Stratton House Publishing
#50wordromance
Princess Elistra
Elistra - I’ve lived a life surrounded by death and funerals, yet my protector has remained at my side throughout it all. Even as I feel him holding himself back, the look I catch every once in a while, tells me he isn’t as immune to me as he pretends.
So I plot and plan to make my found family tied to me forever, even if I need to marry the devious Prince Nate to give me my happily ever after.
*I started this story as an IG challenge of using one word prompt to either write a story or pull the word as a quote from your existing stories. I decided to write a standalone story with my word prompts. This story is from October 2024 to December 2025. All of the story will be posted at the link below. New parts of this story will be posted daily on my IG.
FFMM, why choose, poly, fantasy
Where it all began: October 2024
“Meet with me, my love. Tonight, when the moonlight crests the castle wall.” I re-read the crumpled note. Searching for his golden hair in our special place, finding none present for our tryst. The sun rises. Tears blur my vision as humiliation fills my heart, once full of fledgling love.
The dawn of the day, lights a fire in my heart. No man is worth my tears, I decide. "Mistress, come, it's quite cold." my attentive lady in waiting, whispers gently. Lady Winter's concerned eyes wash over my face. Her hesitant hand rises to brush away my tears.
Flashes of memories pass before my eyes, as I watch, a soft smile replaces her hesitation. Her shoulder available to lean on. Her words of wisdom, caution, and concern, have been imparted upon me these last months. Focusing on her soft plump lips, forbidden lust propels me forward.
She pulls me close, our moans echoing throughout the gazebo. The taste of her lips, the feel of her delicate hands caressing my shoulders, pull me under a spell. One I've been desperate to fall under. A love spell. The guttural voices of approaching guards split us apart.
"Princess?" The golden hair prince questioned, as I and Lady Winter pull apart. "What are you doing? You will not make a fool of me!" he shouts in anger. I latch onto Lady Winter's hand, keeping her at my side. "You made a fool of yourself."
The prince’s face falls into shadow as my protector towers over his diminutive height. The air turned frigid around us. Tiny ice shards began to fall around us as my bodyguard's emotions swirled wildly, allowing his magic to escape at the perceived threat of the prince. "Steady, Donncha." I whisper.
November 2024
I grip Lady Winter’s hand tightly as I lead us away. The swishing of our skirts and the grumbling prince are the only sounds until we reach the fireplace of the library. Looking up into the mirror above the crackling fire, I observe my companions in its decorative shine.
The journey to this moment had been arduous. But I know from my visions, that my future was dependent on the three people behind me. The prince, while spoilt and entitled, will soon be the King of Alia, and my peer when and if I'm chosen as queen of Borial.
Lady Winter, her eyes haunted by her trials and heartache, still had warmth sweep into them when she looked at me. Today was not the first time I had thought her feelings might have blossomed beyond the friendship we had struck upon our first meeting.
And Donncha, my shadow, my protector. His dark brown, wavy hair and beard blend together to hide his face and chest. Except where his bear's paw talisman hangs. The paw breaking through the mess of hair as a warning to all the danger of tangling with the man.
Donncha's broad shoulders, still flecked with snowflakes from his magical release of power, angle threateningly at the prince. Donncha has never liked him, telling me multiple times with his deep rumbling voice that the prince was not good enough for me. I learned tonight that he was right.
While Donncha’s protection of me causes a fluttering in my heart, I know his real motivation is redemption not out of love for me. His supposed sin was allowing the death of my parents. Hidden under his bear skin tunic are the scars of his attempts to protect them.
When they were attacked at the Dowager's dinner party, Donncha put himself between them and the assassin. His defeat and the Dowager's betrayal ended my parent’s lives outside her opulent dining room by the second assassin. Donncha's discovery of her treachery, sealed her fate, regardless of her being my grandmother.
Having listened in horror to my grandmother's boastful bragging of carrying out her son and daughter in law's assassination, I knew what he believes about his role in their deaths was based on false information. My grandmother had revealed in her glee that Donncha had been the first target.
