by Emma Dean
Veri gave her mount a tap and he dropped from the tree as silent as the gentle god himself. He grabbed onto Nova and they rolled to the ground. Veri jumped from the saddle before the large felines could squash her. Asher yelped in surprise and followed suit. She laughed and rolled until he was on his back and she straddled him.
“I win,” she said with a grin.
He growled and his large hands gripped her waist hard, and then he tossed her to the ground. Asher rolled over her and pinned her arms above her head, his hips pressing into hers hard enough to bruise.
Asher smiled then and her breathing hitched at the look of possession on his face. “I believe you did win.” He bent down and rubbed his nose along her jaw down to her neck, breathing her in. “You’re extremely clever, Veri,” he murmured against her sensitive skin.
She shuddered at the vibration in his voice and closed her eyes. Asher did terrible things to her. He set off every part of her that wanted to be possessed and dominated. His whole being demanded she relinquish control and Veri was so tired of always being the dominant. It exhausted her at times, and Asher seemed to sense it.
Hayden had always let her take control in everything; in their relationship and in their lovemaking. She thought she had enjoyed the dominance until she met Asher.
The prince nipped her neck and Veri gasped in surprise. Liquid heat settled in her belly and sparked an ache between her legs. She could feel herself become wet as he pressed his hips harder into her and his hand fisted her hair tight enough to sting.
“Do you like this?” he asked roughly, tightening his one-handed grip on her wrists.
Veri could only nod. She did like it and wanted more. Her hips lifted and she couldn’t help the almost animalistic reaction she had to him.
“Tell me you like it,” he growled, demanding and harsh. Asher’s gentle kiss on her jaw was so at odds with the rough way he handled her that she moaned, and then she felt his cock harden.
“I like it, mia principe; my prince.” Her breath hitched and she bit down on her lip to keep from moaning again as she throbbed with need.
His lips finally reached hers and he gave her the softest of kisses before running his hot tongue across her bottom lip. “Tell me I won,” he demanded.
“You won,” she gasped, arching up against his chest.
With a grin he released her and left her panting on the ground. The ache between her legs demanded release but she ignored it. Veri wanted the prince more than she was willing to admit, but she wanted to gain his confidence and trust before anything else. She cleared her throat and sat up, straightening her skirts as the prince went to round up the felines.
There was a darkness to him she liked even if it scared her. Every time Veri thought she had the upper hand he surprised her. Perhaps she wasn’t the one seducing him. Maybe he was the one seducing her.
Veri picked the leaves out of her hair and tried to ignore the dampness she could feel between her legs, dripping onto her thighs. Her skin was tight and her control was in shreds. She told herself the physical reaction was because she enjoyed these games, not because Asher’s hard cock and dominating attitude made her soaking wet.
Once the felines were secure, Asher left them to play and then rejoined her on the ground with a pack. Asher pulled a blanket from the bag and laid it out. Then he held his hand out to her.
Veri smiled. “You weren’t planning for me to join you, were you?” she asked playfully. She took the prince’s hand and let him help her onto the blanket.
Asher didn’t respond as he turned back to the pack. He pulled out a bottle of wine and some fruit and cheese. “What if I did?” Asher handed her the bottle. “I didn’t bring glasses, but I have a feeling my wild female doesn’t need them.” He gave her that small smile again and her belly fluttered with the knowledge she’d only seen him smile for her and his sister.
Veri took the bottle and uncorked it. She brought it to her lips and maintained eye contact as she tossed her head back and drank. It felt unrefined and glorious. “I don’t know if I’m ‘wild’ but there are times protocol is stifling,” she admitted, leaning back onto her elbows.
Asher took the bottle from her and sipped. “I understand what you mean,” he said. “As a prince I must follow protocol to the letter or suffer the punishment.”
As a prince Asher had many items on his plate he simply couldn’t ignore. If Veri were to become a princess she would have to accept certain freedoms she enjoyed would become limited. Not only would she have to give up her right to rule Priea, but she would have to join the royal females in their activities, such as the weekly royal tea the princesses attended with the dowager queen at that very moment.
The royal tea had been exclusive and from her inspection of the solar the room had top-notch, state-of-the-art anti-surveillance tech. It was smart even though it aggravated Veri she couldn’t listen in. Originally she planned to get an invite, or somehow slip in a listening device, but there was no opportunity to plant one and the tea was for royalty only. Until she was engaged to a prince, Veri would never receive an invitation.
And she wasn’t the only spy in court.
Veri wasn’t sure who worked for the Spider yet, but she had a list of potentials. Then there were the spies from other noble families, and a small part of her wondered if the Neprijat had managed to infiltrate a few of their own. Veri was supposed to relay any information she came across to her father, Lord Greyson, so they could make decisions that would help Priea.
Veri didn’t always relay all the information she came across. Her father had different goals than she.
Prince Asher took another swig of wine and watched her delicately select a berry and place it invitingly on her tongue.
