The Perfect Prince (6 page)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nadja.

 

The name rolled pleasantly in his brain. It was a good name, a pretty name, a respectable name, and it suited the dignified beauty before him exceedingly well. As her voice gained control, he was pleased to find her naturally soft spoken. Her unpretentious voice was low and sensual and coiled around him in feminine influence. It was a fine contrast to the harsher voices of his fellow Qurilixian. It was a voice he would gladly spend his days and nights listening to. It was a voice he would love hearing shout out his name in passion. He found he wanted to ask her questions just to hear her answer them in her sultry siren’s tone.

 

He didn’t have to ask. Her lips parted and she spoke to him freely with a question of her own.

 

“Are you a farmer, or perhaps a miner?” Nadja asked, looking over his physique.

 

Nadja had met many Princes and his body wasn’t of a pampered Prince or nobleman. For that she was glad. Olek was confused by the relevance of her question. He shook his head, prompting her to say, “Then, what do you do for a living?” Olek smiled, staying quiet. He thought it was a sensible question, and admired it while still wishing her thinking wasn’t so logical. Closing his eyes, he imagined his tongue bathing in wine as he drank from her flushed, pale skin. He almost groaned with the idea of it.

 

“Oh, sorry, I forgot you can’t converse yet,” Nadja said with a frustrated sigh.

 

“That makes this rather difficult, doesn’t it?” Olek merely smiled. It wasn’t supposed to be a light decision and he was glad she didn’t take it as such. Maybe she would drink from his flesh. He wondered how those lips would feel wrapping around his arousal, sucking liquor from him with her hot mouth.

 

Nadja sighed louder. She was completely unaware of his erotic thoughts. Biting her lips, she said, “All right, let’s try this another way. Are you a working man?” Again an irritatingly beautiful smile met her question. His teeth were straight and white. Seeing her attention to his mouth, Olek let his tongue slide over the edge. Oh, but the distance between their flesh was driving him mad. His hips tensed. Maybe after she drank from him, he could get her to ride him hard like she was breaking in a new ceffyl.

 

He’d even let her tie him up if she wanted, completing the fantasy. He’d bet his crown those long legs of hers could restrain him.

 

Nadja shivered and shook herself. His look only heated more intensely.

 

“I’ll tell you right now, I want a working man. Are you one?” she insisted. Relief overwhelmed her when he nodded his head. At least he wasn’t a Prince.

 

Olek stepped forward watching the subtle curving of her body. If his mind didn’t stop drawing pictures of her, he’d attack. Her eyes came around to him, holding him back with their blue force. She wasn’t finished.

 

Swallowing, Nadja said, “I won’t lie to you or try to trick you. I’ll work hard--by your side if I have to. I don’t have girlish notions of what this marriage is to be about. I don’t expect us to be in love and I don’t expect you to tell me you love me. In fact, I would prefer it if you respected me enough not to try and placate me with such sentiments.”

 

Olek watched her quietly, not showing any emotion as he took in every word. His gaze remained as sizzling as molten lava.

 

“I do expect loyalty and honesty,” Nadja continued, heartened by his silence and patient listening. “And I’ll give you the same courtesy in return. I believe this could be a great partnership.”

 

When she paused to look at him, Olek nodded once, urging her to finish. His eyes bore into her with a piercing fire that curled her toes and made her stomach ache in an all too unusual way.

 

“I suppose you’ll want children?”

 

Olek didn’t like the practical, uniform way the words came out of her mouth. He nodded in answer anyway. His eyes dipped to her slender hips and to the unfairly seductive pose they were in. Her legs were spread just enough that he could run his finger between her thighs to test her softness, her wetness, her feminine heat. He tried not to groan. “Fine,” Nadja agreed, unnerved with his continued staring. He was eyeing her like he wanted to procreate at that very moment. “I shouldn’t mind children … in time. But, not right away.”

 

Again, Olek nodded. What did he care? He wasn’t thinking of children, just practicing the making of them. He knew that nothing could come of them tonight.