Her glee was cut short when Donncha's calloused hands wrapped around her head, jerking suddenly to break her neck. He defied her wish for his death and he accommodated hers as she made her evil confession to her only grandchild. I was unsurprised by my feelings of relief or horror.
I remember the look of fear that slid over Donncha's face as my grandmother's lifeless body fell to the floor, knocking over the elaborate flower arrangement she always insisted be placed on the dining table. His haunted look has remained ever since, unless he's angry at a decision I made.
The grandfather clock strikes, shocking me out of circling thoughts of Donncha and my relationship and reminding me of the story of Cinderella. The late-night race to the carriage before it turns into a pumpkin comes to mind as I wonder if I should run away myself.
I shake away my dreary thoughts. I will not be the cause of the sunsetting on the Kingdom of Borial. I will be the first Queen of our Kingdom. Queen Elistra of Borial has a beautiful ring to it. It was time to manage the deceitful Prince of Alia.
I march away from my cozy spot by the fireplace and directly into the prince's personal space to face him head on. He will not see a weeping and damaged princess. "You lied and tried to embarrass me. Thankfully no one is the wiser. Our agreement is voided."
The prince's eyes narrow and his jaw sets into a sharp line of containment when faced with my swift change in demeanor. I had always presented him a quiet, biddable, pretty princess during our last month of courting. I can feel the snapping of fire in my veins.
I'm not quiet now. The prince's eyes blaze for the first time with lust as he looks me up and down. Abruptly, he leans forward and presses his lips to mine. Shocked, I open my mouth to his pressing tongue. Spice and cinder dance between us.
Donncha, my private shadow, coughs uncomfortably at our display. Damn the prince can kiss, I think as I jerk away from his tantalizing lips. A self-conscious flush of heat reaches my cheeks as I look into the eyes of Donncha, Lady Winter and the prince.
Donncha looks pissed, Lady Winter looks curious, and the prince looks smug. I curse myself and my lack of control when it come to this Prince, no one ever before has caused me to lose my control like this infuriating man. I need a glass of wine.
"As I was saying, our previous agreement is voided. As a gift to the Kingdom of Alia, I will propose a new agreement. And you will accept it Prince Nate for the humiliation dealt. A marriage of convenience with the understanding that it will be an open marriage."
This is not how I expected this to go. Note to self, never listen to Keith. He recommended keeping Princess Elistra waiting eagerly for her Prince Charming. Blinded by need for revenge, I didn't think about her feelings. Until now. Until this new development. An open marriage?
My jaw must be slack because she marches back up to me with the same fire as before and closes my mouth for me. My teeth snap together with the force of her fingertips on my chin. "I want you all, your Highness." She hisses darkly, eyes boring into mine.
My heart hammers in my chest. Her fingertips on my chin send bolts of lightning straight to my c@ck. I had thought her beautiful but sweet and soft, not this fierce woman. What is happening to me? How has this woman turned everything on its head?
"I have already had my closest family members stolen from me I will not allow a heartless prince to keep me from my found family." Her eyes narrow and flickers of fire blaze across them as her anger is pushed too far. She could burn me alive with those eyes.
“Princess, you don’t have to sacrifice for me. I know my place. I will remain at your side regardless of your agreement with the prince, even if it’s only in the role of your lady in waiting.” Whispers the sweet Lady Winter. Her eyes wide with the turn in conversation.
Outside the door, a loud shout of laughter followed with boisterous conversation breaks through the tense moment. I step closer to the Princess, pressing my hard cock against her soft body, watching as her lips fall open. “As you wish, Princess” I whisper as I stare into her gorgeous eyes.
The fiery kiss from earlier, with its tangy apple cider essence, hints at the sweetness that I imagine I will find between the Princess's well-rounded thighs. Her response is unrestrained. Her moan of lust urges me to drop to my knees to take what I desire. "Ahem." interrupts Donncha.
The hands of the prince on the woman I've been obsessed with since she was a young girl, breaks my reserve. A twinge of guilt bites at me as I remember how I lusted after her then. Heightened by the fact that her father trusted me with her care.
