I
believe you love Damian very much as well. These feelings you have
are normal.”
you need to hear it again.” Dr. Servo put down her paper and leaned
into her desk. “I believe you love Mellissandra very much. I
believe you love Damian very much as well. These feelings you have
are normal.”
“How could it be normal for me to love my
brother’s wife?” Anton demanded. He rose to his feet and began
pacing.
brother’s wife?” Anton demanded. He rose to his feet and began
pacing.
“She’s family, and she’s accepted you as
her family, even after she found out about your addiction to
violence.”
her family, even after she found out about your addiction to
violence.”
“I’m in love with her,” Anton whispered.
“If it weren’t for Damian, I would do everything in my power to
make her mine.”
“If it weren’t for Damian, I would do everything in my power to
make her mine.”
“Would you?” Dr. Servo smiled and sat back
in her chair. “Sire, in all the time we’ve been meeting, you have
not given any indications of having romantic feelings for
Mellissandra. You’ve talked about how beautiful she is and how
caring she is. Lately, you’ve stated that she’s a wonderful
mother, but not once have you said that you would like to make love
with her. You haven’t described a need to take her in your arms or
even an impulse to kiss her.”
in her chair. “Sire, in all the time we’ve been meeting, you have
not given any indications of having romantic feelings for
Mellissandra. You’ve talked about how beautiful she is and how
caring she is. Lately, you’ve stated that she’s a wonderful
mother, but not once have you said that you would like to make love
with her. You haven’t described a need to take her in your arms or
even an impulse to kiss her.”
“I haven’t touched a woman since finding out
that I damaged Gilly so badly that her mind snapped,” Anton argued.
that I damaged Gilly so badly that her mind snapped,” Anton argued.
“That’s fear,” the doctor told him. “A
time will come when you will find a woman who is worth getting over
that fear. You are not the same man you were a year ago as evidenced
by your strong emotions now.”
time will come when you will find a woman who is worth getting over
that fear. You are not the same man you were a year ago as evidenced
by your strong emotions now.”
“Fear,” Anton snorted. “The only thing I
fear is betraying my brother.”
fear is betraying my brother.”
“What do you think would be a betrayal in his
eyes?”
eyes?”
“A pass at his wife,” Anton said
sarcastically.
sarcastically.
“Yet you feel no lust when you look at her,”
Dr. Servo countered. “You’ve described your feelings as more of—”
She shuffled through her notebook for a moment. “Reverence,” she
said, having found what she was looking for. “More than once, you
have stated, ‘Mellissandra is like a goddess. Some days, I can sit
and stare at her for hours and just be happy because I’m in her
presence.’”
Dr. Servo countered. “You’ve described your feelings as more of—”
She shuffled through her notebook for a moment. “Reverence,” she
said, having found what she was looking for. “More than once, you
have stated, ‘Mellissandra is like a goddess. Some days, I can sit
and stare at her for hours and just be happy because I’m in her
presence.’”
“Damian has said similar things,” Anton
said.
said.
“Yes, but Damian sleeps with her every night.”
The doctor smiled. “So, tell me what else you could do that would
betray your brother.”
The doctor smiled. “So, tell me what else you could do that would
betray your brother.”
Anton sighed heavily and plopped back into his
seat. “If I hurt another woman, I suppose that would be a betrayal.
Damian has worked hard to help me be normal. He’s put his trust in
me. I don’t know if I could handle turning him against me again.”
seat. “If I hurt another woman, I suppose that would be a betrayal.
Damian has worked hard to help me be normal. He’s put his trust in
me. I don’t know if I could handle turning him against me again.”
“You look worn out,” Dr. Servo observed.
“I feel worn out,” Anton confirmed. “It’s
so hard to be around her sometimes, yet I can’t keep myself away.”
so hard to be around her sometimes, yet I can’t keep myself away.”
“I think we’ve talked about this enough for
now,” Dr. Servo said. “Mellissandra is good for you. She brings
out a tenderness in you that you weren’t previously aware of.
However, in the last year, you’ve gone from no feelings to an
emotional overload. It’s okay to let yourself rest.”
now,” Dr. Servo said. “Mellissandra is good for you. She brings
out a tenderness in you that you weren’t previously aware of.
However, in the last year, you’ve gone from no feelings to an
emotional overload. It’s okay to let yourself rest.”
“Tenderness?” Anton laughed mirthlessly.
“Many women would argue that I don’t have a single tender bone in
my body.”
“Many women would argue that I don’t have a single tender bone in
my body.”
“Tell me about the electric upgrade.” Dr.
