It all started with a writing prompt someone posted on a website where I used to post my stories chapter by chapter. It's been about a decade now. I don't remember the exact wording of the prompt anymore, though it might be on a thumb drive or even a CD somewhere. The gist of it was that a character had been promised in an arranged marriage since infancy, but never been told until the start of the story, when they are informed that the person they have been promised to has arrived and the wedding will take place in an hour.

What was born was Broken Prince, Mismatched Eyes, which wound up being my second published novel. Originally released by Wayward Ink, and later Encompass Ink, you can now find it several places.

Here on Amazon

In My Payhip Store

And Here on Barnes and Noble

All of his life, Caden DeMott’s mismatched eyes have made him the target of superstition and scorn. Though he is the son of a nobleman, he’s been allowed to run free over the hills and moors, mostly ignored by his family. No one ever thought to inform him that he had been betrothed since infancy, until the day his fiancé, Prince Rhys Gwyther arrived to marry him.

Rhys is the prince of the small island country of Mauritania, a land rich in gems, rose oil, and pearls, but poor in skilled artisans and seeds to grow crops. In order to further cement the trade route to the mainland, he’s been sent to marry a man he’s never met and bring him back to Mauritania. Unfortunately, an accident years before has left Rhys with a lot of emotional baggage and very little trust in strangers.

But trust is exactly what Caden and Rhys are going to need if they are to make a life together and help unravel the mystery of who’s been smuggling valuable gems and pearls off the island. Add in the realization that Caden’s stepmother, Mildred and her island representative, Maxwell, have been importing inferior goods for years, forcing Mauritania to become more dependent on them, and trust becomes even more difficult.

Caden possesses the knowledge to finally allow Rhys’ father to unravel the plot to ruin Mauritania, but only if the king and his son are willing to put their faith in Caden’s loyalty to his new home. Something that is difficult to do after Caden is accused of cheating on his marriage vows to Rhys with his guard, Luc. Will Rhys believe him innocent? Or will their marriage be over before it truly has a chance to begin?

The king reached out, clasping Caden’s forearms, a warrior’s greeting. “Welcome to Mauritania.”

Caden clasped his hand in returned and bowed. “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

“No, none of that here,” the king waved dismissively, his smile never leaving his eyes. “We’re family, and I’ve never been one for standing on ceremony. I expect you to call me Kendric.”

“Yes, sir,” Caden said, a little flustered.

Kendric raised an eyebrow at him, his lip quivering with unshared laughter.

“I... I mean yes, Kendric, as you wish.”

Kendric smiled. “That’s much better.”

Caden couldn’t help but smile in return as the two hounds sat beside him, heads held regally as their tails lightly thumped the ground.

“And who are these magnificent creatures?” Kendric asked as he reached a hand out for one of the hounds to sniff.

“That one is Titus,” Caden said, “and the other is Brutes.”

Titus looked up at Caden, as if to ask permission. When Caden gave a nod, the hound sniffed the offered fingers and soon licked the king’s hand. Kendric seemed to need no other invitation to pet the hound’s head and rub his ears, while Titus basked in the attention.

***

Rhys turned, his mother by his side, to take in the sight.

“Why, he’s positively beautiful, and what delightful dogs. You must be very pleased,” the queen said to her son, her arm linked with his.

Rhys turned to her and gave a halfhearted smile. “He’s stubborn as hell.”

The queen threw her head back and laughed. Caden and Kendric looked to see what she’d found so amusing.

“Caden, come here,” the queen invited, holding out her other hand.

Caden went to her and took her hand gently, bowing over it.

“Oh, pish posh,” she said, pulling her hand from Rhys’ arm so she could reach up and hug Caden. “I’m no more interested in formalities than my husband is. I am Anwen, unless the foreign wind bags are visiting, and then we’ll all be ‘Lord-ing’ and ‘Your Majesty-ing’ each other half to death.”

Caden tried to choke back a laugh and failed, his eyes lighting up with joy and merriment.

Anwen smiled, her own eyes alight with glee. “I’m glad to see you share a love for laughter, Caden, because I do so love to laugh.”

Even Rhys was grinning, though he had eyes only for Caden.

“Now, Caden, Rhys tells me you’re stubborn as hell. Well, I have just one thing to say to that....” Anwen began, then paused dramatically. “Good. It’s about time he learned there are those who can be even more stubborn than him.”

Caden smiled even brighter at that, while Rhys’ smile faded to a frown. He huffed, crossing his arms until Anwen reached up and pulled them loose.

“Oh, don’t be like that, not today. Today I get to watch you get married, and I think it is going to suit you wonderfully.”

“Yes, Mother.” Rhys sighed.