A Light in the Darkness: Book 5 in the Black Rose Series

PROLOGUE

Cate Rose, the Devil, and almighty Dark Queen of Hell, had always known her search for peace between the realms would be far from easy. Her quest had taken her to the darkest reaches of her own morality and forced her to do awful things in pursuit of progress, but there was absolutely no stopping it now.

The world as she knew it was changing, and fast. It happened without any care for those whose destiny relied on the balance she was working tirelessly to make happen, and she was terrified of what the future held for them. So many had given everything they had for that balance, and even her children bore the burdens as much as she. Their friends and family in both Heaven and Hell had suffered and sacrificed in order to do their part, and Earth was rapidly becoming the battlefield for their existence-altering cause.

Despite his loyalty, Devin Black had foolishly betrayed her in search of more power and an Earthly throne. He’d therefore, been punished and rewarded in equal measure by his omnipotent mistress. Devin had been sent into the abyss with their sire, Lucifer, as a way to make amends. If he succeeded in killing the primeval old Devil once and for all, he was permitted to take his lingering light power for himself. Only time would tell if he accomplished that desire. In the meantime, Cate would force her family to focus on repairing the damage done and look to a future they each held so very dear. A future so near, and yet still so very far.

Blake, Cate’s eldest son, was furious with her, and as distant as ever. He didn’t care that she was the all-powerful Devil. She’d not only hurt the woman he loved, the woman he’d changed his entire existence for, but she’d also hurt him. Cate knew that, despite his anger, her son would get over her treatment of his fiancé eventually, but he might take a while, so she said nothing. The Dark Queen refused to react to the harsh words Blake directed at her, or the venomous feelings pouring out of him. Thanks to her omnipotent gifts, she could hear her son’s thoughts in her frenzied mind just as loudly as the words spoken in hatred towards her, if not more so. But she forgave him. Cate knew it was simply because he was hurting, and she was to blame. There was no excusing what she’d done, even if her reasons were justified.

Cate was sure they would make it through in one piece. They had to, otherwise their current existence would be nothing compared to the potential reign of terror that would ensue if they failed. If all hope was lost, Lucifer would surely find a way to free himself of his prison, and Cate vowed she would die before she ever let that happen. After all, a future without her in it was far better than a future in which her predecessor reigned supreme once more.

CHAPTER ONE

Blake had been devastated to find his fiancé, Tilly, beaten and broken at the hands of his mother. Despite his need to see to her, he’d forced himself to leave her side. He begrudgingly returned to his seat in the centre of the table in the initiation hall deep within the dark castle, where the last of the current demonic challenges were due to take place. Blake had no other choice but to go. First and foremost, he was the Black Prince of Hell, bound to his Queen, and regardless of his personal circumstances, his duty would always come first.

Even though he’d hated leaving Tilly’s side, Blake had gone. He promised himself he’d be back with her by the time his lover woke up and meant every word of his silent vow. Tilly was taking a while to come around from the terrible ordeal his mother had put her through to get to the information that’d been hidden in her mind, and his council were waiting on him. Regardless of Blake knowing that Tilly had given Cate permission to go into her mind, she’d still ruthlessly sought out and destroyed the walls Devin had put there in an attempt to evade his mistress’s reach, and fresh anger boiled inside of him. Blake donned his black robe and re-joined his dark council in the now sparse initiation hall.

His main responsibility was overseeing the demons of Hell and coordinating their classification trials. He and his council maintained a high standard and had created an effective hierarchy of dark beings beneath his mother’s reign. Five demons remained in the current initiations, and each eagerly awaited their chance to progress to the coveted level one classification. They watched in silence as Blake sat back down in his throne-like chair in the centre of the council without a word of apology for his delay. He watched them with black eyes, a sinister contrast to their usual deep green colour, and each of them cowered before him.

All that stood between the demons and their prize was twelve hours of relentless beatings by one of the other candidates’ masters. They would have to endure in order to advance. Fighting back was not an option, and there would be no going easy on them. The final task was always a favourite among the demons, as it was the perfect opportunity for the evil creatures to really let loose on a worthy opponent. The new human souls down in Hell’s depths crumbled far too quickly to be considered a proper challenge, and Blake knew that all too well. He’d spent many years delivering beatings to them for the sheer fun of it but hadn’t done so for a long time.

They readied the finalists, but one demon stood without an adversary. His master had been called away urgently, so Blake immediately saw his opportunity to let out his own frustrations on the poor man.

