Nel

  The troops marched in with mechanical precision—rows of four, steps echoing across the ballroom like a funeral dirge. One, two, three… I could time a heartbeat between each footfall. The nobility erupted in applause, of course. Noblemen, council members, dukes and duchesses—all those precious, wealthy parasites who’d never seen a real battle. At least the soldiers’ families knew what was at stake.

  I emerged after the last row settled, letting my presence fill the room like an approaching storm. Let them see what awaited the Valmorin—let them witness their prince ready to unleash chaos on Agarta. My teeth ground together as bloodlust rose in my throat. These monsters had pushed too far, and turning them back wasn’t an option. Death was the only solution, and I intended to deliver it personally.

  Approaching the throne behind the podium, I noticed the empty seat beside my parents. Where was our precious Minx princess? My eyes swept the ballroom. Not here. Of course not. Why should she bother showing up on time to a ceremony honoring those fighting her war? I pushed the thought aside. I had better things to focus on than my absent bride-to-be.

  Father took the stand, detailing my supposed accomplishments. Then a chilling realization washed over me. His excessive praise, declaring me a more capable ruler than himself, felt less like paternal pride and more like strategic maneuvering. And now, I had a new found understanding about his intentions regarding Bauruth: he was grooming me to replace him entirely.

  He wasn’t just planning an extended visit to his homeland; he was preparing to abdicate, leaving me to shoulder the full weight of the kingdom. This realization settled heavily upon me, solidifying my resolve to be ready for the immense responsibility that now seemed inevitable. His absence from the impending battle against the Valmorin suddenly took on a chilling new meaning. He wasn’t staying behind to govern; he was orchestrating his departure. How diplomatic of him.

  Then came the promises to the troops’ families—compensation regardless of outcome. We both knew what that meant. War demanded blood, and not all of it would be enemy blood.

  The ceremony proceeded like some twisted version of a royal ball—elegant food, string music, nobles in their finest garb. Only instead of dancing, we were sending men to die. The troops dispersed, immediately drawing the attention of every unmarried woman in attendance. Not that I could blame them—a soldier’s bed was warm, even if their life expectancy wasn’t.

  A cluster of ladies in strategically revealing gowns approached, their intentions as transparent as their silk dresses. Once, I would have indulged. A particular beauty with emerald eyes caught my attention, her bottom lip caught between her teeth in practiced seduction. But something gold flickered in my peripheral vision, and suddenly everything else faded to insignificance.

  Lor stood in the doorway, and for a moment—a brief, maddening moment—I forgot how to breathe. She’d transformed herself into some Egyptian goddess, all gold silk and delicate chains cascading down her arms. The dress was a masterpiece, corset cinched impossibly tight, skirts wide enough to command the entire doorway. Even that subtle hint of cleavage seemed designed to torture. She’d stolen every eye in the room, including my green-eyed temptress’s.

  “Join her,” Mother’s harsh tone cut through my appreciation. Her glare could have curdled milk. What had our little princess done now to earn such contempt?

  “I thought I’d stay here and enjoy the view.” I couldn’t tear my eyes away from her if I tried. Pathetic.

  “Those are your people out there. Interact with them before she puts a bad taste on our name. Quickly! She is taking the spotlight… not in a good way!”

  “Mother!” The word came out sharper than intended. Even I had my limits when it came to her particular brand of venom.

  “She’s right,” Father chimed in. “We are fighting a war in their kingdom and it will take more than a pretty face for our people to accept it. You need to be out there.”

  Mother’s voice dripped acid. “If she wasn’t late, she’d be seated in a corner behind us, but here we are. She looks so… lost.”

  She wasn’t wrong. Lor stood there like a deer sensing predators, those silver eyes wide with barely concealed panic. Being surrounded by vampires must’ve been terrifying. For a moment, pity overrode my irritation. Just make your way to the throne, princess. Was that so difficult? I’d rather stay here, focusing on the battle ahead, but Mother’s continued commentary made that impossible.

  “Will you please go out there already?”

  “Mother, please!” I turned to Father, exasperated. “Is my presence here on the throne not enough?”

