Chapter 1
“I still cannot understand how you will take the throne,” I drawled, looking at my younger half-brother. It was that pesky ‘half’ that was the problem. I was a better leader. Smarter. Less indulgent. Well, perhaps that was a lie. A different indulgent..
Percival lounged in front of the fire. “Blood right. Divinely chosen by the Gods. Miracle scion for the barren queen.” He oozed pampered prince, “sucks to be a bastard, huh, Valie?” I was nearly a decade older. Our father was going to name me his legitimate heir, but before I turned eight, the queen conceived. Against all odds, a fair, clear-eyed little boy blessed the royal family. I was named a bastard and shoved aside.
It was only a matter of time before he fucked up the kingdom. I hoped it would be sooner rather than later, and I could blamelessly arrange for an accident to befall the poor, dull kingling. They’d arranged his marriage; some girl would be stuck with the idiot soon. He would, of course, deign it beneath him to tell me who the secretive bride was. None of my business, he needled. It wasn’t like she would look at me twice anyway.
That is where dear brother was wrong.
She’d be mine before he could share a meal with her. Part of being king was having an heir, and I would be certain that any child coming from his unfortunate bride was mine. Naturally, I’d prefer to have her willing.
“There is no mythic title that makes you competent.” I sniped. Percival rolled his eyes and waved a hand in dismissal. “Jealousy doesn’t change your dirty blood, Valemir. Whine all you want; it makes every time I best you sweeter.”
Bells chimed before I could smack the smile off his pretty face. “Finally.”
The unnamed princess and her retinue had arrived. “Ready to disappoint yet another woman?” My brother grabbed his overcoat, donning his gracious prince’s posture. He couldn’t let the girl see what a spoiled prick she was getting stuck with before the wedding. By then, it would be too late for her to back out and truly miraculous if she hadn’t figured out what kind of monster she was marrying. There were noble girls from all over the world clambering to be handsome Percival’s queen. He probably picked a very pretty girl who was as vacant and selfish as himself.
“I think you’ll be the disappointed one,” he smirked. Something about the glint of satisfaction in his eyes gave me pause. “I do promise to find you a good wife. Eventually.”
I straightened my collar. “I can’t be placated with a nice set of tits. Well, not just nice tits.”
Percival snickered.
Deep foreboding settled in my stomach, but I couldn’t put my finger on what might be wrong. Was he going to send me away? Trade a princess for his lowly half-brother? Seemed unlikely. As we took our places in the audience chamber, our dynamic changed into what was thrust upon us. I loomed behind the heir, who was standing to the right of our father’s throne. Percival was bright and shining as if rays of the sun from the windows lit him personally. What a joke.
The small assembly of visiting dignitaries made their entrance; the air was thick with anticipation. They were about to witness the beginning of a royal love story featuring Percival and Whatshername…or whatever they told themselves to escape their boring lives.
“King Ormand,” a man with an extra gaudy hat, bowed. “Thank you for welcoming us into your court.”
Father nodded graciously. “These are happy times. Now, please, where is my daughter?”
“Yes, of course!” The man hastily looked around, gesturing for someone to open the doors. I groaned; we were getting a whole pageant. Delightful.
“Your Highness, Prince Percival,” the ambassador bowed to both of the royals. “I wish to present to you Princess Amarian Wyncrest.”
Light flooded from the hallway as the princess entered the room. She was of medium height, with midnight hair and fair skin. Her posture was stiff, and her eyes were downcast, but there was something familiar. It couldn’t be her. He wouldn’t -- no one should know about her.
Three years ago, I had been on campaign with the army, training to become the Captain of the Guard for my brother. It was some border skirmish that meant nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it took months to settle everything. I met a girl there, Amara. She had hazel eyes that still haunted me when I slept. I’d run into her while slaking my boredom in the forest one afternoon; an apple fell from a tree, nearly hitting me on the head. When I looked up, haloed by the treetops, was the most beautiful woman I had ever seen.
