Page 54 of The Prince's Curse

Benjin hesitated, uncertain how to finish that thought. Finally, he sighed and opted for the truth. “She’s great. She’ll make a worthy queen someday. And I think she’d…she’d be really good for you.”

Haldric’s entire body tensed, though Benjin couldn’t understand why, especially when he replied in a pained voice, “I concur.”

Neither of them said anything for a span of heartbeats. Benjin glanced longingly toward the door, half-considering fleeing his own chambers to escape this awkward encounter. The prince never did anything without a purpose. So, why in the name of the Goddess was he here?

“This alliance is critical for Ilthabard’s survival,” Haldric said eventually. “It’s the only way to ensure our continued independence. I have to marry Katalin. For the good of the people.”

Benjin chuckled. “You sound like you’re trying to convince yourself as much as you are me. Are you having second thoughts?”

“No!” Haldric furrowed his brow, staring at his clasped fingers atop the table in front of him. “I mean…no. You’re right—it’s a good match.”

Benjin leaned in, meeting Haldric’s troubled gaze. “Then, why do you sound like it’s the last thing in Allaria you want to do?” Something in his chest fluttered. “Why are youreallyhere, Haldric?”

“I…” Haldric’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. Breaking eye contact, he abruptly stood, pacing toward the door. For a moment, Benjin thought he would stride straight out of it, leaving as abruptly as he’d arrived.

Instead, he stopped and whirled to face Benjin. “You shouldn’t have left the banquet so soon. It risked insulting Lord and Lady Galax.”

Benjin slowly stood, his jaw flexing. “How I choose to spend my time is none of your business.”

“It is when you’re here as an official representative of Ilthabard. Any offense you give reflects poorly on the entire delegation, me included.”

“Offense?” Benjin scoffed. “I hardly think my early departure risks derailing your marriage. And frankly, if it does, then it wasn’t worth much to begin with.”

“Anyrisk at this delicate stage is too much. Which is why you also shouldn’t have interrupted my walk with Katalin this afternoon.”

Benjin’s brows shot up. Had the Void-cursed prince lost his mind? “I ran into you byaccident!And if you recall,youwere the only one who seemed bothered.” He raised an eyebrow. “Why is that, anyway? Were you feeling threatened?”

Haldric’s mask cracked, his cheeks reddening. “Don’t be absurd! I’m simply pointing out your continued lack of decorum.”

Benjin balled his hands into fists, his eyes blazing. “May I remind you,Your Highness,I’m not the one going around banging on people’s doors in the middle of the night! If anyone’s out of line here, it’syou.Why, I might almost think you’re stalking me.”

To Benjin’s utter astonishment, Haldric went rigid, his hands bursting alight with conjured runeflame. The azure flames danced across his fingertips, leaving streaks of silver in their wake.

“I’ve allowed you to berate and belittle me for far too long! I am yourprince,and youwillshow me the proper respect deserving of my station!”

Goddess’ mercy, he’s serious.Benjin refused to retreat despite his flaring nerves. Though he didn’t raise his hands, he brought his own runeflame to the surface, ready to cast at a moment’s notice. The thought of hurling the insane prince across the room with a blast of force was altogether too tempting.

“Oh, I’m showing you exactly as much respect as you deserve,” Benjin sneered. “Or are you going to try to force me?”

Haldric stepped in closer, barely a hand’s breadth now separating them. Magic crackled between them, filling the room with a static charge. Fleetingly, Benjin wondered what would happen if the servants arrived in the morning and found they’d both blasted themselves to smithereens.

A shudder raced down Haldric’s back. His upraised hands trembled, crackling with runeflame, while his green eyes widened with barely restrained emotion. Then, he surged forward…and pressed his lips to Benjin’s.

Shock reverberated through Benjin, headier than any magic.The prince is kissing me. His brain felt disconnected from his body, unable to process what was happening. Seconds drifted by and he just stood there, still as a statue, barely even remembering to breathe.

Then, he snapped back to himself. Wrapping his arms around Haldric’s broad shoulders, he returned the kiss, marveling at the firm muscles that, until now, he’d only ever admired from afar.

Haldric’s tongue flicked at his mouth, and Benjin let it in with a groan, running his hands down Haldric’s back and yanking Haldric flush against him. He could tell at once that Haldric shared his own excitement, the exquisite pressure sending searing heat through him.

By the time they parted, panting for breath, they’d both long since lost their grip on their runeflame. They stared at each other, neither of them moving to separate. Benjin’s hands lightly grazed over Haldric’s back and sides while Haldric linked his arms behind Benjin as if desperate to keep him close.

Some small part of Benjin maintained the capacity for reason, and it compelled him to speak. “We…we shouldn’t have done that. Lady Katalin—”

Haldric buried his face in Benjin’s neck, nipping at the soft skin there. All rational thought fled from Benjin as he writhed in Haldric’s grip, moaning as Haldric kissed a line up his jaw.

“No more talk of politics or responsibilities,” Haldric murmured, pausing to nibble on Benjin’s ear lobe. “I can’t stand another second of it.”

“But your alliance—”

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