Total pages in book: 27
Estimated words: 26177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 26177 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 131(@200wpm)___ 105(@250wpm)___ 87(@300wpm)
I brought her to her feet as couples, dignitaries danced around us, and I kissed her full on the mouth, much to the horror of everyone in public. After all, a king must always be proper, but with her? I just wanted to be bad, and I wanted to taste her and maybe give her a little bit of a taste of what it was like not to follow all the rules.
I expected her to pull back, but she cupped my cheek with her black gloves, and she kissed me, her tongue slid past my lips and I knew that people had to have seen the open-mouthed part of the kiss.
When we parted, I knew it was the final blow, fight or flight, they’d either love us or hate us.
But I loved us.
I loved her the minute I met her two years ago, when she told me I was crass. I loved her a year ago when we went riding and she nearly fell off her horse, then got mad at me for helping her. I loved her when I saw her donate almost all of her time to charity and while nobody was looking last Christmas, when she sat in the children’s cancer ward and didn’t tell the press, staying the entire day giving special gifts to each child she knew wouldn’t make it most likely to their next Christmas.
I kept tabs on her every move, for protection, yes, but also because I wanted to know her despite her not wanting anything to do with me.
I wanted her to love me despite my lack of charm and I didn’t want to force myself in her company, I thought if I just gave it time, she’d come to me—and she did. She finally did.
Her eyes sparkled in that moment. “You’re clearly rising up to your reputation.”
“Thought I was already there.”
“Think you just got there.”
“Not him,” I whispered against her neck. “Please, anyone but him, please, just let me, let me be yours.”
She pulled back, her eyes creased between her brows. “What?”
“Frederick.” I clung to her gloved hands. “Please give me the chance to be that man for you. I know I teased you, I tempted you, I told you things, but please.”
Her smile was challenging. “Are you worried?”
“He has blond hair and looks like he just dropped out of a superhero movie, who wouldn’t be?”
She clung to me while I twirled her and then whispered in my ear, “I always liked the villain.”
I nearly stumbled as the music ended. I had to bow. She curtsied.
I had nothing to say to that as she walked off while I stared.
Frederick was on the sidelines, and she went exactly there, only to grab a glass of champagne and keep walking.
His expression was again, emotionless.
Being the Yankee I was, I didn’t waste time, I sprinted after her as she left the ballroom.
Why was she breaking protocol? We had a toast!
I chased until I got to the top of the stairway, imagining her there waiting with a glass of champagne and teasing in her eyes, only to see a black masked figure carrying her over his shoulder and rushing through the castle.
My heart stopped for two seconds before I charged down the stairs and gave orders.
“GAURDS!” I yelled. “My queen’s been kidnapped, down the west hallway, grab her, I’ll stop the party, Rupert send the guests home immediately. Tell them I got sick, I’ll grab the kings.”
Rupert lost focus for a brief minute before bowing. “Sire.”
The engagement ball, our engagement ball, ended immediately, of course, people would know something was wrong, but I couldn’t worry about that at the moment, instead I ran to Frederick and Arthur. “We have a problem,” I said under my breath. “And while I’m trying to stay calm. I need you. I need us to be three kings. I need us to do our duty and save our queen.”
Frederick dropped his champagne glass while Arthur kept a pained smile on his face. “What?”
I almost couldn’t get it out, then finally took a deep breath. “Someone took Samira, the guards are on the hunt but I think we might be better. Who would want to capture her and take the throne?” I glared at Frederick.
Arthur squeezed his eyes shut. “Our late cousin? Possibly? Maybe?”
“Who”—I said again—“wants or needs power the most. Tell me now, damn it!”
Frederick looked around the room, then back at me. “Me. Most likely.”
Arthur’s jaw dropped.
I stumbled backward. “What?”
“Prove it.” He leveled his stare. “Prove you’re worthy.”
“By getting her not killed!” I grabbed him by the collar. “What the hell!”
“Risk it all, prove you’re worthy of the crown, and she’ll be fine.” He shoved away from me and dusted the lapels of his coat. “You always knew it would be a battle, yet you wager a war, all I want to see is proof you have what it takes.”