The Golden Prince Read online

  “Have it your way,” I said sullenly. “Wait in line for an audience with the halfling prince.” I threw in a sneer, not intended for Lark. He was the easy target when Pervinca was driving me up the fucking wall.

  We weren’t promised to one another. Not yet. But our parents wouldn’t let us put it off much longer.

  I stormed away from Lark’s admiring flock, making my way to Thayer, who had graciously offered to hold on to my trident while I danced with Pervinca.

  With hair highlighted in various shades of blue, Thayer fit right in with the theme. He wore his fine locks feathered with wispy strands thinning out over his pale collarbones. Black fitted trousers hugged his hips, above which he wore a designer shirt printed with dolphins.

  “Thanks,” I said as he handed me my trident.

  “Try to resist the temptation to stab Lark Elmray with it.” Thayer smirked at the crowd swirling around the golden prince.

  “Or Pervinca,” I muttered.

  Thayer’s violet eyes snapped back to me. I should have kept my mouth shut. I didn’t want to give him false hope. I’d ended our tryst months ago. It was pointless. We were both firstborns. Our families expected us to produce heirs. Plus, he wasn’t my type.

  “Let’s grab some drinks and wander the corridor,” Thayer suggested.

  A teal-haired female wearing a seashell bra strode past us to get to Lark. I could no longer see him with the masses crowding in.

  I turned my attention back to Thayer. “I told you it’s over.”

  Thayer shrugged, and I didn’t even think it was for show. “If you change your mind . . .” He left it at that before sauntering off toward the quartet.

  I needed a drink—something that wasn’t decorated with dolphins.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Lark

  Cadmi clung to me as the crowd thickened.

  I pushed her away. I’d spotted a bigger fish.

  Crispin had stormed off, and Pervinca started eyeing me up and down with a look that suggested she’d like to lick the gold shimmer off my arms.

  Interesting.

  I did a quick search for Crispin, taking note of his place at the refreshment tables with his back to me, a trident in one hand and a bubbling drink in the other.

  I could feel the grin eating up my face with each step I took toward Pervinca.

  Once she saw I was heading to her, she pretended not to notice. She lifted her slender wrist and ran her fingers over a sapphire bracelet.

  “Hello, Pervinca,” I said in a low, deep voice.

  “Prince Lark,” she said, feigning boredom.

  “Dance with me.” It was a command, not a question.

  Pervinca’s eyes glittered in outrage while her lips twitched in excitement. “I prefer to keep my feet on solid ground.”

  “You enjoy it standing,” I said in a suggestive tone.

  Pervinca’s cheeks pinkened, and her eyes expanded. The look morphed into fury that practically radiated off her cheeks. “You are a rake. Boorish spawn. Vulgar. Crass.”

  My shoulders shook with laughter.

  “What?” Pervinca demanded.

  “At least you’re not smooching my ass.”

  “I would never stoop that low.”

  “What if I was the one . . . to stoop?” I asked huskily. I let my eyes slide down the front of her gown. Let her draw her own conclusions as to my intent.

  Pervinca moistened her lips with her tongue and looked from side to side before lifting her chin. “You shouldn’t speak to me that way.”

  “I’m the prince of Dahlquist. This is my castle. I can speak any way I like.”

  She made little huffy noises, probably to cover up her excitement at this little game we were playing. Pervinca and Crispin always looked so stiff and miserable when they stood together at these functions—your typical Fae couple. My family was an anomaly, one built on love and trust. It was sad how all these Fae nobles looked down on one of the best things worth living for.

  “You’re looking a bit feverish, Miss Peppercuff. Allow me to escort you to the gardens, where we can cool off or warm up, depending on the mood,” I whispered beside her ear. “I promise to be the perfect gentleman, unless you tell me otherwise.”

  She took note of my word choice. A Fae promise was powerful.

  I held my arm out to her. She wrinkled her nose. I’d known she’d be a hard one to hook. I kept a mental list of faeries who needed punishing. I’d crossed off two. Ruined one engagement and the reputation of a pretentious female whose parents were super old school. I hadn’t actually done anything so much as staged things and let wagging tongues take over from there. Loopholes were all the rage among a race who couldn’t lie. It could start with “I saw,” or “It looked like,” or “I thought I heard,” or even “I bet they” dot, dot, dot—fill in the blank.