Veri still sat on the intel she’d stolen from the Archduchess of Avvis and as she stared into Asher’s dark eyes an idea began to form. That information could be used to her benefit. Oh, not in the way her father would like, or even consider. But for her own benefit. The archduchess would pay for her treason, and her utter dismissal of Priea. Hayden would also pay for his betrayal through the investigation of his family. His selfish decisions, the way he’d used her, and led her on for his own pleasure had consequences.
The information may even cause the crown princess to choose another male for her husband.
To put this plan into action she needed Asher. He was the key to everything.
Thank the goddess she was insanely attracted to him, Veri would be able to kill multiple birds with one throw. “What would you do if you had the opportunity to change something?” Veri asked. “What would you want if protocol did not demand your submission to those with a higher rank?”
Only five people in the entire galaxy ranked higher than him, but it seemed to chafe. Veri rolled until she was on her stomach, arms propping her up and gave him a secret smile. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”
Asher hesitated for a moment. “Well,” he hedged. “I want to make a difference with our people, and that can only be done in a position of power whether that power comes as king, a ruling nobleman, or a council position. As the fourth-born royal I will only have as much power as I can take for myself.” He rolled onto his side to face her and propped his elbow up to keep his upper body off the ground. “You will have more power than I currently do once you inherit and become Marquess of Priea.”
His following shrug was anything but carefree. Asher’s frown deepened and he took another swig, every muscle tight as he radiated anger. Interesting that a prince would envy her position, Veri never would have suspected such a thing. She put a hand on his arm to comfort him and squeezed. “All right then, my prince. What would you do if you were king?” To suggest a lower position would only insult him.
He shot her a sharp glance. “To speak of such things is treasonous.”
Veri was surprised at his reaction. It was only hypothetical and therefore not treasonous, but if he thought it would be…
“Yes, but only a generation ago you w
ould have been the heir, and the crown prince. The law changed right before your birth,” she pressed. “It changed our history forever.”
Veri was grateful the new law allowed for her to rule, regardless that she was female. But she could imagine how frustrating it might be to know only a few cycles later and Asher would be the crown prince, not Raena. And with the new law he was fourth in line to the throne, after Giselle and Adelina. Neither of them seemed to possess the skills required to rule, but Asher?
“If you were able to change anything, what would it be?” she asked again.
“I would make sure more supplies and resources would be sent to the outer rim as well as improving the schools and hospitals there. Treaties would be sent to the Hai galaxy. Scouts would be sent to explore the universe so surprises such as the Neprijat didn’t happen. The gold we spend on the sciences would be increased. At the moment we spend too much of our budget on improving the core instead of making sure all our citizens have what they need to survive well. Raena has trained her entire life to rule, yet she knows very little of the people and their desires in the outer rim.” The prince handed her the bottle of wine and then turned to watch the felines.
Veri drank only a sip as she thought about the prince’s words. She could tell he wanted to help his people, but he also wanted to be king. Why else would he think his words would be treasonous? He could accomplish all he said and more as a member of the council. With royal blood they would be more inclined to listen to him as would the soon-to-be queen, Raena. No, he wanted the power for himself; he wanted to make sure they would not deny his demands.
She placed a hand on his arm and waited until he looked at her. “I think you would have made an excellent king, one who could rival the love for King Orion,” she said with conviction. Asher truly had softness inside the prickly exterior and Veri could feel herself falling for him whether she wanted to or not. “The people would have adored you. It is a shame you will not rule.”
Asher watched her closely. “Perhaps I underestimated you, Lady Veri,” he said. Asher rolled on top of her and his burning gaze pinned her just as strongly as his weight did. “You are truly one of a kind. I hadn’t expected that.” Then he kissed her, his lips and tongue demanding.
His rough kiss excited her; mind, body, and soul.
“Thank you,” Veri murmured against his lips. She squirmed with pleasure as his hands travelled up her skirts to explore her willing body. His cock was hard against her stomach and he growled his dominance and lust.
Veri couldn’t control her body’s reaction to that demand. Her fingers clutched Asher’s shoulders and she arched her back, pressing herself into him. She parted her legs for the prince, allowing him access. His fingers dove into her wet center and Veri moaned as the sensation pulled at her, making her buck her hips to try and lessen the ache. She wanted more than his fingers between her legs.
She pulled his hand away and ripped the clasp of his pants open. “Take me,” she demanded, yanking down the cloth. Asher did as she commanded and then thrust into her, rough and hard.
His cock stretched and filled her with a glorious pain. The sensation made her eyes flutter closed and she threw her head back in ecstasy. His hand on her throat pressed down just hard enough while his other gently teased her nipples through the soft, thin fabric of her dress.
Asher knew exactly what she liked and gave it to her without mercy. How he knew was beyond her, but Veri didn’t care as he thrust again, filling her completely.
Asher ground his hips against hers and Veri rode him, taking what he gave her. She craved more as the pressure continued to build. The pleasure made her blind. She held onto him tightly, as though she were drowning and he the one to pull her from the water.
“Do you want me?” the prince growled, each word in time with a stroke of his cock.
Veri could barely form the words as the pleasure overwhelmed and surprised her. No lover had ever been this rough and demanding. She adored it.
“Yes, your highness, mia principe,” she gasped as the pleasure peaked.
