Page 55 of The Prince's Curse

“Void take the alliance!” Haldric bucked his hips, grinding against Benjin, who let out another groan. “For two years, I’ve done all that was asked of me. But here, now,thisis what I want. What I need. I need you, Benjin. I think I have for a while now, even if I’ve been too stubborn to admit it.”

The words stirred something in Benjin, kindling a hope he hadn’t even realized lurked there.By the Goddess, when did I start to think of Haldric as more than a stuck-up noble?

“I need you, too,” he said, proving the veracity of his words by claiming Haldric’s mouth in another heart-stopping kiss.

Benjin wasn’t certain which of them began undressing the other first, but it was definitely him who grew weary of buttons and resorted to magic. Soon, glowing tendrils of runeflame leaped from both their palms, ripping open garments and hurling them across the room.

If Benjin had thought his skin on fire before, now he positively blazed, a wild inferno stoked far past the point of no return. Slick flesh met slick flesh as they slid together onto Benjin’s bed, Haldric’s firm hands gentle as he guided Benjin down.

“Have you—?” Haldric asked hesitantly.

Benjin nodded. “You?”

“Yes.” Haldric chewed on his bottom lip as his smoldering gaze raked over Benjin’s bare chest. “But I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want you.”

A blush colored Benjin’s face. He reached up, brushing a hand over the coarse bristles on Haldric’s cheek. “I’m sure you say thatto all the boys,” he teased. “Unless it was my winning personality that drew your eye? Or was it my propensity for always being right?”

Haldric huffed a soft laugh and shook his head, swishing his long hair. His fingers traced down Benjin’s arms, leaving goosebumps in their wake. “By the Goddess, no one can push my buttons quite like you can.”

Grinning wickedly, Benjin bucked his hips, delighting in the way Haldric shivered and pressed against him in response. Both of them glistened with sweat.

“Like that?” Benjin asked with feigned innocence.

Haldric seized Benjin’s lips, kissing him as if it were their last night on Allaria. As if this were the only chance he’d ever get. With a sinking sensation in his gut, Benjin realized it very well might be.

Well, then that just means I need to make the most of it.

Returning the kiss with renewed vigor, Benjin dragged his hand down Haldric’s chest, tweaking his nipple before brushing it through the soft hair of Haldric’s happy trail. He brought his hand lower still, and Haldric moaned softly against his lips, his body shuddering as he began to rock back and forth in Benjin’s grip.

His brilliant green eyes seemed to drink Benjin in, wide with desperate desire. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured.

Benjin flushed, looking away. No one had ever said that to him before. No one had ever looked at him the way Haldric was right now. No one had ever made him feel so wanted, so needed. Like he was more than some pathetic lowborn who’d dared to rise above his station. Like hemattered.

Gazing at the writhing prince splayed out above him, something stirred in Benjin’s chest—something he didn’t quite dare name. Instead, he focused on stroking Haldric, losing himself in the press of lips and skin and heat.

When the prince finally arched atop him, his honed abs clenching on a long moan, Benjin wasn’t far behind. A pleasurable shudder ripped through him, and he collapsed atop the tousled sheets while the prince held him and pressed kisses against his sweat-slicked neck. As his eyes drifted closed, Haldric whispering sweet nothings into his ear, Benjin couldn’t recall ever feeling more at peace.

twenty

Haldric

Haldric could barely lookat Lord and Lady Galax the following morning while he said his goodbyes. From Lady Galax’s smug expression, she must’ve assumed he’d consummated his arranged marriage with her daughter the night before. Lady Katalin certainly hadn’t disabused her mother of that notion, for which Haldric was grateful.

With a twinkle in her eye, Katalin kissed his cheek and clasped his hands in the courtyard outside their estate. “Travel safe, my husband-to-be.” She leaned in, lowering her voice. “And don’t worry—I’ll ensure Mother stands by our end of the bargain.”

Haldric forced a nod and a smile even as his gut twisted with guilt. “You are too kind, my lady. I wish there was some way I could repay the favor.” He hesitated. “And I’m sorry again for—”

Katalin stepped back, fixing him with a stern look. “None of that now. I told you, there’s no rush. If you wish to repay me, offer your father the same reassurances. This alliance is more important than either of us.”

Shame clawed up Haldric’s throat, nearly choking him. “Indeed,” he managed.

With one last gracious bow of his head to her and her parents, he retreated stiff-backed to his waiting carriage. Marshal Fendrel had already saddled the horses, ready and waiting to depart with his soldiers. And Benjin…

Haldric felt a rush of relief and fresh regret when he spied Benjin’s mop of curls poking over the edge of their supply wagon. Apparently, he’d opted to forsake the carriage today. That was probably for the best.

Last night had been a colossal mistake. It had also been one of the best nights of Haldric’s life, but that made little difference.

The simple truth was that he’d given into temptation, letting his lust control him. What sort of king would he be if he couldn’t even put his people before his own selfish desires?

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