Loving the Forbidden Prince

f Harmony!" the Master of Ceremonies drawled. "Now, as this celebration comes into its last hour, your Royal hosts have prepared a final

ose in the dark garden together. Ayleth rolled her eyes, but before she could turn and boldly invite her lion lord to walk her through the Castle and i

lk her out of the ballroom, gossiping as they trotted throu

t could only crane her neck, desperate to catch a final glimpse of the young man, still standing in the same pl

, whined. Ayleth tried to care as they peppered her with questions

ord Vitren swept me ar

stood on your foot at l

ced with, Highness? He se

Maze? Should we beat the men to the c

a scanda

to the entrance of the maze. The young nobles and soon-to-be-rulers from all Kingdoms gathered in groups and pairs, some solo, but all

ooped around her heart and drew tight-this time pulling her West. Her eyes flew open and she turned,

her neck. Yet every time she turned to find a set of piercing green eyes and broad shoulders, she saw only fam

to her? Had he c

e'd felt her mother use. With a determined sigh, she quickened her steps, urging her ladies forward faster. The sooner sh

en she blinked uncertainly. She still didn't think she'd gotten the hang of that one. She lo

d a corner in the maze. Her Court had scattered, screaming in delight, while the men

er-which should have brought her to the wide, main corridor in the hedge

on her heel intending to go back a

e was alone.

e could not deny the inherent risk of all the neighboring Kingdoms attending the festival along with their staff.

arents (and the staff who'd made it, assuming they weren't dead.) So, if anyone untoward were to stumble in, she could find her way out. But her nerves began to jangle. Abduction of Ru

she didn't notice the heavy footsteps unt

he broad, squat shape of a man in the dark wasn't a stranger, but the unmistakable bulk of Lord Vitren. T

disappointment in her voice. "I don't know where t

wards her mutt

that?" s

me, Princess?" he slurred. "I've s

think so. She found the man repulsive, frankly. But

mbarrassed you, Roarke

nd suddenly his hand was around her wrist lik

ran suddenly?" The base and pagan Kingdom of Summitras was ruled by a King and Queen her own parents h

breath washing over her face as he lowered his thick lips to

e only laughed, scrambling with her skirts and continuing t

, Roarke!" she snarled.

You're hot when yo

one slippered foot hooked behind his ankle. Then with a grunt that would have made her mother pale, she used his greater weight against him, be

over her leg, falling heavily on his back, h

her high heeled slipper to his throat as she held his arm b

choose to twist off your... appendage." What was the dratted thing called? She'd only ever heard the men refer to them as carrots, or other vegetables,

like a child suddenly woken from a bad dream. Ayleth's face twisted in distas

s-and your tongue-to yourself in future," a warm,