I take a deep breath so I don't break this little asshole's neck. I recognize he is a prince and the repercussions would bring more drama to my princess's door but he made her cry and she has shed enough tears to last a life time. He is beneath her.
A black darkness overtakes me, pulling me down into the past. Narrowed down so I can only see the tear-stained face of Elistra as she wept over the dead bodies of her father and mother. Flipping quickly to a shocked look as I snapped the neck of her grandmother.
Before the assassination, Elistra had adored her grandmother. I had feared that my killing her in revenge for my friend's death, would turn Elistra against me. But since that day, she has demanded my presence as her bodyguard. Allowing me to fulfill my oath to her father.
December 2024
Donncha clearing his throat, pulled me from my passion filled kiss with Prince Nate, giving me a minute to come to my senses. Since the moment I met him, I've been overwhelmed with desire. Even my interest in Lady Winter and my unrequited love for Donncha didn't smoother my desire.
Glancing at Donncha's powerful face, I'm drawn by his rugged looks even as his eyebrows are pinched with frustration. My bodyguard's broad shoulders look as if they could hold up the world. I'm counting on his strength to keep me safe as I become queen.
My expression hardens as I'm reminded of my painful past. "Excellent, let us revisit our agreement and add the addition I require." I forcefully demand with the confidence born from early bestowed authority.
A look of hesitancy crosses Prince Nate's noble visage, he must sense the danger I present.
"Lady Winter, bring in Lord Nerus to confirm the new agreement." I request. Watching as my closest confidant rushes past me to do my bidding. I'm surprised by the tears I see her in eyes as they flit toward me as she passes. I think a private word is needed.
"Princess Elistra, you called for me?" bowed the distinguished lord, who had taken the place of advisor after the assassination.
"Yes, Lord Nerus, we are going to change the royal marriage agreement. We will add an open relationship clause."
Lord Nerus gives us all an enigmatic look, before smiling weakly.
"I see." the aged lord, replies. "Your people may feel strongly about this deviation from standard royal marriages. They may rage in the streets over it, in fact. Are you prepared for the upcoming conflict?"
"It will be worth it." I reply firmly. Catching the eyes of each of my companions.
"I would like to present all of you to my kingdom on Christmas Eve, with our wedding, Prince Nate, held in my church afterwards. Lord Nerus, please make the arrangements." I decide, eyes narrowed at the two nobles.
Lord Nerus and Prince Nate, sputter in protest.
"That's in five days!!"
"I don't need anything elaborate. I just need my found family around me, a priest that understand their role, and yourself, Lord Nerus, to give me away in your role as High Chancellor. Invite whoever else needs to be there." I say, as I tuck my arm through Lady Winter's.
"Come, Lady Winter. Let's find dresses for the wedding." I say, as we leave all of the lords, their mouths agape. "Lady Winter, I no longer want you in servitude to me. Let us be frank with each other. You’re caring and giving nature, has me longing for your embrace."
I feel her eyes roam over my face as if my words seem unbelievable. I continue on my way down the hall, giving her time to come to her own decision on the truth of my words. Her long silence and worried expression, stop me in my tracks.
"I would not play with your heart, Lady Kirsi Winter. I promise." turning to show her the honesty in my eyes. I reach out my hand to run my fingers along her brow, pulling her close for a gentle kiss to her lips. It's clear she's never received tenderness.
My heart breaks as I press against her trembling lips. "I'll give you your freedom, Kirsi. I want you as my consort and partner, not my maid." Her exhalation of relief and large tears urge me forward to encase her in my arms. I find myself enveloping heaven on Earth.
“Princess?” she questions as I pull away from her tempting lips.
"Call me Elistra." I whisper back. "Please." I practically beg.
"Elistra."
My heart soars with her saying my name plus the warm pine smell of my protector pressing into my back. Donncha's enormous hand grips my waist. Capturing me.
My body reacts without conscience thought. My back arches to seek what I know Donncha has for me, but hasn't gifted me.
My ass brushes against his rigid length, drawing a hissing breath from him. My deep inhalation, brushes my breasts against Kirsi's, eliciting a soft moan from us both.