It looks like we’re one short. I’ll step in, he told his right-hand demon, Azazel, who’d sensed Blake’s mood. He somehow understood his leader’s need to unleash his wrath and took his place as master of ceremonies without even needing to be asked. Azazel would never question the Black Prince on what’d gotten him so riled up. He knew far better than that. He simply issued the order to the demons and started the clock in his stead. The council then watched as Blake and the other powerful demons began distributing swift and unyielding blows to their unfortunate adversaries.

Blake grinned evilly as he delivered his vicious blows, pummelling the demon before him with forceful punches and bone-crushing kicks. He finished him off by relentlessly scraping at the young demon’s neck, before quickly snapping his spine in two when it’d finally began protruding from his flesh. The poor candidate’s chance was over fast. He’d failed far too quickly for Blake’s liking, and his powerful foe stepped away from his seemingly lifeless body while the witches took him away to heal.

Blake said nothing as he then made his way back up to his seat in the centre of the council table. He was glad to have let off some steam but wished the demon he’d used as his punching bag had more stamina. Blake could’ve easily gone on for a lot longer.

When the challenges were over, and the three new level one demons were congratulated and celebrated, Blake made his way back to his lover’s side. When he teleported into the royal chambers, he had to first walk through his mother’s private annex before he could get to the small chamber where he sensed Tilly was resting. His stepfather watched as he strode through and tried to talk to him. Harry wanted to tell Blake the truths his omnipotent wife had told him. He wanted to make him understand what’d happened, but Blake didn’t want to hear it. He just wanted to be with Tilly.

Harry had captured the heart of the most fearsome being in all creation so remained forever loyal to her, but he also understood all too well the heart-wrenching feeling of almost losing his soulmate to the dark abyss below and let him go.

Blake opened the door to the small room and walked inside. He was more than ready to tend to the frail form of his fiancé, in whatever way she needed, and wanted to get her back to their chambers as soon as possible. Tilly was also his demonic daughter, thanks to her having taken his blood to become the demon she now was, and he would readily drain himself of blood for her again, if it were what she required to recover.

He found Tilly there, but his mother was with her, too. She was seemingly unwilling to give him the space he so desperately wanted, despite his thoughts begging her to just leave him be. Cate watched her son, a strange mixture of sadness and conviction on her stunning face, and she gently stroked the tousled blonde hair of the girl who lay sleeping in her lap. Tilly was curled up in a ball under the covers, and her upper body was strewn over her powerful leader’s thighs. Blake read her thoughts, and they pained him. Her mind buzzed with vivid nightmares and memories of the torture she’d endured, and that now haunted her. Cate had taken Tilly right to the brink of death to succeed. No easy task for a level one demon, and it’d clearly taken its toll on her mind and soul.

She gave me permission, Blake. She told me I could do whatever it took to find what Devin was hiding from me, Cate reminded him, her fingers still twiddling with Tilly’s hair gently. The whole scene before him gave Blake the impression that, despite her honest words and seemingly regretful tone, Cate wanted him to see her holding Tilly that way. He felt as though she wanted him to know that she could, and would, do whatever it took to ensure the survival of her family. She held Tilly in a way that spoke of ownership, and it seemed to him as though his powerful mother being with her was a show of her force, fluffing her proverbial feathers as it were. Cate smiled as she read him, and just continued to stroke Tilly as though she were a pet on her lap. It seemed as if she was nothing but a plaything his mother could break to pieces and then build up again at will, and Blake’s anger spiked rather than dissipate at seeing her that way.

Of course she gave you permission, as if she’d ever say no to you! Blake sneered, shaking his head in despair. You know Tilly would’ve never refused you, no matter what you’d asked of her. All you ever get are yes’s, mother. Don’t pretend you despise your throne, or the obligations you have to protect your reign atop it. He took a deep, defeated breath and rubbed his tired eyes. How long will she take to recover?

Not long. Her body is healed, it’s just her mind left now. This was a necessary evil, my love. I knew what I was doing, and I ensured her safety the entire time, Cate said, trying to justify herself even more, and Blake raised a hand to quieten her. When he spoke again, his voice was icy.

Regardless, my Queen. You did what you thought was right and necessary to ensure the safety of our realm. Now please, just fuck off and let me be alone with my fiancé? he replied, saying the first part through gritted teeth. While Cate knew he was being insincere, she decided against pulling him up on it or retaliating to his viciously worded request.