 

Because of their laws, climax couldn’t be reached. However, he was a glutton for punishment and he would gladly spend the night torturing them both.

 

“As to,” Nadja paused unable to hide her blush, as she motioned to the bed. “As to us being together, I think we should wait until we are better acquainted.” Olek frowned, his jaw lifting in surprise. Subtly sniffing the air, he could smell the lingering hints of her desire for him. If he was forced to smell that every day, there was no way he was going to wait to claim her. He would go mad. His loins tightened in instant protest to the idea of denial. He was a man of refinement and infinite patience, but even a saint would crumble under such torture.

 

“I’m not saying I won’t marry you. I just don’t want to … to … to copulate just yet,” Nadja explained, proud of her diplomatic choice of words. “Besides, if we are to have children later, then there is no need to do it now.” Olek’s frown deepened. His arms crossed boldly over his chest. He hoped she was finished. He couldn’t take much more of her nervous logic. Already, he could tell she was inexperienced in the ways of men and assumed that is why her words were so frustratingly clinical.

 

“So, those are my terms. If you agree to them, step forward and I’ll remove the mask. If not, stay there and I’ll be happy to leave,” Nadja finished. She didn’t have to wait long before he took a confident step forward and then another. His arms stayed crossed, but his eyes seemed to devour her face with their fervor. It was the same as having a thousand fingers touching her skin at once.

 

Olek didn’t like her last stipulation. But, as he saw the glaring loophole in her demands, he decided to accept it. He would just have to make it torture for her until she begged him for his … copulation.

 

“Oh,” Nadja breathed when he stopped before her. He stood proud and unmoving.

 

Breathlessly, she whispered, “All right, you’ve decided already.”

 

“Choose.” The words came out like a command.

 

Nadja bit her lip. Her eyes rose up to study his face. Her fingers shook as she reached out to touch the leather of his mask. Gulping, she began to untie the straps at the side. Her hands brushed his braided hair and she paused.

 

“You’re sure then?” she asked in a winded murmur.

 

Olek’s dark eyes glistened like the surface of glassy water, deceptively hiding a deep undercurrent below. Only then did she see the soft glow of the crystal about his neck. It seemed to get brighter the closer he came to her. His mouth pressed together in a harsh line, as he again said, “Choose.”

 

“All right, Olek,” Nadja said. Finishing the task, she pulled the string. The glow of the crystal reflected off her hands with its white light. The mask slid to the side unveiling a face more handsome than she could have pictured in her mind. His nose was strong and straight. His brow the sculptured perfection of a man well made. He had the high, proud cheekbones of his people, but his deep-set eyes were what held her. They didn’t change from their green depths, as she looked into them. “I choose you.” Olek’s mouth curled with mischievous humor. The mask dropped from her fingers at the look before she could even draw them away. It fell against his shoulder before sliding to the floor.

 

“Hi,” Nadja murmured weakly. She tried to smile and failed miserably.

 

“Hello, Nadja,” Olek returned, lifting to cup her cheek. His voice was strong and so confident in his rolling Qurilixian accent. It sent shivers over her skin.

 

“I think tradition says we have to talk,” she said, trying to act cool. She attempted to pull away but her body refused to move from him. Her treacherous flesh wanted to stay and find out more about his touches and heated looks. Inside her stomach swam with the knowledge of what she had done. In one little act, she had married herself to a complete--

 

albeit incredibly handsome--stranger.

 

“No,” Olek corrected. “Tradition is that we must discover each other.” 

 

“Yeah,” she agreed with a nod. “Talk.”

 

“No, discover,” he corrected.

 

“So we talk,” Nadja wasn’t sure she liked the suddenly dominant way his brow rose on his forehead. “As in converse.”

 

“It’s my people’s tradition, Nadja.” Olek smiled. It was a wicked look, full of masculine determination and authority. He leaned forward to tower over her. “I think I know what it is. We are to discover each other. We are to learn each other. We are to reveal ourselves completely.”