  “You have to interact with them,” Father said, mastering that tone he used when pretending I had a choice. “Lor being by your side looks even better. If you trust her, so will the masses.” His eyes glinted with amusement. “You two need to break the ice anyway. After all, she is to be your wife.” A knowing smirk crossed his face. “Or you can just stay here, force everyone to oblige, execute anyone against it for treason. Your choice, son.”

  “You know I would never do that.” Though at this moment, the idea of a few strategic executions held a certain appeal.

  “Then you know what you must do now.” Always with the cryptic wisdom, Father.

  Mother’s disgusted click of the tongue drew my attention back to Lor. “What on earth is she doing, letting people touch her gown like some common street performer?”

  My eyes snapped to the scene, jaw clenching at the sight of grasping hands on my future bride. A group of women had surrounded her—Ann’s little pack of vultures, no doubt. Of course. I should have known she wouldn’t listen when I sent her away. I was across the room before the thought finished forming, shouldering through the crowd. One cleared throat was all it took to scatter them like roaches from light.

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  “Princess! Are you alright?” I didn’t bother hiding my anger, though for once, it wasn’t directed at her.

  “I think so.” She looked genuinely puzzled, which somehow made it worse. “They kept complimenting me and my gown. Is that not normal here?”

  “So they didn’t harm you?”

  “What? Why would they—”

  “They are not allowed to touch you. You’re to be queen someday, for god’s sake.” I found myself stepping away, fighting the urge to hunt down each one of those women. “Or have you forgotten your position already?”

  “It’s quite alright. I’m sure they meant no harm.” Her naivety would get her killed in this court.

  Sweet gods, she was impossible. “What they’ve done is punishable.” Ann had orchestrated this little show, an irritating trait to her behavior. “This isn’t your father’s court, princess. Here, such liberties come with consequences.”

  “Please! Don’t give anyone more reason not to like me.” There was something raw in her voice that made me pause. “I have enough enemies here already.”

  I released a heavy sigh. Her plea actually made sense, damn her. “Fine. But if it ever happens again, I will personally deal with them. And I won’t be as forgiving.”

  Her spine straightened—ah, there was the defiant princess I knew. “I can handle myself. If I suspected they had ill intent, don’t you think I would have already acted? Or do you think all Minx are as helpless as you seem to believe?”

  “Sure, spoiled.” The word slipped out before I could stop it, watching her nostrils flare with indignation. So much for our earlier progress. “Because you’ve handled everything so brilliantly so far.”

  “Don’t call me that!” Her eyes flashed dangerously. “I am not some pet for you to name.”

  My patience, already wearing thin, began to crack. After saving her life, I’d hoped we might manage civil conversation. Clearly, I’d been optimistic. Worse, we were drawing attention—exactly what we didn’t need. “Take my arm.” I offered it, trying to salvage this diplomatic disaster. “Unless you’d prefer to give them more to gossip about?”

  “What? Why should I?”

  I kept my voice level, though it cost me. “We’re not setting a good example. Take it and let’s acknowledge our guests. You know, the ones fighting a war for your country. Or have you forgotten why we’re here?”

  “Fine.” She threaded her arm through mine like it might bite her. “But don’t think this means anything.”

  “Heaven forbid,” I muttered. “Let me do all the talking,” I instructed as we approached the first group. “Try to remember you’re a princess, not a warrior for once.”

  The evening devolved into an endless parade of introductions and gratitude. By the fiftieth iteration, I was ready to declare war on small talk itself.

  Scanning the room, I decided we’d done enough. As long as I’m seen talking to some. I guided Lor toward the last of my willing interactions, but before I could speak—

  “Hello. I wanted to share my appreciation for your support,” she said, her tone surprisingly steady. “You have no idea what this means to me and my father, King Leonebus.”

  The soldiers looked like she’d grown a second head. One veteran locked eyes with me, pointedly ignoring her. “We serve and support YOU, Prince Neltavio. And it is an utmost honor to fight for OUR kingdom.”