She knew Blake would calm down eventually, especially once Tilly awoke and told him her side of the story, but she hated being on the receiving end of her eldest son’s animosity. Cate couldn’t help but worry that her son would be forever darkened with hatred for her now, but regardless of what she’d done to wrong him, she knew she could never let that happen. Blake was far from that emotionally closed-off boy he once was, and in time, he would forgive her. Tilly wouldn’t let him dwell on it, either. She would surely tell him the truth when she was awake, and Cate would be ready for her son’s apology when the time came.

Until then, she settled for some time with her husband and their young son, Thorne, as a welcome distraction. Thanks to her time having been completely taken up with Devin and his foolish methods to try and gain more power, she’d missed them both terribly. Cate climbed up carefully and left without another word, leaving Blake to comfort his lover in private.

He immediately took his mother’s place on the bed and held Tilly for a while. His body cradled her frail form while he tried to go into her frenzied dreams, but it was no use.

You promised me, damn you, he whispered. You promised you’d never leave me, and I’m holding you to it. With Tilly in his arms, Blake teleported to the witches’ dungeon beneath the dark castle. His coven’s high priestess, Selena, then quickly set about filling a huge bath with a thick, black, gooey potion. The strange liquid would help stave off any death that still lingered inside his lover’s soul and would heal her from within.

Blake slipped Tilly into the dense fluid and held her hand tightly, watching as her eyes fluttered, but remained closed, and her tortured soul surrendered to its magical medicine at last.

CHAPTER TWO

Up on Earth, Melody Pembroke, a half-angel, and recently promoted guardian of Devin and Serena Black’s secret society of soul-seeking demons, the Crimson Brotherhood, lay panting beside her half-demon boyfriend, and fellow guardian, Donovan Caine. The pair of them hadn’t left their bedroom all day thanks to their powerful interim leader, Serena, having offered to take care of Melody’s young daughter for the weekend so they could have some alone time together.

Melody had once thought it’d take her a long time before she could finally trust Astrid with her grandparents, but after Devin had been taken back to Hell by his omnipotent mistress without a word, his wife Serena had seemed lost and alone without her lover by her side. She’d continued to rule over their secretive dark order, taking the reins effortlessly after all her years of overseeing things beside her husband, but her personal life was a mess. Melody had quickly softened after seeing how desperate Serena was to have what was left of her family close by, and the powerful woman had also confided her despair in Melody many times since then.

Of hers and Devin’s three children, only one remained on Earth, their eldest son, Braeden. Their only daughter, Leyla, and youngest son, Corey, were serving time in Hell for their wrongdoings. Serena had never disagreed with her mistress’s decision to imprison her son and enforce an order of complete servitude to her daughter, but it’d still been tough on her. They’d both gone against their Dark Queen’s directives, and the rules regarding the new balance of light and darkness so were being punished for their actions, but Serena still felt lost without them.

Her husband Devin had then been caught in his foolish craving for power, and a crown of his own. He’d been taken away without a word from Cate, or an explanation as to how long he’d be away. Serena had told Melody how she’d gone along with Devin’s strange requests over the years but hadn’t realised the full extent of his treachery until the angel Lottie had come to her in a dream after he’d been taken. Cate’s youngest daughter had then told her about his deals with other beings, demons, humans, and angels alike in order to obtain light power for himself. Those deals were often made at the expense of others, including their now angelic niece, and that was exactly why Cate had taken Devin away with her. And so, despite all of Serena’s omnipotent strength and years of immortal life that served as experience in these dark matters, those terrible losses and revelations still meant she’d cried herself to sleep most nights.

When are you going to be my wife, Mel? Donovan asked his still panting girlfriend, breaking her reverie, and she peered over at him with a wide smile that lit up her entire face. The gorgeous man stared into her hazel eyes, and Melody was mesmerised. Her eyes opened wider as she took a moment to enjoy the sight of the still glistening and voracious lover laying beside her, and she gave him a teasing wink.

When you least expect it, she joked. I want to be the one who asks you, and when I do, it’ll be the most obscenely romantic gesture anyone has ever seen. The whole world will know that you belong to me, Donovan Caine.

Everyone already knows. I’ve been following you around like a lovesick puppy for years, he replied, grabbing her and pulling her into his bear-like arms. She traced her hand over one of his many tattoos and grinned as her hand lingered over the large scene on his right bicep. This one was her favourite. It was a scene depicting an angel and demon so forcefully in love with one another that the world around them was nothing but rubble. Donovan had gotten his tattoos done years before even meeting Melody, and had almighty chest and back pieces, as well as another full sleeve. They were incredible work, and she loved staring at them. Since finally getting together, they’d both been convinced that the scene portrayed the pair of them. They were the two opposite sides of the ancient, proverbial coin who’d come together through hardships and pain and would never let anything get between them again.