Then she breathed his name again and lost herself in him as he roared and thrust into her one last time. She clenched around him and Veri rode the pleasure in waves as his hot seed filled her. His cock pulsed and she rode his orgasm ruthlessly until he collapsed against her.
Veri murmured loving words against his neck as she stroked his hair, basking in the sated glow. She whispered all the things she would do to him; all the things she would do for him, and more. Prince Asher had been a surprise she’d never anticipated, but Veri felt herself drowning in his scent, losing herself in the feelings he evoked inside her.
Asher was everything she didn’t know she wanted, and more.
Chapter Ten
Nadyah
Draga Royal Palace
Planet Draga Terra
Adelina was in the Queen’s solar with the rest of the females in her family, including her goddess-awful grandmother. The old crone was a bitter woman who lived too deeply in the past. Nadyah was thankful she kept mostly to herself until the weekly tea. Her power and influence only extended to Queen Adele for the most part as the dowager had trained her. Praise Amora her time was nearly past for even that.
The council meeting had been enlightening to say the least, but there was a tension between Prince Nash and Adelina she didn’t like. Well, her informants had given her Nash’s location and after dropping off her princess at the Queen’s solar, she’d planned her time accordingly. Nadyah checked her simulcast again. She didn’t have very long before the royal tea would be over and she had to be back at Adelina’s side. There were a few things she still needed to do before then.
She swept into the kitchens and commanded a servant take a platter of food to Adelina’s rooms at a certain time. No one questioned her presence or why she would come down herself. Nadyah had enough rank to send another to the kitchens for her, but the staff was overtaxed and new hires were still learning. The housekeeper had only received the approval for the new staff a few weeks ago for all the events. Not nearly enough time to prepare, but with the royal family so distracted by the king’s illness, Raena’s ascension, and Adelina’s coming-of-age it was understandable.
Someone bumped into her. “Excuse me, mistress,” the small maid murmured.
Nadyah felt something slide into the pocket of her dress and didn’t even bother to look at the girl. The servant she’d originally spoken to rushed up and muttered apologies and a confirmation of her request. “Thank you,” Nadyah said softly. The poor boy was speechless as he openly stared at her. The ruddy cheeks and bulge in his pants was a reaction she was used to.
The average citizen could barely handle the sexual scent she gave off. It was part of her genetic makeup, but Nadyah wished she could pass unnoticed sometimes. She turned, knowing that her skirts flared and made her exit look dramatic. Everyone was too busy gaping at her as she passed to notice the maid who’d bumped into her.
Quickly she climbed the stairs up to the main floor of the palace. Nadyah checked her simulcast again. She had a few moments to conveniently place herself in the right spot. Her steps were quick, but Nadyah didn’t rush or run. She moved efficiently through the palace to the outside, where the conservatory, maze, gymnasium, practice yards, and stables were – among other important buildings.
Nadyah had spent her entire life staring across Stella di Draga at the palace. Despite the distance it had always been clear against the sky, detailed and shining. The hovering ramparts only drew the eye more to the glittering palace. All those cycles and she never considered how massive the palace would be once she was actually there.
It wasn’t just where the royal family lived.
The palace and its grounds took up half of Draga Terra. It had hospitals, schools, its own farmlands, gardens, and bakeries, boarding for the staff and their families, rooms for each noble family and their staff, the state rooms, galleries, library, and all the offices for the officials. It was a never-ending
maze and despite all of Nadyah’s training she had a difficult time remembering where everything was, the faces of the staff and their positions, each courtier, noble, and their rank and dominance. This position tested her in ways she’d never anticipated.
Weaving through the other nobles and guests staying at the palace for the Choosing Ball and Coronation was simple enough. Even the commoners invited paid no attention to her as they gawked at every little thing on their strolls. Nadyah made a beeline for the gymnasium and made sure she would be downwind so her scent wouldn’t give her away. Her simulcast chirped and she grinned. Nadyah’s timing was perfect.
“Oof!”
“Pardon me, lady. I did not see you coming in,” Prince Nash said. Then he got a good look at her. “Oh, it’s you.”
Nadyah cocked her head as she looked up into his face. The prince was sweaty and in some kind of workout gear. His eyes became cold when he recognized her. The tone of his voice barely polite, but she smiled brightly anyway.
“May I speak to you, in private?” she asked, looking around for listening ears. “There is something I’d like to talk to you about.”
Nash crossed his arms over his large chest and looked down his nose at her. “I’m not interested.”
She grabbed his arm and gave him a glowing smile, her sharp nails dug into his flesh as she pulled him towards the maze Adelina seemed to like so much. Thanks to the blueprints, Nadyah knew her way through the hedges.
“I do not care if you’re interested in speaking with me,” she hissed through her fake smile. “You are going to whether you like it or not.”
Nash didn’t resist her insistent tugging until they were safely hidden in the maze. He yanked out of her grip and flipped her around, arm across her throat. Nadyah was fast. She let him pull her, but then used that momentum to flip him over her hip. He landed with a resounding thud on his back. Before he understood exactly what happened she had her knee on his chest with her knife to his throat.
