by K.N. Lee
“Did he? I’d like to hear about him.”
“He’s a music teacher,” she said. “He used to play for your father. You may not remember, but we’ve met once before.”
Conall turned to her, a smile on his face. “I wondered if you remembered me.”
Allyn spun around to him. “What?” Her hands fell to her sides. “You actually remembered me...this entire time?”
He nodded and her face flushed. “You’re kidding me.”
“I’m not.”
They’d only been ten years old when her father brought her along to the central palace for a private concert. She’d been allowed to play with the young prince in the gardens and playrooms for just one weekend, and she never forgot the fun they’d shared. That was one of the last good memories she had before her life took a turn for the worst.
“Wow,” she said. “You’re the one that’s full of surprises.”
“How could I forget the girl with the red hair? I noticed you immediately when you came down the stairs tonight.”
“Conall,” Allyn whispered. “I think you might be right about the whole fate thing.”
He shrugged. “I told you.”
“Okay. So, tell me more about Prince Conall Baran.”
“What is there? Everyone knows of the curse of the Wolf. It is a part of my clan and part of Elastria’s history.”
Allyn sat down on one of the bar stools at his kitchen island. “I’m sure there is more to you than your subjects know. Like your twin brother, Lennox. What’s his deal?”
The way Conall’s face paled at the mention of his brother made her wish she hadn’t brought him up.
“I’d appreciate if you didn’t talk about him,” he said but didn’t elaborate. Instead, he walked over and handed her a glass of red wine.
She took a sip. “I’m sorry. I just thought with the two of you still living in the original Baran castle, you’d be close,” she said.
“We aren’t,” he snapped.
Allyn held onto her wine glass, the tension thickening in the room. Even when they met as children, Lennox wasn’t around. She didn’t understand the division between twins but knew better to press the issue. She didn’t need to learn all of his secrets in one night.
For one, she wasn’t ready to tell hers.
She smiled and tried to lighten the mood. “I haven’t had so much alcohol in all of my life. Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“If you need to take it easy, my feelings won’t be hurt. Would you like some water?”
Allyn drank a bit more. “I’m fine.” Her mind went to Aude and Khia and what they would think if she didn’t return soon. “I should probably tell my friends where I am.”
“Don’t worry. I sent Edan a text. He told them where you are and will make sure they are taken care of.”
“Oh,” she said and sat up straight. “What do you want to do now since we have a few more hours together?”
Conall shrugged. “We can just talk if you’d like. I haven’t seen you in years and would love to know what you’ve been up to. Hannah was never much of a conversationalist. She seemed to enjoy the sound of her own voice that nothing she said had much depth.”
“But, you stayed with her for nine months. There must have been something you liked.”
“She was pretty, and there’s always been a lot of pressure to settle down.” He leaned back against the counter with a sigh. “But, like I said, she was a great actress. It was hard to tell when the act was over and when she was being real. You know?”
Allyn stared at him. He tried to hide that he was hurt, but she could see right through his façade. She saw her own pain reflected in his ice-blue eyes.
“Yes. I know exactly what you mean. My ex did nothing but lie to me. On top of that, he’s probably with another woman right now.” She made light of it, though the idea ate at her each night.
“Damn. As far as I know, Hannah never cheated. She was just a liar.”
“Well, lucky you.” Allyn drank her wine down, no longer caring about how drunk she got. As long as she didn’t become sloppy, she didn’t care.
He picked up the wine bottle and poured her some more. “I’m the cursed one,” he said. “There isn’t much luck involved.”
I know more than you think.
She watched the red liquid fill her glass. This wasn’t the way she envisioned her night. Just hours ago, she thought she’d be sitting in her dark apartment with a bunch of candles and a bowl of canned soup.
Now, she was drinking wine with the prince of Elastria...the future king.
The music changed to a more upbeat song and Allyn’s body warmed from within. She smiled, suddenly wanting to dance, but not quite drunk enough to do so alone in the middle of the Prince Conall’s living room.
“This is weird,” Allyn said, her smile fading as she looked up to Conall.
He lifted a brow. “What is?”
“I can’t get over that I’m sitting here with a prince, talking about my ex. What is happening right now? Is this real?”
Conall’s charming smile returned and he took her glass from her hands. She watched him set her glass on the black marble countertop and turn her barstool to face him. He leaned down to her level and looked her right in the eyes.
“Allyn Carmody. This is real, and I think you’re done drinking.”
Her head spun and she could barely keep her eyes open. “Why?” she asked in a whisper and nearly fell from the stool.
He caught her in his arms.
“Are you okay?”
“I don’t know.” Allyn started to panic. She gripped Conall’s shoulders as fear flashed before her eyes.
No. Get it together. She should have known better. Such reckless drinking could ruin everything. If she didn’t control her body, she didn’t want to think of what could happen.
Allyn tried to stand and found that she didn’t have control over her legs. She groaned, her head thumping as she tried to clear her vision. It took everything within her to keep the magic within.
Kiss him.
Kill him.
End his life before he ends yours.