As much as she hated it, while laying in her huge lover’s arms, memories from the last few years began creeping into her thoughts. Despite her happiness, the recent past had been truly awful for Melody in so many ways. She’d lost her father, the multi-millionaire business tycoon, Lord David Pembroke, and was then forced into a life of servitude, thanks to the deal he’d made with the Crimson Brotherhood many years before. He’d sold both of their souls without her knowledge, before then trying to hide them both from the dark order so as not to deliver on his promises. When his plans had failed, Melody was then manipulated and tortured into submission by the guardians. Her memories were still fresh, and they haunted her even now.

Corey Black had been the cruellest of them all. His treatment of her had been downright diabolical. He had defiled, dominated, and broken her relentlessly the entire time she’d been his favourite toy. He’d known right from the day she was marked as Leyla’s follower that Melody was meant to be with Donovan but had done everything in his power to break them apart. She’d eventually been forced into a marriage with Corey, thanks to his obsession with her, and he’d claimed her as his own before tricking her into giving him a child. Despite her darkly deceitful conception, though, Melody truly loved hers and Corey’s daughter, Astrid, and was determined to give their child the best life she could provide for her. Their future would be full of both light and dark influence thanks to her discovery that she was part-angel and having Donovan around would ensure a balance for Astrid, rather than her ever being swayed in either direction.

Melody had been free of Corey for just a few months, and since then had been given light powers from her grandfather, the angel Camael. His power had allowed her to become a guardian of the newly balanced Crimson Brotherhood, rather than its follower. Donovan had done the same. He was once a client, but had called on his demonic grandmother, Lilith, in order for him to transition into the half-demon guardian he’d become. Their union signified everything the High Council of Angels and demonic royal family wanted—peace and balance between their worlds.

Melody forced herself to push away the painful reminders from her past. She knew she was still very affected by it, but also loved how Donovan had been there for her every step of the way. He’d been a violently dominant lover in his past, and had learned his own lessons along the way, too. He was once a sadistic man who’d had to pay for nights spent fulfilling those urges using women with masochistic preferences in the bedroom; otherwise, the unsuspecting lovers would suffer at his uncontrollably violent hands. The fallout of his forceful relationships with women in the past had cost him and the Crimson Brotherhood vast amounts of money, but he’d let all that go. Donovan hadn’t ever lost those urges. They sprung up in him from time to time, but he’d let Melody take control of their relationship right from the start. Strangely, he’d gone against his natural instincts and had wanted her to domineer him, never the other way around. She was the one who told him when, where, how, and why about almost every aspect of his life, and it was exactly what they both needed.

Melody never abused her power over him, nor did she tease Donovan about being ‘under-the-thumb.’ Many who knew them had no idea at all, and she wanted to keep it that way. Melody needed the control just as much as he did, but it was just for them, no one else. She called the shots and kept her dark lover grounded, but always in a way that built them both up rather than bring them down. Trust was the biggest element of their light and dark love affair, and each respected one another so much that, so far, their balance had been wonderfully maintained. Each knew how important that balance was and respected the higher powers they believed had brought them together. Their bodies would tingle when they made a connection thanks to that power, but both soon knew whenever the scales were tipped. If the balance was off, that tingle would turn to an almost painful surge, rather than a delicious buzz, and it’d shocked them both to discover the unspoken revelation.

Melody and Donovan knew a lot was riding on them. They were the role models for their new generation of peaceful light and dark beings, and the spokespeople of the treaty. Their relationship was a signal to both sides that they could be together, rather than wage war on those they’d once hated and fought unrelentingly. Donovan already had a huge following thanks to his successful career as a movie star. He was everywhere, and had a massive fan base of humans, demons, and angels alike that followed his example, and they looked up to him. His career was flourishing thanks to a string of movies under one of Melody’s businesses, Pembroke Studios, and she too had reaped the benefits of his fame. She’d already grown used to being snapped by the paparazzi whenever the pair of them would be out together, and they never hid away the stepdaughter he’d already gone on the record as loving as his own.

We’ve got the movie premier in less than two hours, Melody reminded him, still having been wrapped in her lover’s arms as she’d mulled over everything. I need to start getting ready, she added, pulling out of his grasp. She sat up, ready to climb out of bed, but Donovan caught her wrists in his hands. He pulled her arms over her head as she fell back onto his chest, and then flipped them over. With Melody laying on her back, his huge body between her legs, he held his lover in place while she peered up at him with a knowing grin. I didn’t say you could do that, she reminded him, and Donovan immediately let go. Despite his release, Melody left her hands there and held onto the bed rail above her.