  The irony wasn’t lost on me that I was still a virgin. Dance wasn’t my only specialty. I was quite the actor as well.

  I’d meant to sneak away with Cadmi. She was high on the list. But Pervinca was even higher, and I wasn’t one to ignore an opportunity. She wasn’t number one, but if I played things right, I might strike a chord that echoed all the way to the top. That’s where the name Crispin Maglen, Earl of Ashcraw, resided all high and mighty. He’d always be at the top. Somehow, I knew there was no taking him down. Not unless I fell with him.

  “Fine,” Pervinca said pertly. “It’s getting overcrowded in here. How many invitations did your aunt send out? She ought to be more selective. I hardly recognize half the cretins flouncing around the ballroom. A party starts to feel less exclusive the more civilians you allow in, you know.”

  I had to stop myself from rolling my eyes. How could Crispin stand her? Probably why he was drinking.

  I needed to get Miss Prissy Pants out of the ballroom before he noticed and stopped us. Some busybody could report seeing us leave together a little later. I wished I could see his face when he got slapped with that juicy broadcast.

  “Let’s not tarry,” I said, ushering Pervinca along. But Pervinca wasn’t one to be rushed. No, she had to sweep out of the ballroom like a damn Disney princess.

  Maybe I didn’t need to mess with Crispin. Pervinca Peppercuff was probably punishment enough. A lifetime of misery. My heart dropped as a well of sorrow opened inside my chest. I felt as though I might trip and fall into it, then drown in the endless waters below.

  I lifted my chin. Resolute. No. I should definitely mess with him. He needed to suffer, at least a little, for ripping my heart in half before I even realized I had a heart for the breaking.

  Pervinca prattled on beside me the entire walk to the private courtyard. It was dark when we stepped outside. If I’d known I would snag Pervinca Peppercuff, I would have lit the lanterns ahead of time. Instead, I called fire into my palm. As the fire lit, so too did Pervinca’s eyes. Her lips parted.

  “It’s true, then. You have elemental powers.”

  “Among other qualities,” I said.

  I moved around the courtyard, lighting each lantern with my fingertips. Firelight glowed over the stone benches, fountains, and trim shrubbery. I walked over to the stone statue Uncle Liri had commissioned in my likeness. It was life-size and nude. I leaned one arm against it and asked, “What do you think?”

  Pervinca’s layers of tulle swished with her when she walked over, stopping in front of the statue. She looked it up and down, openly staring at the generous carving of the genitals.

  “If you wish to compare, I’d be happy to oblige,” I offered. I hooked one thumb under the band of my Speedo and snapped it against my hip bone.

  Pervinca took her eyes off the statue and narrowed them at me. “I can see quite enough as it is,” she said pertly. “I’m not one of your naïve conquests, Prince Lark. I know all about your game of luring ladies to private quarters then attempting to seduce them.”

  Smirking, I let go of the statue and folded my arms just below the gold chain. “Then why did you come here with me?” />
  Pervinca pushed several curls over her shoulder and lifted her nose. Just when I thought she couldn’t act more superior, she stretched that particular appendage to new heights. “Curiosity,” she informed me. “I wanted to see you in action. I must say I thought you’d be more charming.”

  “If you wanted charming, you’d be toasting flutes of bubbling wine with your bore of a boyfriend, the earl.” I showed my teeth when I smiled.

  Pervinca pursed her lips.

  “You have your entire life to live a boring, proper existence, Pervinca. Don’t you want to live a little for one night?” I lifted my chin, higher than her nose. “Don’t you want to be ravished by a prince?”

  She shivered slightly. It wasn’t cold out. Dahlquist was rarely cold.

  Pressing my luck, I moved one hand to my heart and looked at her in earnest. “I promise I won’t tell a soul, upon my honor.”

  “Upon your promise,” Pervinca corrected. She grinned. “If I were to grant you such favors, it would have nothing to do with your supposed honor.”

  I shrugged. “Is that a yes?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  Sky, she was aggravating, but she wasn’t storming away, either.

