The Wronged Princess - Book I Read Free

would have a lifetime to talk .  Right now ’ twas enough to revel in the feel of her arms, the scent of her hair .  She floated like the whisper of a cloud, the mist of a ghost.
    ’ Twas a lovely night .  One he knew he’d never see, again.
    Then— disaster struck . 
    As sure as the stroke of midnight sounding from the tower clock. Twelve bongs that would change his life —f orever.
    It seemed only t en minutes since he’d met her . 
    “What’s that noise?” she’d asked .  Her voice was as soft as feather down . Her smile disarmed him so .  He smiled back.
    “The tower clock,” he’d responded, mesmerized those luscious, full , red lips .  “The night is young, my lady .  ’ Tis only midnight. ” He could not decide if the fragranced blooms inundating his senses came from the surrounding gardens, or the flower in his arms.
    “Midnight , ” she breathed —then blinked .  She’d stilled at the word .  H alt ed in the middle of the dance floor , a larm marring her lovely features , panic colored her voice . “I-I must go.”
    B efore he’d realized her intentions, she’d spun, and r u n from the garden, through the ballroom .  Flying, up the stairs and out of his life .  The ballroom doors parted as if on command, allowing— no n — assisting her escape . 
    And yet, there he’d stood, dumbstruck, bewildered .  His limbs thick, heavy leads of steel as hundreds of people cleared the way, mindful of her haste .  He jerked to the present, torn from his dream.
    He should have them all beheaded.
    Prince bounded from the bed and pace d his large , opulent chamber .  He was a man who had never wanted for anything in all his nineteen years , he reasoned .  Of that, his parents had made certain .  He was Royalty . 
    “Royalty, I say!” he yelled to the empty room.
    “Sire?” His annoying friend and companion , i n truth, his cousin, though he’d deny the fact if asked .  Arnald poked his head through the door .  Prince frowned.
    “Nothing, Arnald .  Be off.”
    It confounded the mind why a young and beautiful princess would run .  From him . He could understand their running from Arnald whose manners resembled that of an ox.
    Prince stopped before a luxuriously padded-chair and sunk down, chin rested on his fist .  But, alas, she was gone .  He tried to summon his anger .  ’ Twas impossible .  She was too beautiful for him to be truly angry —t oo sweet for his outrage.
    Lovestruck .  That’s what he was , he thought glumly .  Mayhap, really ’ twas all a dream.
    Restless, h e stood again and gazed out at the night sky .  ’T would be dawn soon .  The sun would rise and he with no idea where to find her .  He ’d not even learned her name . 
    “Why ? Why had she run?”
    “Because you are such a child,” Arnald said.
    “I thought I told you to be gone,” Prince snapped.
    “Hah ! Who else have you to talk to?”
    Prince scowled at the truth of that statement .  “I have much to offer .  A home, large coffers .  Overflowing coffers. ” Prince resumed his pacing .  “ Lands, clothes, servants —” He stopped.
    “And?” Arnald prompted.
    And… Love ? He dared not spout that to his cousin .  He would ne’er hear the end of such drivel .  He cleared his throat , p aused, before changing his tactic .  “ Young women were known to fantasize their notions of romantic love , non? ” He said slowly, carefully keeping his eyes averted from the teasing light he would surely see in Arnald’s.
    “I vow that is so.”
    “I must marry regardless, oui ?”
    “ Oui .”
    “Then she is whom I must marry .  Mamán is determined after all. ” J ustification served to save face and Prince leaped on the excuse, knowing he lied to Arnald.
    Oui, determined,” Arnald repeated, chuckling . 
    “Enough,” Prince barked out .  He needed to think . 
    By the time Prince had realized her intentions and dashed after her…it was too late .  All he’ d caught was