The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] (7 page)

He and Mathis had survived, but death continued to threaten their kingdoms. Talin would do whatever was necessary to protect it all.

With the help of a maid Talin had sent, Nadia prepared to dress for dinner.

She'd chosen the simplest gown from the selection inside the trunk, and she still thought she was overdressed. Her dresses had always been serviceable cottons and poplins, intended for comfort and endurance rather than beauty.

Tonight she was dressed in a rich silk, which was the color of the sun. She'd never dressed in yellow before, but she'd chosen the dress because of its simplicity. The only adornment was a small line of ivory lace at her hem and wrists.

The skirts swished when she walked, and the fabric felt decadent upon her skin.

"This color looks perfect on you,” the maid remarked as she dressed her hair. “With your black hair, and those glorious eyes, you will catch the attention of every man present!"

Nadia preferred to ignore the maid's prediction. The last thing she wanted was the attention of men.

She glanced at her reflection in the looking glass and tugged at the bodice of the dress. “Are you absolutely sure it fits?"

She was quite a bit more well-endowed than the late queen. She feared that any moment she was going to burst out of the bodice.

The maid shooed Nadia's hands away for what had to be the twelfth time. “Just keep your head up and your shoulders straight and you will be fine. If you slouch, you will cause quite the distraction."

The maid's eyes met Nadia's in the mirror. “Unless that is your intention? Have you set your eyes on a certain young man?"

Nadia blushed. She couldn't seem to stop doing so. “I merely lost a bet and have to appear at supper tonight in a dress."

The thought made her want to groan out loud.

The maid smiled and continued to dress her hair.

In no time at all, the maid had created a masterpiece of wavy curls that fell to Nadia's waist. The sides had been pulled back from her face and held with pearl encrusted combs, which had also been borrowed from the late queen's belongings. They perfectly matched the pearl earbobs that dangled from her ears.

Nadia stood and examined her image from all angles.

The dress clung to her curves, emphasizing her trim waist. Her hair, easily her most notable feature, had been brushed until it crackled.

When she joined the army, Nadia had debated cutting it to a more serviceable length but couldn't bring herself to do it. The long length of ebony hair was her only concession to vanity and femininity. Now she was glad she'd chosen to keep it.

It looked quite lovely.

Turning away from the mirror, she held out trembling hands. “How do I look?"

"Oh, miss!” The maid clasped her hands to her bosom. “You look beautiful!"

Nadia nodded but still chewed her bottom lip.

Soon it was time to go.

The maid escorted her most of the way to the palace. Hugh and her father had gone ahead, so after she thanked the maid for her help, she made the remainder of the trip on her own.

She reached the great hall precisely four minutes before eight. The heels of her borrowed shoes clicked on the marble tiles as she clutched the skirts to keep them above her ankles and hurried to the designated meeting spot.

Mathis’ broad back was to her when she arrived, but he turned at the sound of her approach. Her steps faltered when she saw his face.

He gaped, his expression clearly astonished. Mathis was dressed in formal attire, a sash of purple signifying his rank across his chest.

He was so handsome, and for some reason he desired
her
company.

A prince.
She mustn't forget he was a prince and out of reach. Nadia made a mental note to keep reminding herself of that before she fell completely head over heels.

She coughed to clear her suddenly dry throat. “Has everyone else already gone in?"

He stepped forward and took her hand. “You look ravishing."

With tenderness, he lifted a curl that lay over her shoulder. “I'd wondered what your hair looked like unbound, and my fantasies were nothing compared to the real thing."

He'd fantasized about her?

Nadia tried not to be flattered but failed miserably. “Shall we go in?"

"Of course.” Mathis took her arm and turned her away from the formal dining hall. “We shall sup in private."

Had he not taken hold of her elbow, she would have stumbled. “Pardon?"

"As enchanting as you look tonight, I knew you would be uncomfortable being the center of attention. We shall take supper in the private dining room and then join the others for tonight's festivities. I hear there are to be fireworks."