Servo ignored Anton’s self-deprecating comment. “Are you still
having trouble getting the fiber-optic cable needed?”
Servo ignored Anton’s self-deprecating comment. “Are you still
having trouble getting the fiber-optic cable needed?”
Anton accepted the change of subject. “It’s
not so much the supplies. It’s more a lack of skilled individuals
to install it.”
not so much the supplies. It’s more a lack of skilled individuals
to install it.”
***
Alondra sat in front of her computer, reading
the short article about the woman who’d been imprisoned for nearly
a year. When her boss had given her the assignment, she’d moaned
and groaned about another country being ruled by a monarchy. She
hadn’t wanted to travel there and be subject to their laws, laws
that usually only favored men and rarely protected foreign visitors.
the short article about the woman who’d been imprisoned for nearly
a year. When her boss had given her the assignment, she’d moaned
and groaned about another country being ruled by a monarchy. She
hadn’t wanted to travel there and be subject to their laws, laws
that usually only favored men and rarely protected foreign visitors.
But the more she researched, it seemed the less
she’d found. The woman in question, Dr. Gillian Portsmith, had
reportedly murdered two people, attacked the crowned prince, and held
a woman hostage in the hospital. For someone who had supposedly
committed such heinous crimes, very little information was available.
The latest article Alondra had found, only the third, stated that the
good doctor had a nervous breakdown, and she was screaming about
murdering the queen at the request of the prince.
she’d found. The woman in question, Dr. Gillian Portsmith, had
reportedly murdered two people, attacked the crowned prince, and held
a woman hostage in the hospital. For someone who had supposedly
committed such heinous crimes, very little information was available.
The latest article Alondra had found, only the third, stated that the
good doctor had a nervous breakdown, and she was screaming about
murdering the queen at the request of the prince.
Dr. Portsmith was being housed in the national
prison, the only prison in the country, in a village a few miles from
the castle. The only real city-type place in the entire country was
the area directly surrounding the castle, so not much information on
the village was available.
prison, the only prison in the country, in a village a few miles from
the castle. The only real city-type place in the entire country was
the area directly surrounding the castle, so not much information on
the village was available.
Alondra smelled something fishy with the whole
situation. As much as she hated traveling to foreign countries, she
knew if she didn’t follow up on this one, she would regret it. She
booked herself a plane ticket and then a boat ticket to the small
island country. She would be leaving tomorrow.
situation. As much as she hated traveling to foreign countries, she
knew if she didn’t follow up on this one, she would regret it. She
booked herself a plane ticket and then a boat ticket to the small
island country. She would be leaving tomorrow.
Erin’s Review
Royally Tamed picks up in the near future of where Royally Trained left off. Many changes have taken place since we last saw our twisted royal clan. Anton seems to have a handle on his past, Damian and Sandra are adjusting to many changes within their little family and are learning how to be a married couple. Gilly is locked up. All seems to be going well, but you know it never works out like you hope.
If you thought Royally Trained was twisted, are you in for a treat! I seriously fell in love with Anton in this book. All the characters, from Anton, Damian and Sandra to Wally and Ryan, grow in this story. Diana has woven an intricate plot line filled with secrets, psychopaths and steamy sex against a backdrop that I found quite unique.
I highly recommend you read the first book, Royally Trained before diving head first in to this book. The story will flow much better that way, even though your questions are answered with the second book. This book has such a detailed back story, I would hate for you to miss one word. And you really need to see just how sick Gilly is. I mean, that girl has some serious issues!!
I can’t wait to see what’s next for our favorite Royals and look forward to the next installment in the series.
About The Author:
Diana Ames was born and raised in Central
Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband, two children, and a
variety of crazy pets. Balancing work, wife and mom duties, and
writing has been the best and most rewarding challenge of her life.
Pennsylvania. She lives with her husband, two children, and a
variety of crazy pets. Balancing work, wife and mom duties, and
writing has been the best and most rewarding challenge of her life.
Links:
Goodreads Author Page:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3926548.Diana_Ames
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3926548.Diana_Ames
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/Diana-Ames/e/B00IGTLH2C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
http://www.amazon.com/Diana-Ames/e/B00IGTLH2C/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1
Facebook Page:
http://www.facebook.com/dianasden
http://www.facebook.com/dianasden
Webpage:
http://www.dianasden.com
http://www.dianasden.com
Royally Tamed, Book Two in the Royals of Colania
Series
Series
Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NB8GAOS
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00NB8GAOS
Start at the beginning with Royally Trained.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGMR3OK
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00IGMR3OK
or on Amazon UK:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IGMR3OK
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00IGMR3OK