The voices wouldn’t shut up.
Conall picked her up and her head fell back, her hair swinging as he carried her from the kitchen. Her eyes were glazed over as she looked at the vaulted ceiling. She didn’t know where she was going and had no control.
The last thought she had before she passed out struck terror in her soul.
He knows who I am...and he drugged me. What a clever Wolf.
CHAPTER 7
FOR ONCE, ALLYN wished the sun would have stayed away. She didn’t want to face the morning, and what would follow. When she opened her eyes, she was alone on a large bed with white blankets covering her. She sat up, her hair falling into her face. She pushed it back and looked around. Her head ached, but she vaguely remembered the events of the evening.
“Prince Conall?”
There was no reply. Conall was nowhere to be found. All that surrounded her were fluffy white pillows and the softest blankets she’d ever felt. She was inclined to lie back down and let her body melt into the mattress.
Instead, Allyn tried to stand. She doubled over and groaned. She knew that she’d overdone it with the alcohol. The sound of footsteps coming up the stairs startled her.
She stood, still a bit drunk, and watched as Conall came up the stairs in a pair of maroon pajama pants and a T-shirt.
God, he looked good with wet messy hair and in casual clothes that clung to his muscled arms and chest. A hint of his abs shown through the white cotton and she forced her gaze to return to his face.
“So,” she said, forcing a sheepish smile. “Princes sleep in old T-shirts just like everyone else. Good to know.”
He chuckled and shook his head as he crossed his arms. “How are you feeling?”
Shrugging, Allyn looked down, realizing that she was still in the dress Aude and Khia had let her borrow. “I’ve been better. Thank you for t
aking care of me.”
“Of course. I shouldn’t have given you more wine.”
“You couldn’t have known how much of a lightweight I am.”
“True.” He nodded toward the half-wall that overlooked the rest of the apartment. “I’m making waffles if you’re keen.”
Allyn licked her lips. “Yes. Please.”
He clasped his hands together. “Good. I think it will help soak up some of the alcohol. I’ll put some bacon on too.”
“Wow,” she said under her breath. “He cooks.”
“I heard that,” he said, a crooked grin on his lips. “Why don’t you take a shower and meet me in the dining room. It should be ready soon.”
Allyn glanced at his bathroom. “Are you sure you don’t mind?”
“I wouldn’t have offered if I did,” Conall said. “There are fresh clothes on the vanity. I had Eden pick some up for you.”
“Damn. You’re too good to be true.”
He laughed again and turned to head back down the stairs. “Try not to pass out in the shower, Miss Carmody.”
Allyn smiled despite her throbbing headache. Whatever was happening, she wasn’t complaining.
Once he was gone, she walked across the cool dark wood floor to the pristine, white bathroom and turned on the shower. Her eyes widened with delight at how many shower heads sprouted hot water into the rectangular shower. She clapped her hands and almost squealed with excitement. She hadn’t had a hot shower in weeks since the power was cut off. She was lucky to have water at all and found herself having to run all of the taps throughout the day and night to keep the pipes from freezing.
This, she could get used to. She slid the dress off of her shoulders and watched the mirror fog with steam.
Too bad she’d be sent back to the streets at any moment.
After her shower, Allyn put on a pair of black pants that she tucked into flat slate-gray boots and an evergreen sweater. She glanced at herself in the mirror, pulling her hair into a ponytail and pleased with Edan’s taste in clothes.
The smell of bacon and coffee ushered her from the bathroom and down the tall, winding, black stairs that led to the main floor. Prince Conall stood behind the island, making their plates. With the push of a button, a television lowered from the ceiling, its screen curved inward. The images of the imperial news channel played before the screen in 3D that one could almost touch.
Allyn watched scenes of riots in the neighboring kingdom and her brows furrowed. “Goodness. It’s getting pretty bad.”
“Same stuff. Different day.” Conall glanced at the screen and changed the channel to a documentary on how the pyramids were leveled during the war.
“I suppose,” she said.
“Hungry?”
She nodded, licking her lips as she looked down at the pretty plates he’d made. She hadn’t eaten such a well-balanced and colorful meal in ages. Fresh fruit, waffles with butter and syrup and bacon made her mouth water. Her stomach grumbled when he picked up the plates.
“Let’s sit on the balcony,” he said and led her across the floor to the enclosed balcony that overlooked the white-covered city.
They sat at a black table and the soft hush of snow and sleet provided an ambient soundtrack to their breakfast. Hot coffee, sugar, cream and syrup already awaited them on the tabletop.
She took one bite of the crispy bacon and moaned. “This is so good.” The taste of maple, mixed with the salty flavor awakened her taste buds.
“I’m glad you like it,” he said and poured more syrup on his stack of waffles. “You mentioned your father last night. What about your mother? Tell me about her.”
Allyn tilted her head, looking into her cup of coffee. “She died when I was a little girl.”
Conall paused pouring the syrup. He lowered the bottle. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all right. It was a long time ago. I just hate that it was so sudden. She wasn’t even sick.”