"So you and I will eat
alone
?” A shiver tickled down her spine.

His mocking gaze was anything but innocent. “Unless you prefer to join the others?"

Nadia shook her head quickly. “No, it is fine."

She was grateful for the small reprieve. She may look her best, but some at court would wonder at her sudden transformation and correctly ascertain the visiting prince was the cause for it.

She did not want speculation to begin.

The prince to lead her down a side hall. Her steps were hesitant as she forced herself not to bite her lower lip again. The richly appointed hall was unfamiliar. She had not been in this area before, despite her numerous visits to the castle.

"Here we are.” The prince gestured that she should precede him into the room.

She stepped inside and gazed about with wonder. They were in one of Prince Talin's private dining rooms.

The room was small but expensively furnished. Rich, dark wood and velvet curtains muted the light and made the room cozy. The soft light of dozens of candles painted the space with a golden glow.

It was a scene for a seduction.

Nadia narrowed her eyes and then glared over her shoulder at the prince.

He acted as if he didn't notice as he moved forward to draw out a chair from an undersized table. “Please sit."

Her skirts swished as she stomped forward and plopped into the chair. “Thank you, Your Highness,” she said through gritted teeth.

He took a seat across from her. She shifted as she became more and more uncomfortable. Merely a glowing candelabrum and their place settings separated them.

The prince lifted a crystal wine glass and eyed her over the rim. “Don't be nervous."

"I'm not.” She picked up her own glass and took a large gulp.

His eyes crinkled at the corners as he continued to watch her. “I've prearranged several dishes I think you might like. The cook is quite exasperated with me."

Why did he go to all of this trouble for her?

Nadia sipped again from her wine glass. What did he want?

Two servants entered and delivered the first course, an artful arrangement of what looked to Nadia like the equivalent of two tiny bites of food. It was quickly followed by another, as mouthwatering and diminutive as the first.

A seven course meal. She would be trapped with him for an eternity.

They ate mostly in silence. The clink of silverware, and the sound of chewing were the only sounds.

As they lingered over dessert, a luscious fruit custard topped with cream, he began to interrogate her. “Why did you become a soldier?"

It was a familiar subject.

She put down her fork and folded her hands in her lap. “I'd lost my brother to the war, so there was a need to avenge his death, but I've always wanted to be a solder. I suppose it's in my blood."

His blue eyes clouded with sympathy. “I was sorry to hear about Lance."

She waved aside his comment. “It's been many years."

"But it's hard to get beyond losing a loved one.” His face twisted with remembered pain.

"Your parents,” she guessed.

He nodded. “With my mother, her death was expected. We had a chance to savor our time together. But my father's death came as such a shock."

His blue eyes warmed as he studied her. “My father would have been proud of you. Sir Collin was always his favorite knight."

Her lips curved into a smile. “My father tried his best to convince me not to be a soldier."

"It couldn't have been easy, even with Collin as your father."

"No, it hasn't."

She would not unburden herself to him. He would never be able to understand the constant struggles, being forced again and again to prove she was as good as any man, and the anger directed at her when she succeeded.

Mathis’ lean fingers caressed the stem of his wineglass.

Her eyes were drawn to the movement. She realized she wanted to feel his hands on her body again, and the thought both enflamed and mortified her.

He lifted the glass to his lips, and she studied the motion of his throat as he swallowed. The moment grew sensual.

Does he feel it too
?

"My brother's fiancee should arrive tomorrow."

Nadia's gaze flew to his face.

She did a quick mental calculation, and it was indeed less than a week until the wedding. She had lost track of the days.

Once the princess arrived, Nadia would be busy making sure that the festivities went off without a hitch. She would also be in charge of securing the palace to make sure that unwanted guests did not arrive.

She nodded and gave him a curious look. “Yes, the duke as well."

Mathis’ jaw tightened, and his fingers flexed on the stem of the wineglass. It was in danger of snapping off completely.

