Prologue

Hanna ’s Pov

It was my wedding day. There was no longer any way to escape. If I didn't marry Rafiq Al-Madini, as my grandfather wanted, I would put the lives of the people I loved most at risk. I tried in every way to avoid this moment, but I failed. As the women of the house adorned me like I was a queen, my heart was completely broken. I should be happy. It was surrounded by luxury and attention. She would be a very powerful woman in Mudab, everything I ever dreamed of. But fate had outwitted me by making me feel the greatest love in the world. Unfortunately my future husband was not the one I would spend my life dedicating my most intimate dreams to.

Fear was the only thing I could feel at that moment. Afraid of never feeling the touch of the love of my life again. You know that numb feeling in your body, which paralyzes all your movements to the point where you can't breathe? I so wished for Caled to get me out of that place and onto his horse, as I always dreamed. I didn't love Rafiq and he didn't love me either. Our hearts belonged to other people. But like me, he was a prisoner of his family's decisions. He couldn't follow his feelings. A prince has no right to choose whom to love.

At that moment I knew that two people were also suffering like us. Caled and my brother Said could do nothing to stop this union. Our destiny was marked by a marriage contract, signed before our birth. A stupid oath made by our grandparents, and one that had determined the rest of our lives.

I was about to be thrown into a disgraceful, loveless life and being forced to live as the sister-in-law of the only man I ever truly loved. I got up, feeling that there were no more tears to cry, and prepared myself for my fate. But a screaming, followed by gunfire from outside, made my heart skip a beat. What was happening?