His Lost Princess: A Fairy Tale (Tales of Euphoria Book 2) by Ella Ardent

Author:Ella Ardent [Ardent, Ella]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781988318325
Publisher: Circe Books
Published: 2018-11-27T18:00:00+00:00

Would she come?

I sat between my father and Lascivia at that night’s feast, my thoughts focused on my elusive beauty.

Would she appear again?

Or was she lost forever to me?

The very possibility made it almost impossible for me to eat, even though the meal was lavish.

Lascivia topped up my chalice with wine, even though I had yet to touch it. “You can’t be concerned about this night’s pleasures,” she purred. “Not with your prowess.”

My father chuckled as I drank of the wine. “Doubtless you have taught him even more skills,” he said to the emperor’s daughter and they laughed lightly together.

“I’ll never tell his secrets,” she said and ran a fingertip up my thigh. I saw my father glance down, then bite back a smile.

“You won’t know the protocol, of course,” he said to me as the wine sent its familiar fire through my veins. “Three dances will mark your choice.”

“Three?” I disliked the notion that I had to delay at all. I wanted to seize her as soon as she crossed the threshold and savor every moment of the night with her.

“Three,” my father repeated, steel in his tone. “There are those who will savor the suspense. It is your choice whether you flirt with their expectations or choose outright.”

“Oh, you must tease them,” Lascivia said. “Everything is better if there is uncertainty before it.” She leaned against my arm but I ignored her.

“What strategy would you suggest, sir?” I asked my father, trying to keep the rebellion from my tone.

He smiled so coolly that I couldn’t have succeeded fully. “There will be wagers. There are wagers. I believe it would be fitting to toy with the expectations of your guests, to give them some entertainment.”

“Of course, sir.” Even as I agreed, I chafed at this edict. I wasn’t king yet, though, and shouldn’t defy him outright. I drank more wine, my conviction in the righteousness of my own desires growing by leaps and bounds.

Lascivia was watching me, speculation in her dark eyes. “I would love to witness your deflowering of the chosen maiden,” she said, tracing a spiral on my thigh. “Would you indulge me?”

I bristled at the very idea. When I chose a maiden, she would be mine and mine alone. Why should I share anything about the experience with Lascivia?

“A splendid idea,” my father said heartily.

“We did as much with the twins,” Lascivia informed him and he laughed aloud.

“How you must have tormented them with pleasure. I wish I had been there.”

I spoke quickly, my voice tight. “I will send the twins to you this night, Father, that Lascivia might show you herself.”

“No, no,” my father said, wagging a finger at me. “Lascivia will never be in my bed chamber. The only one she will visit while a guest in Euphoria will be yours.”

I looked between them, sensing a conspiracy. They smiled at each other with a satisfaction that couldn’t be denied and I thought of Balthazar’s warning. Now rebellion roiled hot within me. Did the king think to compel me to wed Lascivia? I didn’t want her in my bed, much less as my bride.

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