"I need to speak with the Princess!" a shrill voice penetrates into my mind. My body freezes in fear as if I'd just stepped out of an igloo in the far reaches of the north country. My spine snaps straight. Automatically I step in front of Kirsi to protect her.
"Lady Petunia." spat Donncha.
"Wait, this could be fruitful. We need to pretend to seek her advice. Tell her you need to wed the prince in five days and she will organize the whole thing. She'll be so busy; she won't be able to interrupt other plans." whispers Kirsi.
"Lady Petunia is a vicious she-wolf. No one wants her to organize anything. Have you seen how everyone falls ill when put on committees with her?" growled Donncha. "They're not sick, they just hate working with her."
"That will keep her even busier." Kirsi hisses, as she steps back.
"Donncha!! Why do you have your hands on the Princess?! Release her at once!" came the shrill incensed voice of Lady Petunia as she turned the corner. She almost charged over Kirsi as she rushed to my side, snatching me away from my companions. "How dare he!"
"My dear, you are an angel. Never let a wild barbarian paw at you like that." tsked the grand madam.
"Lady Petunia, never worry. I know the rules of etiquette." I say dismissively. "My lady, I have a favor to ask. Could you plan a royal wedding in 5 days?"
Her gasp of shock could have knocked over the heaviest elephant.
"5 days?! Unheard of! No one could do that. A royal wedding in 5 days!" The poor woman repeated, though I could see the shadows of planning whirling in her eyes. Her lips twist with greed and manipulation.
"Yes, My Lady. To Prince Nate. I have informed Lord Nerus…"
"Lord Nerus?! Please, that man wouldn't know how to plan a wedding if it jumped up and bit him. You must look divine on your greatest day! No man could achieve it. Leave it up to me, my dear."
"Excellent, Lady Petunia. I'm pleased to have your support." I cut off the lady as she is rambling about having the wedding in front of the waterfall fountain in the center court. "I defer to your experience in this." observing the avariciousness that shines in her beady eyes.
I look up when I feel eyes on me. Donncha's look could kill as he observed our conversation. Knowing him for the sinner that he is, he wouldn't hesitate to break Lady Petunia's neck here in the middle of the castle with witnesses.
As his mouth begins to reveal a twisted smile, I realize I'll need to intervene.
"Donncha, would you bring Lord Nerus to join Lady Petunia for a planning session?" His eyes clear of their blood lust as they snap back to me.
"Of course." His bow just short of rude.
"I don't know how you tolerate such insolence!" huffed Lady Petunia. I wave away her objection, drawing her back to our topic.
"Lady Petunia, I like your idea of the wedding ceremony in front of the waterfall, my only request is there must be a decorated Christmas tree nearby."
I push down the sadness that Christmas trees bring me, keeping an unemotional look on my face. My mother's love of decorating the tree each year was a family affair. It isn't something I can do since her death without crying. Having a tree at my wedding was non-negotiable.
"I don't know why you let that man remain near you. His failure to protect your father makes him unsuitable as a bodyguard for you." complained the "good" lady. Unable to listen to her lies about things she had no knowledge of, I cut her off.
"Lady Petunia, that is none of your concern." I say trying to keep the fire from my tone, only partially succeeding as indicated by the sharp breath she draws.
Before she can retort, I engage Lady Winter. "Come, my dear, let's leave the good lady to her task."
Lady Winter slips her arm through mine, trying to hide a smile from the abrupt way I dismissed the busybody. Lady Petunia's face crashes as if I'd tossed her into a snow globe and shook the fuck out of it. Her fake blonde curls bounce and flap like her loose lips.
"I don't know why you let that fox into the hen house, my lady." Lady Winter whispers to me as we sashay away from the nosy woman.
"We will be rewarded in the long run, Kirsi. Let's see what my future husband has accomplished." I reply with a poised demeanor.
As soon as the door to the library swings open, I hear Donncha roar in anger. I insert myself in between him and the prince’s guards, who have raised arms against Donncha in a futile attempt to protect their prince. The chaos calms as I place a hand on Donncha's chest.