She gasped, barely not laughing, “I am so sorry.” The apple thrower was sitting on a branch, leaning back against the tree’s trunk. A book in her lap. “I intended on eating that,” she giggled through an attempted pout. “Pulled too hard and down it went,” she mimed pulling an apple from the branch above her head and fumbling the imaginary apple.
“What are you doing out here, aside from attempting to assault passerbys with fruit?” I smirked.
“Reading,” she pointed to her book, like I was the strange one. “There aren’t enough people coming through here to be busy hurling fruit. So, thought I’d bring a book.”
No one had been so relaxed speaking to me in my life. First, it was because I was the king’s son and they were scared of saying the wrong thing and losing their heads, not that I cared what anyone said, but that was beside the point. Then, it was because I was the brooding bastard no one wanted to be associated with lest the true prince be offended.
She hopped down from her refuge. “And what is it you are doing in my forest, aside from posing as a target?”
“I’m stationed with the military,” I explained. “Needed a break.”
The girl nodded, brushing her hands against each other. “Understandable. I’m Amara, and I welcome you to your respite.”
“I’m Val.” I didn’t dare tell her my full name. I couldn’t lose the one chance at a normal conversation I’d ever had. “Thank you so much, queen of the forest, for letting me wander here.”
She laughed. “It’s the least I can do for nearly leaving you with a knot on your head.”
We met nearly every day for the three months I was there. Amara was my light in the world, the one good thing, untainted by my family ties. Speaking rarely of our lives outside of our forest, we fell in love. Despite the rumors in court about my dark, seductive nature, I hadn’t lain with a woman until Amara. I’d done plenty of everything else, but joining our bodies? Never. Joining of our souls, I hadn’t experienced before or since.
Father and Percival came to shake hands and declare we were returning to the capital. I wasn’t allowed to leave my brother’s side as his forced protector. I left her. Without a word, I left Amara. It made me rise to the broody aura expected of me.
A woman’s sharp inhale brought me back from the past. The room spun when the eyes I’d professed my love to met mine.
She couldn’t be here. Not Amara.
Percival chuckled handsomely, “Welcome, your breathtaking highness. You honor my court with your presence.”
Pink painted her cheeks, “I thank you for such a generous welcome, your highness.” Amara -- Princess Amarian spun around one of the rings on her finger. “I am pleased to finally meet a man I have heard so much about.”
My brother’s eyes flicked to me, glimmering with victory. Had this been his game the whole time? I had never spoken of her to anyone in the courts. It wasn’t that she was a shameful secret, but my most treasured memory. I coveted Amara too much to share her with anyone.
He stepped down the dais and held out his hand to her, his bride-to-be. My Amara.
“I look forward to getting to know each other,” he flashed her his most charming smile as she put her palm in his. “More personally.”
Amara gave him a closed-lip smile before answering his innuendo, “Of course, Your Highness.”
“Princess Amarian, no, Daughter is what I should call you,” Our father spared her a rare grin. “When my son suggested we enter into negotiations with your uncle, I was impressed with his prudence. A queen must be more than a pretty face.”
“You flatter me, Your Majesty,” she demurred.
He laughed softly, “Perhaps you will be the one to finally teach my son chess, disappointing as it is. I hear you are quite good.”
She fearlessly gave my father a sly smirk, “A failing indeed.”
He laughed with more conviction and with a nod, “Percival, take our guest on a tour of the gardens. Your brother may be your chaperone.”
As Percival was wrapping her hand around his arm, she pulled back as if she had been shocked. Her eyes flicked toward me and then to the unobservant king, “I apologize. After such a long ride, I am afraid I am poor company. If I may, I would like to visit my rooms for a short rest before dinner.”
“Yes, yes. You may go.” He looked at her retinue, amused instead of alarmed, “Women.” The King raised his voice, “Take the princess and her people to their quarters.”
My brother paused, but did not pursue her further. “Father, I would be happy to escort the lady.”
“Besotted already?” Father scoffed. “A king does not shepherd people.”
Amara curtsied and, as politely as possible, turned on a heel and processed out of the chamber.
I was lost in my mind until my brother and I were back in his antechamber. His voice roused me, “Do you like my choice of bride, brother?”
No.
