THE PLAYBOY IS A PRINCE

Varelia's flags flapped like wounded birds against the wind. The war drums had fallen silent, but the wind still carried the scent of iron and fire. Princess Elara Valen stood beside her father's throne room balcony, the crown of gold on her head heavier than ever before.

Your Majesty," said Lord Darnel, the king's advisor, his voice reed-thin and desperate. "Astren's ambassador is present. They come bearing an offer."

An offer. Elara's heart hit once, hard.

For three years they had been their thorn - raiding border towns, ambushing Varelian troops, and leaving destruction in their wake. And at the center of every whispered rumor was Prince Kael Aerion, second son of Astren's king - the rake prince, the pretty boy who so much better liked taverns and duels to diplomacy.

Her jaw tightened. What could a man like that possibly give?

The great doors creaked open, and the Astren delegation walked through - armor gleaming, scarlet cloaks streaming over the marble floor. At their head was Prince Kael himself.

He was nothing like the decayed libertine she had imagined in her head. Tall, broad-shouldered, with disheveled black hair and thunder-blemished eyes. He had the loose, easy gait of a man who feared nothing - and perhaps no god.

"Your Majesty," Kael answered politely, bowing to his father. "My father, King Rodric, salutes you-and desires peace."

The eyes of King Alden grew cold. "Peace," he repeated. "Following all those years of conflict?"

Kael smiled faintly. "Even wounds can mend, if the right. binding is applied." His gaze danced to Elara, and she felt it like a touch. "Our realms need to be one. What greater symbol than a union?"

The court erupted into mutterings.

Elara's fists clenched in her skirts. Marriage?

Her father's roar thundered down the hall. "You suggest my daughter marry the prince of our foe?"

Kael stood firm, returning his stare unwavering. "A union between Astren and Varelia would end centuries of enmity. My father suggests that Princess Elara marry me - and bring peace to both countries.".

Elara advanced, her tone as cold as glass. "You expect me to wed a man who has spent his life shedding my people's blood?"

He shifted to face her then, and for an instant, the mocking mask slipped. "I think," he told her gently, "you would wed for your people's sake, not your own pride."

The words cut deeper than she wished. Pride was all she had left.

King Alden's council fell into disarray. Some were screaming it was madness. Others were murmuring it might save thousands of lives. Elara said nothing, watching Kael.

He stood calmly, unfazed by the chaos that swirled around him, his eyes occasionally drifting toward her - studying her as if she were a riddle he intended to figure out.