Falling Princess (Fallen Realm Book 1) by Joline Pearce

Author:Joline Pearce [Pearce, Joline]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2022-06-29T16:00:00+00:00

Lorcan remained unfailingly reserved and polite through exams, packing, and the ordeal of returning to Auralia. We never discussed the dance.

When we came home that night, I examined the bruise blossoming on my inner thigh in the mirror. My panties were soaked. I could never breathe a word of what happened to anyone, but lay in my bed and slide my fingers through my wet folds, imagining what it would feel like to be touched by him. I came so quickly I was almost disappointed that I didn’t get to enjoy it longer; I came so hard I nearly blacked out.

After that, I resolved never to think about it again. This summer is for forgetting.

We left most of our belongings at Cata’s, since my father agreed, reluctantly, to let me return for one more year. Conditional to my improved attitude and religious devotion over the summer, of course. There are always conditions.

I pulled back the curtain to watch Lorcan ride off in the direction of Marsh Hollow, on the other side of which are the cliffs leading into the foothills of Mount Astra. He didn’t look back. He was humoring me, that night at the dance. I feel it too.

How could he know what I felt? I misinterpreted, of course. I’m so foolishly desperate for any sort of romantic attention that I heard what I wanted to hear.

I needed a distraction.

A couple of days after my return home, I steeled myself to make a request of my father, who had decided that I should sit with him in the formal throne room every morning to observe him in carrying out the daily duties of managing our country. If anyone were to ask my opinion—not that anyone would care enough to inquire, nor am I stupid enough to offer it unsolicited—his approach to ruling makes it look as bad as any boring office job.

I wonder if he’s been influenced by those stuffed shirts we met with at the economic forum, or if he’s always been like this.

Back when my mother was alive, she often went out to meet with people in their villages. When I become queen, I intend to be a ruler who walks amongst my people, too. I won’t stay holed up within the castle walls like my father does. My preference is, of course, theoretical until I decide I want to claim my throne.

The gossips are already whispering about how I shirk my duties. They say I’m too enamored of the outside world. That my father needs to press me into marriage to secure the matrilineal succession—which brings Lorcan immediately to mind, the reason I needed a distraction in the first place.

It’s disheartening to know the public thinks my father is too lenient with me. It certainly doesn’t feel that way to me. I wish he’d act like more of a father and less of a king.

“I would like to make a gift to the Royals University Library,” I began. My father was absorbed in studying the ledger before him.

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