“I don’t think my opinion on the subject matters,” I answered smoothly. I would get to her, I would. I’d planned to take his wife as my plaything before I knew it was Amara. Did that change my plans? What if she didn’t want me? Hated me for leaving? Could I force myself on the woman who owned my heart?
“Oh, but it does,” he goaded me. “I picked her specifically for you.”
My brows furrowed, but I allowed him to continue his monologue.
“Did you think I’d let you go all the way to the border without your every movement being watched? I thought it would just be preventing you from forming a good rapport with the soldiers, but imagine my surprise when my man found you with a woman. Repeatedly. In various states of dress. It was too good to be overlooked.” Percival relaxed into his oversized armchair.
I thought sending me away was enough for Percival, but no. Not even that could satiate him. Amara and I were unaware of our nobility. “How did you learn her identity?” The slight emphasis on ‘you’ was a mistake.
He tsked, “You didn’t even know who you were fucking the woods like an animal? How fitting. Well, when Father and I met with the other leaders at the border, her uncle had her with him and his sons. My man recognized her. I was quite disappointed you’d tainted her with your filth.”
Percival continued gloating. “The disappointment was doubled by the need to bide my time. You see, if she had been anyone else, I could have strolled over and made your whore mine. Alas, it was a princess. My satisfaction would have to wait. It took time, but I always get what I want eventually.”
“Why?” I managed to whisper while my body boiled and froze at the same time.
“Because I can. Because you liked her, and I wanted to take her just to show you I could. I can take anything I want from you, bastard brother. You so enjoy talking down to me, but in the end, I am the one with all the power. Remember your place, and I’ll be gentle to my wife,” he threatened lightly.
I knew my brother was a spoiled brat, but I didn’t imagine this level of obsession with himself. I’d misjudged him just enough to give him room to move against me. It was clever if I ignored the pain he was intentionally causing me. “You are threatening the future queen,” I ground my teeth together. “You’d hurt your own wife to spite me?”
He hummed, “Not a threat, exactly. More of a vague fantasy…maybe she likes being rutted by a beast. And I promise you, I’ll only hurt her once she begs me to.”
I seethed, “Percival, this is unnecessary. I am fully aware you are the next in line, and I am worthless to the royal family. Amara —“
*“Princess Amarian,” he corrected me with cold glee. “Careful being so familiar with the future Queen. Who knows what people might say?”
Telling him no was clearly out of the question; he would double down on his power trip. I wanted to turn his skull into goo with my fists. Stalked me. Purposely took Amara. Rubbing his plot in my face. I’d been slightly guilty about my prior thoughts of regicide, but any hesitation evaporated. And I was going to take his wife from him without a doubt. Immediately.
“I was going to exile you, but this will be much more entertaining. I think I’ll request my dear brother to be the witness for our wedding night,” my brother glanced at my clenched fists, “Before you start planning — you get this dumb look on your face when you’re thinking too hard — I can just as easily throw my bride in the dungeon as I can give her the Queen’s apartments. You decide. Isn’t that kind of me? You can protect your unfortunate love just by being a good boy.”
I wrenched my body into something calmer, “You cannot expect the court will abide by you imprisoning the Princess. You’ll be expected to dote on her, charm her, publicly. The people want a fairytale couple.”
He shrugged, “She will do as I say, whether she must be punished prior will be something you decide.”
“She isn’t a horse you can command,” my voice played at being reasonable.
“You’re right,” Percival smirked. “She’s a well-bred bitch. And she will come when I snap my fingers.”
Sweat trickled down my back; I needed to leave the room before I committed treason. “I’m taking a walk,” I stormed off.
“I’ll have you fetched for dinner,” he called after me.
I roamed the halls, a raging poltergeist, not knowing where I was wandering. Until I saw her. Percival would try to fuck with him if he found them together, but he had to take the chance. He needed to do something.
Amara’s lips fell open as she stood frozen in the doorway to the adjoining hall. “Val.”
I exhaled her name and impulsively crushed her against my chest. “Amara. I am so sorry. I never wanted to leave I didn’t —“
“It doesn’t matter now,” she fisted the fabric of my middle back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you’d be —“
“I’m sure you didn’t have much of a choice,” I cupped her cheek, caressing my thumb against her skin. “I don’t care, Amara. I love you. I will never stop loving you.”
