Charmed By The Mountain Prince(4)

Mother frowns, but nods. “Understood. We can have a private ceremony with just us. I do wish you’d let us show you off though.”

“No show,” I reinforce. “I’m not some circus act.” I’d rather have a pint with men at a pub than drink champagne with people who don’t know how to get their hands dirty.

My father shakes his head. “Nothing is ever easy with you, Garrick.”

“Not easy?” I jeer. “I require so little. I’m here in this cabin, not bothering a goddamned soul.”

“But you’re the prince, Garrick,” Mother moans. “You have a royal duty to the people.”

I wince. I don’t mind getting married; if this is what my family needs, that’s what I’ll do. I won’t shirk my responsibility. Not today, not ever.

“I don’t need to live in the castle to prove I’m a prince.”

“I’m not sure Iris is going to understand that,” my mother adds, looking over my shoulder at my one-room cabin.

“She’s going to have to find a way to wrap her mind around my life. I live outside of town for a reason. It keeps me grounded, keeps my priorities straight. I can do whatever the country asks of me without being waited on hand and foot. I don’t need hot water in this cabin to prove I care about my country.”

My parents exchange a look, like they’re in on something I don’t know.

“What?”

My father claps me on the back. “Marriage is a steep learning curve, son.”

“Be easy on Iris, is what we’re trying to say,” my mother adds. “She’s from a tropical island. This is going to be a culture shock—and remember, this is an arranged marriage for her as well.”

I nod, wondering about this woman they are sending me. A tropical fucking island? There’s no way in living hell she’s going to be able to handle a mountain prince like me.





3





For the next week I alternate between giddy excitement and nervous energy. Basically, I’m a helium balloon with no intention of bursting. I am thrilled to the max.

First Violet flies off to Prince Hunter of Cressia, because apparently the eldest sister is the one who gets to marry first—which I totally understand. I’m just a little jealous that she gets to be the first to pop her royal cherry.

And with Prince Hunter being her husband, I have no doubt a bad boy prince like him will easily get her into bed. Even though she’s so committed to resistance until her wedding night.

Once we get word that she married him, I prepare to leave for Alpinweiss.

And I have no doubt that I’ll soon be in my betrothed’s arms. I’m so ready to tackle whatever Prince Garrick of Alpinweiss has to throw my way.

I’m not an idiot. I know his reputation—you know, the one that mentions his scowl and his brooding eyes and his rough exterior?

I’m not the least bit scared. I’m not intimidated by a man who’s a bit reclusive.

I’m up for a challenge. And I have no doubt I’ll win him over.

I’ve even deleted every social media app from my phone. I don’t need that distraction anymore; I have an adventure waiting for me in Alpinweiss.

My father thought marrying Garrick might upset me, but that couldn’t be farther from the truth. Marrying a man in another country, with new traditions and customs, different food?

Bring it on.

“You’re not even the least bit scared that he’s going to be this big, burly jerk?” Dahlia asks as we pack my meager suitcase for the expedition across the world to meet my soon-to-be-husband.

“I wouldn’t use the word scared. I’m anxious—it’s all new, uncharted territory—but it’s like I’m an explorer.” I paint a picture with my hands, laughing as I explain. “This is like a safari, only better. There won’t be any wild animals, just a wild man getting his bride.”

I raise my shoulders in excitement and clap my hands together in determination.

“You are going to have sex with a virtual stranger. Isn’t that intimidating?”

“That’s the best part,” I laugh.

Dahlia grimaces, and I squeeze her shoulders. My little sister may be scared, but I’ve spent enough years touching myself in the shower, imagining a man who wanted to explore my body. I’m not scared of that part.

That’s the part that already has me clenching my thighs together in anticipation. Giving my husband my body is just part of the glamour of this arrangement.

I’m so ready to be someone’s woman. To let them discover all of me, and me all of them. I want a man who’s willing to teach me everything I want to know.

I hope my husband is ready to show me what it means to be a woman.