She hesitated before speaking. “You do not like him."

His eyes held a storm of carefully controlled emotion. “He is the man responsible for my father's death."

"How can you be so sure?” She was surprised he confided his suspicions to her.

His eyes flashed blue fire. “Roarke is certainly capable of treachery, and there have too many witnesses to disregard it as mere rumor."

Nadia had not been at N'ior when Roarke had arrived years before to ally himself with the late king. Her father had written to her about the man though, and his words had not been favorable. Yet now Collin refused to speak of Roarke other than as it pertained to preparations for the wedding.

It was all quite odd.

She took a final sip from her wineglass and set it aside. “Your brother does not share your views."

Mathis’ face remained blank, but his eyes again revealed his turmoil. “I have not yet deduced what my brother is about."

"So you think he has concocted a secret plot?"

"Let's hope not,” Mathis replied grimly. “For all our sakes."

They finished their dessert, and Mathis escorted her to the gardens where the fireworks display was scheduled. He found a secluded spot near the edge of the garden, and they waited for the festivities to begin.

Nadia shivered as she recalled the night before, and how it had felt to be in his arms.

"Cold?” The prince's hands came up to caress her arms.

Through the silk of the gown, she could feel the warmth that emanated from him. After a moment's hesitation, she sighed and allowed him the familiarity.

"Look, it has begun.” He turned her in his arms and pulled her against him, wrapping his arms around her waist. His breath ruffled the curls at her temple.

Nadia sank into him, relishing the feel of his strong body behind her. She could hear the
oohs
and
aahs
from others in the garden, yet nothing could be more spectacular than the man who held her. She watched the fireworks with detached interest, choosing instead to savor her last moments with the prince. After tonight, she had to end this farce. The best she could hope for was to become his mistress, but if she did, her career would be destroyed. No man would take orders from her if he thought she was a whore. But she would allow herself this one night. One night to feel like a desirable woman.

Then she would return to reality.

The fireworks ended, and the voices began to fade as the crowd moved back inside, probably to continue dancing. She and Mathis were left alone in the garden. When he turned her in his arms, her breath caught. Moonlight streamed across his face, highlighting his elegant cheekbones and the regal slant of his nose. A hint of shadow had appeared on the line of his jaw. She traced it with her fingertips, smiling when it tickled her.

"Do you have any idea how beautiful you are?” His soft, whispered words lingered in the night air.

She certainly felt beautiful for the first time in her life. He was going to kiss her. She was sure of it. Should she let him? Or should she end it now? She chose to have the memory of one kiss to suffice for a lifetime.

"Nadia.” Mathis spoke her name with reverence. He cradled her face and lowered his head, taking her lips in a gentle kiss. He wooed her and went slowly, carefully placing kisses at the corner of her lips.

She let out a breath, and he pressed further, completely covering her lips with his own. Her entire being coalesced into the kiss.

His tongue stroked, caressed, and then surged into her mouth to tangle with hers.

She had no idea what she was doing, but it felt good. She mimicked his actions, delighting when he moaned deep in his throat.

Mathis pulled away, but she grabbed his head between her hands and brought his lips back to hers. She was not ready to let him go. If this kiss was all she would ever have, she needed more.

Something must have snapped inside him, for suddenly his hands were everywhere.

She gasped when he cupped her buttocks, bringing her flush against his hardened length. He pressed forward, his arousal nudging the space between her thighs. Still he kissed her, his tongue caressing her mouth until they paused to catch their breath.

"Nadia, my love, I fear we must stop."

She knew he was right, but she ached to kiss him again. Her stomach tingled with unfamiliar sensations.

She put a hand against her belly as if to calm the fluttering. “I should go."

He continued to hold her. His chest heaved as if he struggled to regain a normal pattern of breathing.

Air rattled in and out of her lungs as well. She felt as if she'd run a mile instead of merely kissing a prince.