  It was fitting to do this here in the castle courtyard. I still remembered the day Crispin had wandered in while his parents spoke to my fathers in the throne room about boring matters of the realm. I’d been twelve at the time. My brothers were still children, off in the nursery. I had a basketball from the human world that I was bouncing around the courtyard, practicing my dribbling and spinning the ball on the tip of my finger.

  When Crispin sauntered in, tall and confident, my heart had leaped at the possibility of a new friend, especially one so beautiful. He had a long, elegant face and proud way of carrying himself. Even as a boy, he’d worn his hair in a long ponytail tied back with a silk ribbon.

  “Hi, I’m Lark,” I’d said. “Who are you?”

  “Crispin Maglen, Earl of Ashcraw.”

  I swear I was a goner the moment I heard his voice. There was something magnificent and breathtaking about his arrogance.

  “Do you want to play ball with me, Crispin?” I’d asked eagerly.

  He’d sneered at me. “Do you really think I’d be caught dead playing with the likes of you?”

  “The likes of me?” I’d repeated, feeling as though I’d just been pushed.

  “A halfling. The son of a liar. The offshoot of an elf. Shall I go on, halfling?” He’d smiled cruelly, looking more delighted with each ugly insult he flung at me.

  There were so many words I would have liked to have said if I could go back in time. Instead, I’d looked at him with a trembling chin, tears spilling from my eyes. There was no blinking them away. I swear they splashed out, adding to my humiliation. I expected Crispin to either apologize or laugh. (Laugh, most likely.) But he sneered again, drawing back as though I’d developed a case of the pox that he didn’t want to catch.

  “Boo-hoo. I made the halfling cry.” His upper lip curled. “Pathetic.”

  His voice hadn’t sounded attractive. As he spun on his heel and strode away, I’d vowed then and there that one day I would make Crispin pay for his cruelty.

  A promise was a promise. What better place to seduce his intended than in the courtyard where he’d stomped on my heart?

  Dropping my gaze to Pervinca’s lips, I took a step forward.

  “Have you ever kissed a male with fire magic?” I asked. I called my powers to me, controlling flames that danced over my chest.

  Pervinca took a wide step backward. “You’ll burn me,” she hissed.

  Her sour expression nearly extinguished my fire. I didn’t want to show her this part of me. It felt too personal. But I was determined to at least get a kiss. Had Crispin kissed those pert lips of hers? No. I couldn’t think about that.

  I concentrated on sending the flames licking up my neck. I opened my mouth and drew it all back in, then smiled. “I promise not to burn you.”

  Pervinca huffed. “You make a lot of promises.”

  “I promise it will be a kiss unlike anything you’ve ever experienced.”

  Another huff.

  “Do you really want to miss out on the best kiss of your life?” I chided.

  “Sky, you’re relentless.”

  “Afraid you’ll like it?” I challenged.

  She opened her mouth to speak, probably wanting to tell me it was doubtful or that she had no interest. The lies refused to emerge, offering me great amusement. Pervinca closed her mouth and pressed her lips together. She glared at me.

  I relaxed my shoulders. “Do not worry, Pervinca. I will escort you back to the ballroom. A perfect gentleman, as promised.” I placed one hand on my crown to keep it from falling when I bowed. Then I straightened and offered her my most dashing smile as I held out my arm.

  I wouldn’t press her. Pervinca might take several moves to conquer, like a game piece on Aunt Aerith and Uncle Jhaeros’s campaigne board. Tonight wasn’t a failure. Tonight, I’d moved her one spot closer to her downfall.

  Pervinca didn’t mask her disappointment. Good. Let her imagination run wild with thoughts of me and what I might have done if she’d allowed me. It would make the pursuit more entertaining.

  She was reaching for my arm when I caught sight of Crispin entering the courtyard from the east entrance.

  Acting on impulse, I pulled Pervinca to me, crushing my lips to hers. Heat rushed to my mouth on command, searing our lips in an electrical current. It sizzled from my tongue and hummed from my throat to hers.

  Dick move? Maybe. But she’s the one who’d once called my mother an elf whore. Insulting my mom was a big mistake. Tremendous. If Pervinca were a male, I’d be decking her rather than sullying my mouth on hers.

