Claimed by the Desert King

An updated version of The Wisest Maiden, originally published in 2012.

Though usually sheltered by her parents, Issalia is pressed into service at the market due to her mother's illness. There, she falls prey to the fierce King Toridesh, who is said to murder his virgin brides on their wedding night. Much to the horror of her parents, Issalia is chosen by the king and must submit to him to save her family.

But Issalia is not without a plan, a plan that may save her life. Will she be able to avoid the executioner's axe by softening the ruthless King's heart?

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Excerpt:

"So you wish to provoke me." He twined his fingers through her hair, the lovely tangle of bronze and brown curls that had first captured his attention. "Perhaps that is not wise." He smiled a little, taunting her. "Perhaps you should take this opportunity to beg for your life."

Issalia blew out a puff of breath. Defiance squared her shoulders, and she raised her chin to look him in the eye. Despite her small size, the look of anger in her eyes was enough he had to steel himself not to step backward.
>Full of bravado, this one. It suited her well. Toridesh stroked her cheek, feeling her muscles tense at the jaw line. Smooth, pretty skin. His fingers plucked at the collar of her blouson, and it pleased him that she did not flinch, though the tremors continued to shake her body. He dropped his hand lower and cupped her breast, stroked the firm flesh under the thin cotton, watched as she bit her lower lip and her gaze to the floor
.
He continued his exploration, brushing his fingers across the peak that had hardened under his touch. It was then she stepped back, crossed her arms. "Preserve your caresses for your wedding night, King."
"Will they be any better received then, maiden?" He reached forward and crushed her to his chest, tipped her chin up and pressed his lips to her succulent ones. Kissing her made the blood roar in his head and pressure rise in his groin. She was sweet and warm, like fruited honey that was heated to just below boiling, or the heart of the ripest, sweetest strawberry.
>Issalia made a small sound in her throat that vibrated through his body, urging him on, making his head buzz and swoop as if he were a virgin boy receiving his first kiss.

After breaking the kiss, he stared at her upturned face for a moment. How could she have such an effect on me? The other maidens he had kissed had been pliant, acquiescent to all of his demands. Issalia was none of these things. Her defiance and inner fire had ignited something within him that he had never experienced.