Tears obscured the color of her eyes. “I love you. He’s your brother; we can’t do this to him.”
“My half-brother is a lunatic. Run with me. Run alone. Get out,” I warned her, pressing my forehead against hers. “Save yourself, please.”
“It’s too late,” she croaked. “He has a good reputation. Everyone was clamoring to sell him their daughter. I won’t love him….maybe I’ll learn to, but he is said to be kind and that can be enough for an arranged marriage.”
I shoved her back with my hands on her shoulders, “He is not. He is a monster. Maybe we can arrange being caught in a compromising position, and I’ll do the honorable thing and marry you.” Despite the redness coloring her cheeks, it was a decent plan unless he had me executed for touching her.
“You’re being ridiculous.” She frowned, “Why are you so insistent? The contracts are signed; there is nothing I can change. Do not make this more heartbreaking by trying to run me off because of your jealousy. Ruin my reputation, my family name, to construct a situation where I do not marry the most sought-after husband in the continent? Val, come on.”
“I’m not jealous,” I snapped. “I mean, I am, but you have to listen to me.”
She shook her head, “I don’t have to do anything. Please stop making this harder than it already is and choose to savor these few moments we’ve been blessed with together.”
Percival had cultivated a pristine image in the public; it was no wonder she wouldn’t believe the danger. Up until that morning, I had thought any injury he caused was out of ignorance and not malice. I needed to think fast, save her, but my mind couldn’t keep up. I was too stunned by seeing her and seeing him.
“Ahem,” an almost tactful voice sliced us apart. “Princess, his highness requests your presence.”
The Prince’s butler hadn’t come to wrangle me, but instead was fetching Amara. My stomach churned.
She smoothed the front of her dress. “May I ask why I am being summoned? I was given leave to rest.”
“You are invited to an early dinner by your betrothed, Prince Percival,” he emphasized the expectation of proper decorum. She couldn’t say no without possibly insulting her soon-to-be groom. It wasn’t a question; she would be attending to him.
“I will escort the Princess,” I inclined my head to her, earning a small, sad smile.
The servant continued, “You are being requested in the guard hall on the first floor. I have strict orders to attend to the lady.”
Trapped.
I prayed that Percival’s threats only extended to me for the present time.
“Princess Amara, I must take my leave. Thank you for the conversation, and I bid you a good afternoon,” my eyes screamed the words I desperately wanted to say, run run run.
“Good afternoon, Prince Valimar,” she curtsied before walking down the hall with the servant.
Fuck. Fan-fucking-tastic.
Who wanted me in the guard hall? I was only surpassed in rank by the seated royals and the current guard captain. No planning was scheduled for the day, and training had been completed in the morning. Was it my father asking something of me? There was nothing he could possibly want from me so desperately as to request my attendance.
Maybe I’d be meeting with Amara’s guards. That seemed most likely. Reasonable, I told myself.
My steps echoed off the stone walls of the spiral staircase, only to be met with a clomping that did not belong to me. My heart raced, and I prepared to defend myself. When I saw the culprit, I laughed at my paranoia. “Lord Kaelin, good afternoon. Are you coming from the armory?”
Kaelin, the son of a minor lord, was one of the soldiers I enjoyed sparring with. Perhaps I could convince him to go for a round or two so I could clear my head. “Vali — Prince Valimar, I…”
His eyes flicked over my shoulder before grimacing at me, “I am so sorry, Val. Truly.”
“What?” I stepped back as his hulking frame blocked my pathway downwards.
A cord from behind me wrapped around my throat, intent to suffocate me. How had I not noticed someone behind me? This was planned. After his whole monologue, did Percival intend to kill me without the tortures he’d outlined?
I clawed at my neck, throwing my body backwards to catch the man behind me off balance. A single man I could overpower. Kaelin, whom I’d thought a friend, morosely lifted the hilt of his rapier and struck me on the temple.
Darkness followed.
Maybe this was the end for me.
