Prince Player(30)

Maybe I shouldn’t have tipped my hand like that, but I couldn’t help myself. The look on his face is almost worth it, actually. He clearly thought his little purity law thing was still some kind of secret, but the whole fucking castle knows. They aren’t talking about it out in the open, because everyone is afraid of Julian. They all worry that if he gets power, he’ll take revenge on people who didn’t support him.

And he could, of course. He can’t exactly jail people, but he can give them bad assignments, send them into distant provinces, take away titles, that sort of thing. Nobody wants to risk the wrath of a pissed off king.

But nobody wants these fucking purity laws, either, and I have to use that to my advantage.

“Unfortunately, you don’t know what you’re talking about. The rumors are unsubstantiated.”

“Maybe, but I think this rumor has some truth to it. What are you cooking up, Julian, and how did you convince my father?”

He hesitates for a second. “This country is in decline, or can’t you see it?”

“We’re richer than we’ve ever been. The people are thriving, or at least as much as we’re willing to let them.”

“Depravity everywhere, sin in the streets. Polovia used to be a moral bastion, the shining beacon of truth and enlightenment for all of Europe, but now we’ve lost that. I want to give that back to our people.”

I narrow my eyes and shake my head. “Sounds like bullshit. Just your way of fooling people into believing your fucked up agenda.”

“Think what you want, Prince Player,” he sneers. “But this marriage of yours won’t work. Your father agrees with me, and that’s all I need.”

I grunt, looking away. “We’ll see.”

“Yes, I think we will.” He nods to his stewards and they hurry off. I watch him go, trying to contain my fury.

That bastard really wants to bring this country back to the dark ages, but I’m not letting that happen.

I walk back to my apartment. Instead of getting into the shower, I head into Hazel’s room and get a drink from her refrigerator.

“What are you doing here?” she asks, coming from the bedroom.

I smirk at her. I’m annoyed and I want to work some of that off on her. I know I’m dripping wet right now, sweaty and not wearing many clothes. I step toward her, eyes sparkling. “Just came to see my wife,” I say.

She’s wearing a pair of cut-off jean shorts and a tank top. She smiles slightly but I notice the look she’s giving me. She’s looking at my body, and I know that she likes it.

“Well, I just finished my tutoring. Your mother wasn’t kidding when she said she’d help.”

“She doesn’t do anything halfway. I hope they’re not working you too hard.” I pause a second. “Since that’s my job,”

She rolls her eyes. “It’s fine. It’s a lot of work, but I’m picking it up. Knowing German helps.”

“I’m sure you’re a model student,” I say, watching her as she moves toward the kitchen. She’s so fucking gorgeous, and suddenly I’m almost overwhelmed with how badly I want her.

If that little run-in with Julian threw me off at all, being in the same room as Hazel fixes that immediately. It’s like she rights me, puts me back in my place, reminds me what I am. I’m not some pussy that’s going to roll over and let Julian do whatever the fuck he wants to the country that I love. I’m going to stand up to that piece of shit and stop him.

I follow Hazel into the kitchen. She opens the refrigerator and takes out a seltzer water, and when she turns around, I’m right there.

Her eyes are slightly wide. “Sorry,” she says, a little surprised to see me so close.

“Nothing to be sorry for,” I say softly. “I just wanted to ask you something.”

“What’s that?” she asks, looking up into my eyes. She doesn’t step away, and I notice that she’s breathing a little faster.

“How do you like your life as my wife so far?” I ask.

She shrugs a little bit. “Everyone is really nice to me.”

I smirk at her. “Of course they are. But are all of your needs taken care of?”

She hesitates. “I’m very comfortable,” she says.

I smirk at her and run my fingers through her hair, stopping to grab it in my fist. She gasps softly but doesn’t try to move.

“That’s not what I meant, princess,” I say. “You’re all alone in a strange country, married to a strange man. I want to make sure that you’re… happy.”

She stares at me for a second. I pull her closer and slowly kiss her full, soft lips.