  I might have smoothed things over, if Lor hadn’t chosen that moment to bare her teeth.

  “And once I marry the prince, you will serve us both. For I will be your queen. You’ll find that I do not take lightly being flouted. What is your name?”

  Oh, brilliant. Threaten the soldiers. That will certainly win their loyalty.

  “……Nicholi. Princess Loretta, my intentions were not to disrespect you in any way.”

  “I’d hope not. Not if you value your sword and armor.”

  “Excuse us.” I practically dragged her away, hissing under my breath, “I told you I’d talk.”

  “I don’t need you speaking for me,” she snapped back, her voice low and fierce. “And the entire time you have. Well, I’ve had enough of this charade. It’s clear they only support you. Not me or my father.”

  “You did the only thing to ensure they never will, by asserting your power like that,” I retorted, struggling to keep my voice down. “You can’t demand respect. You have to earn it.”

  “Are you saying they won’t honor their new queen?” Her eyes flared with defiance.

  “I’m saying you would have done better keeping your mouth shut. It will take time for them to trust you since our union compromises their beliefs.” Frustration edged my words.

  “As if marrying you doesn’t compromise mine.” Her words stung more than they should have, and I saw a flash of disgust in her eyes that only fueled my irritation.

  With my fangs barred, I leaned closer, cutting her off when she tried to walk away, nearly bumping into my chest. “It’s impossible talking to you. You want to do it your way.” I spread my arms wide in mock surrender. “Fine. Have at it.” I turned on my heel, rushing off into the crowd. Ann soon came to mind, a revelation of unmeant relief. In the far end of the ballroom, I found my target near a secluded curtain.

  A crooked grin curled a corner of my mouth. “Hello, Ann.”

  “Your grace,” she said, nodding slowly, her expression mirroring mine. “How can I help you?”

  With a private tone, I leaned closer. “Go to my chambers. Wear nothing but your necklace.”

  “Whatever you wish, my prince.” Her eyes sparkled with mischief.

  A few minutes passed before I disappeared to my room. The doors drifted open, revealing Ann atop a cloud of pillows, nude and bare. A diamond glimmered against her left breast, dangling from a silver chain. Lust bulged my eyes and the seams of my pants as she twirled the jewel around her hardened nipple.

  After clearing my throat, I said, “You’ve been a naughty girl tonight.”

  “How so?” she giggled, feigning innocence even as she fell back onto the pillows. I used my speed, pinning her down in an instant.

  “You sent those girls to torment my fiancée tonight. I told you she’s off-limits. Why are you so hardheaded?”

  “They were just scoping her out for fleas. After all, she is a mangy dog.” I gently pinched her chin, scolding her. “Okay, fine. I won’t bother her anymore.”

  I put my lips to her ear and breathed warmth into them. “You sure?” I whispered.

  “Yes,” Ann moaned, her voice sultry and inviting.

  I leaned back, capturing the entire essence of Ann’s vulnerability, her exploited body pumping with sexual desire. I loved every bit of it—or should have. Her skin pulsated like a magnet, luring one of my hands past her navel, opening her thighs with the other, until a finger found her delicate jewel, twirling slow.

  “How sure, spoiled?” I growled, the endearment a dangerous poison on my tongue, a treacherous slip up. I forced my attention back to the woman beneath me. My fingers danced on the edge of Ann’s slick heat, a silent promise of the pleasure to come.

  With a slow, deliberate push, one finger breached her, driving deep, stretching her walls. I gritted my teeth, the anticipation coiling in my gut. Another finger joined the first, a rhythmic exploration that drew out a whimper. The sound ignited a fire in my loins, a primal hunger for more. “Tell me,” I commanded, my voice rough with need. “How sure?”

  “So sure,” she gasped, her voice barely a whisper against the rising tide of my desire. It was a visceral, all-consuming heat, a dark hunger I reveled in. And yet…a flicker of silver eyes, a phantom touch, a whisper of defiance…intruded. I banished the thought, burying it deep. Ann’s pleasure was a necessary focus, her moans a welcome reprieve from the persistent, irritating echo of self-righteous defiance.