 

Nadja, tall for a woman, wasn’t used to being towered over. Olek’s eyes dipped purposefully over her dress, consuming her with his heated gaze. Nadja stiffened in fear.

 

She was in for a long night of trouble.

 

* * * *

 

“My King,” a blonde haired soldier said, as he came through the forest of colossal trees. The torches didn’t reach this part of grounds, but the moon shone bright to light the way in a blue glow. The man stuck his hand over his heart and bowed. He was dressed as a servant, but his eyes looked around with cunning. “All the Princes have found brides.” The man he addressed stepped forward into the light, his eyes giving chills to those who obeyed him. By looking at his face, it was impossible to determine his age. His body was young and healthy. His eyes appeared as old as the stars.

“Very good,” the blonde King said, smiling a cruel smile. “Let us wait until they are bonded completely. Only then can we assure the end of their line. Once those Draigs lose their mates they will be done. The new Princesses will die, starting with the oldest son’s bride. The line of the Draig rule will be ended and the Var will once more be the only force in this land.”

 

The blonde warrior smiled. As he watched, the King rolled his neck on his shoulders as he shifted into a more natural form. Hair grew to cover his face and body, claws formed on his hands. His mouth elongated, gnashing with sharpened fangs. When he looked back it was through the eyes of a wild cat. His voice crackled in low, deliberate tones in the back of his throat. Growling, he ordered, “Go.” The King watched the spy take off before turning to run swiftly into the forest, disappearing completely as he blurred into the trees.

 

* * * *

 

“Stay back,” Nadja warned, holding out her hand. “You don’t have to do this, Olek. I am pleased by you, very pleased.”

“I’m glad to hear it,” Olek smirked, his face radiating with confidence.

 

Now that the mask was off, Nadja could see that his green gaze held much humor in its depths. Was he laughing at her?

 

Olek let his eyes travel her uninhibited. “But I wish to see if I am as pleased by you. Take off that gown. I want to look at you.” Nadja glanced at the mask, wishing she could put it back on. This man was too handsome for her. Whatever had possessed her to consider him? She wanted a fat, short, old doctor with a sweet temperament and little sexual prowess. Why ever did she suddenly raise her standards? She must have been temporarily insane!

 

It’s all that wine I drank at dinner, she thought suddenly. The crystal pulsed, causing a wave of emotion to flood her system. And that damned rock!

 

“No, you agreed,” Nadja sputtered, clutching the gown to her chest.

 

“I agreed no copulation, wife,” Olek answered with a grin that heated her cheeks to flaming. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t finish this night as it was meant to be finished. Or do you wish for me to call the council elders for clarification?” Nadja considered that. What was her other alternative? She didn’t want to have to go back. She couldn’t risk her father finding her. She was well aware of what he was capable of. Swallowing, she asked apprehensively, “You just want to look? That’s all?” Olek’s nostrils flared in excitement. “Yes, let me look, for now.”

 

“You … you won’t touch me?” Nadja tried to take a calming breath. She didn’t believe she was considering doing it. She thought of her father and steeled her nerves.

 

She had to do it.

 

Oh, but this is going to be sweet torment, Olek thought, part in anticipation and part in agony.

 

“Not until you touch me first,” he promised.

 

Nadja swallowed in relief. That wouldn’t be so hard. She had no intention of going to him. But, as his eyes lit with challenge and mischief, she grew worried. What did this barbarian have in mind?

 

“No tricks?” Nadja persisted, trying to stall.

 

“Would you like me to help you undress?” he offered, smirking with an arrogance that made her knees weak.

 

Nadja’s mouth opened, but no sound came out. Instead, she furiously shook her head. Swallowing, she looked around.

 

“Where?” she asked, beginning to shake terribly. “Here?”

 

“Anywhere you wish.” Olek didn’t relent and he didn’t back away. It would be good to get this shyness out of the way. He didn’t want his wife afraid of him. He would just have to prove to her that he could be trusted with her body, as well as her spirit.