Forgive me, baby, he said, eyeing her naked body with an appreciative stare. But I can’t let you go just yet.

Oh, tell me what you want to do to me, she groaned, loving his dark urges as they came fluttering to the surface, but she quickly commanded them. Why can’t I go and shower, what will you do to convince me to stay?

I want to kiss every inch of your body, starting with here, Donovan replied, stroking her wet cleft as he did, and she responded by tilting her hips up towards him invitingly.

Go ahead, she groaned, and her body trembled as his expert mouth took command of her swollen nub and he caressed it between his lips and teeth. Hands, baby. Don’t forget the hands, she reminded him, gasping as Donovan immediately followed her command by sliding his fingers into her wet opening. Melody writhed as he worked his magic, her body completely at the behest of her lover’s whims, and she soon exploded in orgasm. Donovan then lifted himself over her and pushed his heavy erection inside where his fingers had just been stroking, and he rode the aftershocks of her wonderful ecstasy while Melody clenched around him.

She kept her hands above her head, enjoying the unbound yet still strong sense of being held in place by her lover’s prowess, and she kissed him without a care of her own taste that still lingered on Donovan’s tongue. Yes, that’s it. Make love to me, she whispered, wrapping her thighs around him tightly and pulling him closer. Donovan did as she asked. He pressed himself into her as he rocked back and forth over her sweat-dusted skin, and then roared loudly as he found his own climax, too.

***

An hour later, after being extremely thankful for the quick hands of her assistant, Meridiana, Melody, and Donovan left their home. They teleported straight into an awaiting car just around the corner from the movie premier in the centre of London for Pembroke Studios’ newest movie, ‘Love Hurts.’ It was a powerful and intense story of unrequited love sending a man, Donovan’s character, called Sebastian Charles, over the edge, resulting in a grisly quest for revenge and murder. It was far from Donovan’s usual remit, but he’d enjoyed every moment of filming. Playing a serial killer had required a lot of strict control over his darker urges, but he’d performed the role perfectly, and was already deemed a natural in the part of the dark and brooding, murderous man. The reviews so far had praised his talent in portraying the malevolent role, and he’d had to laugh. He knew that if those human reporters knew the truth as to how he played the role so very well, they might not be so keen on encouraging that dark side of him to come out.

Their car pulled around to the busy street, and Melody gasped as she took in the crowd. There were large metal barriers set a few feet back from the curb that held back Donovan’s screaming fans, but they were still bulging. Darkly dressed bouncers were also guarding them, seemingly in case the barriers gave way.

Donovan climbed out of the limo first. Screams and shouts of adoration filled his ears, and he grinned broadly at the crowds. The seasoned performer blew kisses to the girls, before spinning to offer his hand to his beautiful companion.

Melody took it and stood to join him. She was wearing a stunning red dress that’d been designed especially for her by one of her clients in the Crimson Brotherhood, an artist named Alessandro Diaz. In preparation for the premier, she’d had to stand for hours in order for him to put together his masterpiece, but it truly was a work of art, and Melody, too, received cheers and calls from the crowd to give them a spin. Donovan soon slid his arm around her waist and led the way, and the pair of them stopped for photographs, where they both smiled broadly and exuded their happiness together. The two of them were the ultimate power couple and swiftly became all anyone could look at. The lights from the cameras dazzled them both, but they were well used to it by now and didn’t even blink when the bright lights hit them.

After a few minutes of posing, Melody felt Donovan pull away from her slightly, and looked across at him with a questioning look. Her mouth dropped open when he slid down on one knee and held up a small box he’d just pulled from his jacket pocket, and her hand flew to her lips in shock.

The crowd around them gasped and went quiet, listening intently for his proposal, and all eyes were on Melody for her reaction.

CHAPTER THREE

Melody Pembroke, the day I met you was the day I truly came alive. I cannot imagine a world without you as my better half. I love you, please will you do me the absolute honour of becoming my wife? Donovan asked. He peered up at her with a gorgeous grin and opened the box, showing her the huge sparkling diamond ring inside. It was beautiful and must have cost a fortune, but Melody didn’t care. She panted in excitement as he pulled the ring from the box and took her hand in his.

