Page 42 of Glass Hearts
“Are you sure none of the princes are outside?” She says to someone, probably her mice, who seem to have been keeping a lookout for her. I am glad I stuck to the shadows today, if the mice didn’t see me.
Chittering confirmation is all I hear as she slowly exits her room and closes her door.
“Going somewhere, Princess?” I cut her off before she gets any further. Not sure where that nickname comes from. Her shoulders slump as she turns around, seeing me with my arms crossed, leaning against the stone wall. A new bandana is over her stunning face. That won’t do. I walk up to her.
“I am not a princess,Prince,” she says back icily as I remove the bandana, uncovering her stunning face that haunts me.
“Do I need to tie you to your bed,Princess?” The heat in her eyes from my comment goes straight to my dick.
“You would like that, wouldn’t you, Prince Archer?”
I wrap my hand around her neck, not squeezing as I guide her back to the cold stone wall.
“You are a brat. We take you away from your awful stepfamily, and here you are disrespecting us by trying to slink away into the darkness yet again. To steal from more innocent people? You are far too much trouble.”
“Then let me go. I’ll get out of your way so you can sleep with Adrianna and any other woman you desire. Ultimately, I am of no consequence.”
“Jealous, Princess?”
“No.”
I squeeze her neck a little and I lean into her, bringing my mouth to her delicate ear, breathing in her intoxicating vanilla cinnamon scent.
“Liar,” I whisper. I feel her body light up and melt with arousal. I am in dangerous territory, wanting to kiss those treacherous lips. Needing distance, I remove my hand from her throat and step back. “Get back into your room, little thief. You are not going anywhere tonight.”
Sadness from rejection is visible on her face before she schools her features once more to indifference. But I didn’t miss it. How easily it would be to give in to my desires for thelittle thief. Pinning her against the wall and taking her until she screams my name for all the workers to hear.
“You are a jerk.” She storms back to her room and slams her door.
Arabella
These princes will be the death of me.
I can still feel the firm grip Archer had on my throat. I couldn’t forget the sensation of his body, the warmth and weight of him as he pressed me roughly against the wall. The hunger in his eyes, along with his erection, undid me entirely.
I remove my Shadow clothes and go to bed naked, my body completely overheated from the exchange.
The next morning, the Courting Events are back in place, and my regular duties are back in full force. The day is so busy that I don’t even have time to see the princes, which is a mercy I needed.
The last few days have really made me realize how strong my attraction to all of them is. How dangerous it is to fall for them, especially when I should focus on trying to remove my curse.They are not an option;I constantly have to remind myself. My betraying heart isn’t catching up with the reality.
By the time I return to my room after dinner, I am already passed out.
* * *
I bolt awake as there’s a frantic knock on my door. Still in my uniform, I open the door to see a desperate Bridgette.
“Sorry to bother you, girl. But do you think you could help with the evening cocktail event? They should wrap up soon, butBuster & Miranda both fell ill for their shift this evening, and everyone else is already a few wines deep.”
“Of course I can help.” I offer a smile to dampen her frantic energy.
“Excellent, it is happening on the west wing terrace. I owe you big time.”
I quickly hurry to the west wing. If she said it was wrapping up, perhaps the Princes won’t be there. I still need a reprieve from seeing their stupid, handsome faces. It feels like a weight on my chest every time I have to look at them.
Opening the grandiose door, my heart drops to my stomach as I take in the scene. The room is bathed in red and black velvet. It’s sexy as much as it is intoxicating. The room is lit low, with just a few candles. Two councilmen are off to the side, drinking and whispering, but my eyes find the princes instantly. Grayer and Koi are on two couches opposite each other. Three ladies were sitting very close to them. It’s the same black-haired beauty with Grayer, Winona, I believe. Koi is talking to two of the Quadias, both dressed in matching revealing blue and red low-cut gowns. The other Quadias, of course, are in the same dress. Sylas is in a booth. Two of the other Quadias are there, though they are both shooting daggers at the woman currently running her hand all over Sylas’s chest. He whispers in her ear, very close to the woman. Archer is on a settee with a beautiful blonde on top of him. Making out as if there isn’t a room full of other ladies and his fellow princes. My heart breaks at the sight.
I knew they weren’t mine. So why do I keep feeling hopeful? Shame rears its ugly head as tears envelop my eyes. Embarrassingly, that’s when I feel a set of eyes on me. Sylas. A treacherous tear escapes down my cheek. I wipe it off, but get to work.