  Pervinca moaned. The timing couldn’t have been more perfect. She didn’t see Crispin storming up behind her.

  “What in the seven hells is this?” he demanded.

  Being the pompous aristocrat, he didn’t yell, but I could see him seething from the shake of his arms.

  “I would think it’s quite obvious,” I said.

  The Earl of Arrogance usually fought with words. I did not expect him to tackle me.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Crispin

  Lark wasn’t expecting my attack. I could see it in the stretching of his eyes, which were closer to me than they’d ever been. As he tipped backward, he grabbed me by my toga and took me down with him. Our crowns clattered over the flagstones and spun away as we tumbled.

  As soon as we hit the ground, he rolled us, placing himself on top. Not to be outmaneuvered, I did the same. I was taller than he was, but he was fit and full of boundless energy. His entire family seemed to hum with it everywhere they went. “Utterly unrefined,” my father was fond of remarking whenever Lyklor and Ryo were ruling over Dahlquist.

  I was all too aware of Lark’s hands gripping my arms. My groin’s traitorous reaction put me in a panic. I would not be humiliated by Lark Elmray. He had lured Pervinca here. Put his lips on her.

  I slapped him across the face.

  Lark’s jaw clenched right before he gripped me by the shoulders, shoved me off, and scrambled after me. I turned my face away, sure he would strike back as he launched himself at me, but he shook me instead. His fingers squeezed. He looked angry and out of control.

  His breath blew heavy and hot on my cheek. He had lightning in his eyes.

  It was a good thing Pervinca was watching, otherwise I would have been tempted to grab him by his gold chain, yank him to me, and kiss him. That act would be worse than any insult or blow I could land. If I kissed him, he’d undoubtedly fry me to a crisp.

  I tried to flip our positions but only managed to turn myself over the ground. Lark was still on top, grasping my toga in tight handfuls.

  I imagined our tussle turning into something more. An impossible fantasy played through my mind, of the golden prince dipping his head beneath my white robes and taking me
into his mouth. Afterwards, Lark would kiss me and say, “Truce, Crispin. You’ve opened my eyes. I’m swearing off all females from this moment forth because I find you so damn irresistible.”

  Yeah, I was delusional.

  I should be grateful he hadn’t decked me.

  I spun around, pushed him aside, and got to my feet. “Come along, Pervinca,” I said coldly. I grabbed my crown off the ground and stormed past Pervinca with her eyes bright and cheeks rosy against her porcelain skin. She looked delighted by the scuffle over her.

  I could hear the swish of her skirts as she followed me, rushing to my side once we entered the corridor. Pervinca wrapped her hand around my arm, giving me a slight tug. Probably to slow me down, as though I were a horse in need of tempering.

  “Thank goodness you came along when you did. Who knows what Prince Lark would have tried next?”

  “You weren’t exactly struggling,” I said testily.

  “Did you really expect me to snub a prince in his own castle?” Pervinca lifted her nose. “At any rate, he’ll think twice about touching me after you struck him across the face. You should have used your fist.”

  No. I shouldn’t have struck him at all. Now Lark could add that to the other unforgivable offense to have taken place in that cursed courtyard. Twice I’d hurt him. I’d seen that same wounded-doe look cross over his eyes briefly when I’d slapped him. But there were no more tears, only hatred and promises of revenge once the initial shock had cleared.

  I wanted to run back and beg for his forgiveness.

  “I should have never said those horrible things to you when we were boys,” I would say. “I should have accepted your invitation to play. I wish we had become friends.”

  I wish we could have become more.

  Lark

  I pressed my hand to my cheek.

  I wasn’t sure whether I felt encouraged or infuriated by Crispin’s slap.

  Swiping my crown off the ground, I took a detour to my chambers and reapplied shimmer where it had smudged under Crispin’s grasp. I was in no hurry to rush back to the ballroom, especially not looking like a mess. I set my crown on the vanity and gave my hair a fresh brush-through, rougher than I intended. Crispin had me riled up. I had half a mind to retire for the evening, let the party go on without me. But Dahlquist was my domain. What kind of host would I be if I disappeared before the festivities concluded?