Yes! she cried, grinning as he slid it onto her finger, and the paparazzi immediately went crazy. Happy tears slid down her cheeks, and were caught on camera forever, but Melody loved it. She knew just how much Donovan adored capturing these moments, and she threw herself into his arms when he stood again.

How’s that for an obscenely romantic gesture? he whispered into her ear as they hugged tightly, and she laughed. Donovan lifted Melody off her feet in an effortless display of unadulterated love and happiness, while the photographers snapped away and the crowd around them roared their congratulatory cheers. Both ignored them, though. They only cared about their wonderful moment and relished in it for just a few moments longer. The enamoured couple shared one last deep kiss before finally pulling away. Donovan then placed his fiancé back on the ground carefully, as though she were his most precious commodity, which in his mind was not at all far from the truth.

When everything had calmed down and Melody had dried her eyes, the pair of them wandered the red carpet. They stopped for photographs and to give quick interviews together with the awaiting press before Donovan continued on ahead to sign autographs and take pictures with his adoring fans.

The girls he greeted screamed incoherently as he lay kisses on their cheeks and hands, but never on the lips, and smiled sexily at them. He chatted to each fan warmly but didn’t linger on any too long. It was important for him to make his way through the heavy row of fans in time to reach the front of the queue before it was time to head inside. Having to be ushered away by Melody’s team to attend the premier on time was a regular occurrence, but Donovan would always spend every moment possible ensuring his fans had their minute with him.

Ms Pembroke, would you spare a moment for a few words? a voice called, and Melody nodded. I bet that was a wonderful surprise? one reporter asked, and the woman holding a microphone at the ready was someone she recognised. Melody was already aware of the reporter before her, a young and vivacious reporter named Keeva Kincaid. She’d followed Keeva’s progress through the journalistic minefield and was glad to have gotten her attention amidst the crowd and chaos.

Melody had researched Keeva well. She was on the lookout for a new client and had handpicked this woman out of many potential new conquests as a target. As a new guardian, she was eager to strike her first big deal, and the now powerful half-angel made extra effort to stop and chat with her, all the while keeping an eye on Donovan to make sure he didn’t get too far away. No matter the scenario, she needed his strength close by. It didn’t make any difference how in control of her own fate she’d become; Melody still needed his constant reassurance and support. Day and night she craved his hand in hers and the sound of his voice when he’d regularly whisper words of encouragement in her ear, but for now she was fine, and turned her attention back to the young woman in front of her.

Of course I can spare you a moment, Keeva. In fact, I’ll give you a few, Melody replied with a warm smile. The reporter blushed; seemingly shocked that Melody had known her name. Her hand trembled on her microphone, but she righted herself quickly under her kind gaze. I have to admit, yes, I was completely shocked that he proposed here. We’ve talked about our future, knowing that marriage was on the cards for us further down the line, but that was all he’d ever said. Melody added, smiling sheepishly. That man really does know how to make a scene and make my resolve melt. How could I not say yes? Keeva nodded in agreement.

I think every woman in the crowd wanted to be you in that moment. The pair of you make a wonderful couple, and I for one cannot wait to see more of you two as time goes on. she said, blushing again, but Melody was not fazed by her flattering words. She was luring her in with each intense moment that passed, using her new powers effortlessly, and was already sure that this woman would soon be her new client. She felt it in her bones. So, down to business, Keeva continued, snapping back to her rehearsed questions. We at ‘Radio London’ would love to hear about Pembroke Studios’ new movie. Tell me everything! she exclaimed excitedly, making Melody laugh.

Well, ‘Love Hurts’ was written by a very talented writer and director I’ve worked closely with for a few years now, Dustin Golding. He came to me with a concept for a gritty crime movie shortly before I went off on maternity leave, and unfortunately, that meant it was put on hiatus for a little while. By the time I was back into the swing of things at the studios, he delivered me a mind-blowing script that I just could not put down. The storyline, the flow of the dialogue, well everything, it just screamed out to me, and I gave it my full support. We did lots of readings, finding the supporting actors with ease, but we struggled to find the lead, Melody told her, watching as Keeva lapped up her words with a warm smile.

Was Donovan not an obvious choice, then? she asked, seemingly surprised by Melody’s response.

No, not at all. As much as I love that man, I hate to admit it, but even I’d pigeonholed him as a brutish sex-god and thought that’s where his market would remain. I realised just how wrong I was when he asked to sit and read for me. This role was made for him. He’s beautiful but deadly and oozes the right amount of sinister prowess that this character required. I watched him every day on set. I couldn’t get enough, Melody answered. She