“That’s awful,” Conall said, shaking his head. “I lost my mother as a child as well.”
Allyn nodded. “I know. We have something else in common.”
“More than I’d anticipated.”
“Me too,” she said softly. Everything within her told her to shut up right then and not reveal any more of her past, but her heart silenced her head. “My father sent me away to the convent after my mother died. I guess he couldn’t look at me since we looked so similar.”
“Damn. The nuns were nice to you at least?”
No. They were horrid bitches.
“Sure. They were okay,” she lied, keeping the disdain from scrunching up her nose as she looked at him.
He didn’t ask any more questions and she was grateful.
The silence between them was comfortable as they ate everything on their plates.
“Thank you for everything,” she said once she finished the last of her waffle. She sipped some of her coffee and pulled her legs into her chest, getting comfy in her chair.
He drank the rest of his coffee and gave her a curious look.
Allyn wasn’t sure what it was, but something was different. Her stomach dropped when she realized that getting drunk and sloppy probably ruined her chances with him. Who was she kidding? He probably was disappointed that they didn’t get to sleep together.
“No worries,” he said and stretched his arms over his head. He watched her for a moment, before turning his attention to the cityscape. “I’m glad we crossed paths again.”
Water and slush trailed down the glass on the outside, and all of the pretty lights from the night were gone. Just buildings and snow-covered streets.
“Me too,” Allyn said as she stood and walked to the railing. “I think that weekend as kids is one of my favorite memories. Do you remember the game we played in your treehouse when we were kids?”
Conall left the table and joined her. She tensed when he stood behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist.
She could barely think with him that close to her, but tried to hide her anxiety. He brushed her hair from her neck and over her shoulder.
When he kissed the back of her neck, her eyes fluttered closed.
“I do,” he whispered, and she licked her lips. “Its one of my favorite memories as well. I didn’t get much of an opportunity to be a child, but meeting you showed me a glimpse of a better life.”
Allyn turned to him. She beamed. “Really?”
He pressed her body to the railing and nodded. “One thing you’ll learn about me is that I say what I mean. Unlike my brother, I am honest.”
Allyn nodded, relieved to hear it. The entire kingdom knew of the menace Prince Lennox was. It was refreshing to learn that Conall was different. She didn’t doubt a word he said.
Her mind raced as she imagined a possible life with Conall. It was a long shot, but there was something there. Her heart pounded in her chest, but she took a chance—one she prayed would be worth it—and wrapped her arms around his neck.
Prince Conall took the hint and kissed her, his lips pressing to hers as he lifted her by her thighs. Her heart sang as his kisses left her mouth and moved to her throat and clavicle.
Allyn didn’t care that they could possibly be seen from the window as he lifted her sweater over her head and tossed it to the balcony floor.
Their eyes met and he carried her from the balcony and back inside. They didn’t need to speak as he crossed the living room and carried her up the stairs to his bedroom in the loft.
Her heart sped as he laid her on the bed, and climbed on top of her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Conall asked, taking off his shirt. “If things are moving too fast, just let me know.”
Allyn licked her lips at the sight of his bare chest, rippled with muscles and abs that were so tight, she imagined them being hard as stone.
“Are you kidding?” she asked as he took off his pants. She gulped once he took off his boxers, and revealed his hardened manhood to her.
Such perfection s
hould be illegal.
She’d only ever been with one other person, and he’d betrayed her. It was time for her to stop guarding her heart and see what it was like with another. Her heart told her that Conall was worth the risk.
Conall reached inside the nightstand and pulled out a condom. Once it was on, Allyn took him by the hands, pulling him on top of her.
He grinned and kissed her once again before tugging her pants off.
She exhaled, a bit nervous as he looked at her body. He delicately took off her black panties and kissed her thighs.
“You’re beautiful, Allyn,” he said, softly, and slid his hands along her back.
Allyn tensed, and Conall froze.
Their eyes met and she sucked in a breath. For a second, she’d almost forgot about the hundreds of scars that marred her back.
“What happened?” he asked, his voice on the brink of being angry. He took a glance at her back and she closed her eyes in shame.
“Who did this to you?”
Allyn’s lips trembled. “The nuns. In the convent.” She drew in another breath. “They beat me.”
Conall tilted her chin and made her look at him. Without a word, he turned and showed her his back.
She gasped, and touched the scars that covered his back. While tattoos were placed meticulously to hide them, Allyn could feel each raised line along his flesh.
“My father,” he said before she could ask.
She pursed her lips. She didn’t need to ask. She knew what he meant.
When he turned back to her, she pulled him back onto her, her arms around his neck as their tongues explored one another’s.
How many people knew about Conall’s scars? Allyn doubted that anyone did, and that candid moment brought them closer in ways neither expected.
“I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” Conall said, and Allyn smiled through tears.
She giggled and wiped her eyes. “Ignore my tears. I’ve just heard those words before, but something tells me you actually mean them. Tell me you mean them.”
“I do,” Conall said and parted her legs.
Allyn’s eyes fluttered closed, a moan escaping her lips as thrust into her.
