Loving the Forbidden Prince

thered nobles and he had to watch her force herself to turn from him. He almost reached

e bewitched him. Yet, he did not feel poisoned. On the contrary he

ighty girl! Yet, as she was surrounded by the Lords and Ladies of her Cour

future-King," a nee

d his eyes

le eyes following the crush of nobles salivating over all the gathered royals. He was one of the sharpest minds on the Continent-not that an

iamond shapes. The puffed shoulders of his matching tunic hid more than one dagger, and t

the Heir to the throne. Tonight, his Joker's mask leering in a very disturbing manner, Borsche pulled a handful

she is?" he asked

certain, anywa

like me t

for me." If his fe

enithrans. Else that Lion's snout may blind you. I'd hate to see you walk into a hedge while in polite company," he chuckled under his breath, then nodded at

n at the stroke of midnight and save me fro

that cloud of young nobles, but not without a pleading glance back to f

r. But how to do it w

shall go to the unmasking after all. It isn't as

easily caught, Highness-the ladies of the royal stable are more often i

t, but caught himself. It would only make Borsche suspicious. "

baiting you? About my words? You think the people in these halls will give you any mercy, Et? Do you believe they'll wish to soothe your ruffled feathers? Make no mistake, there are rulers and heir

ld of what is yours to control. Step into

nk I'm here?" E

idering the question. "You do seem oddly f

truct the Master of Servants to pu

am here to find a wi

ce, producing a caramel from somewhere in his impossible clothing and

y of his own so that his loyalty to the Heir would never be threatened. Etan wondered if this incredi

way to find a wife, given that all the royal lasses will be in one pl

u mean?" Et

the necessary competition? No woman of noble birth who intends to find a husband will stand aside and wait for you to approach quietly when half a dozen Princes, Dukes, and Masters will leap to fight for her hand." He took a deep breath and turned away

d. "Will y

n. "You are the light of the future, Etan. I know what the Light has given you, and I'll do everything in my po

e man slapped at his hand and glared at him. "Thank you for your loyalty, brother." Etan gave a sharp bow of respect, though he kept hi

horse herself," he offered. "I want to help you trai

the cutting looks from the Zenithran Court Lo