Thirty-Five Prince Gluttony
T O AVOID ANYONE from my court or staff overhearing us, I had to wait until we reached the war room tower before Val could give me the full update.
Her closed-off expression let me know the news wasn’t good.
“How bad is it?”
“Here.” She handed me the missive she’d received. “Judge for yourself.”
Dragons are attacking their young.
Eggs broken in nests. Others torn apart.
Orders on how to proceed requested.
I raked a hand through my hair, cursing. It was unfathomable that they’d turned on their young. Ice dragons lived for a thousand years, but they only produced young every hundred years or so. My court would be in serious jeopardy if the next generation was lost, since the hunts were still the greatest way for me to stoke my sin and power.
A weak prince was a target for witches, Fae, vampires, shifters. My sinners could also align with another court, damaging me further.
I forced myself to go into that calm center, to think, to plot.
“I won’t risk anyone else getting attacked. Tell the hunters to stand down. Envy’s here for the competition. He and I will go out tonight once the suitors have retired for bed. We’ll round up any hatchlings we can find and bring them here to hand-raise until this mess is sorted out.”
More than a hundred years ago, I’d had a cave designed specifically to mimic a dragon’s nest built not far from the stables. I’d kept Sil and the others I’d raised there until they could hunt and track on their own. It was as close to a natural habitat as possible. And it would be perfect for now.
“Speaking of your brother…”
I raised my brows. “What now?”
“He caught Miss Saint Lucent in the dungeons.”
An overwhelming sense of dread swept through me. “Tell me she didn’t see Silvanus’s cell.”
“Afraid I can’t do that, Your Highness.”
I blew out a breath. “Have her meet me in my private study in thirty minutes.”
“There she is. The hellion of the hour.”
Adriana flashed me a scathing look as she entered my private study, immediately halting once she saw we weren’t alone. I’d called in reinforcements for our meeting.
Lust and Envy leaned against opposite ends of my desk, two perfect images of indifference, though that couldn’t be further from the truth. Envy had been on edge since he’d scared her from the dungeon. Adriana had come very close to uncovering our secret.
My brothers were all scheduled to arrive later tonight for the first part of the competition tomorrow morning, but I’d wanted Lust and Envy here for this meeting to hopefully encourage Adriana to behave for the duration of the competition.
Her little excursion into the dungeon was precisely why keeping her chained to my bed would be ideal. In all honesty, I hadn’t entirely ruled that out. The only thing stopping me from doing just that was the suitors. And the unexpected warmth the idea spread through me.
Cursed magic bond.
“I hear you’ve been exploring instead of working diligently on your column,” I said, watching her closely. “Did you encounter anything interesting?”
She pressed her lips into a hard line.
We both knew she’d stumbled across something very interesting. It was only a matter of time before she kept digging into the matter I was desperate to hide.
My gaze swept over her. I could magic her memory away to ensure my secrets remained hidden. I should magic her memory away, as my brothers had so kindly pointed out. It was the wise move for the realm. And yet I couldn’t quite bring myself to tamper with her mind.
Therefore, it was time for threats.
“Allow me to sate your overactive imagination,” I drawled. “What you witnessed will be a test that takes place at some point of the competition. As such, I expect you’ll keep it to yourself. I’d hate for your sister to be disqualified for interference.”
I motioned to my brothers.
“Since they have suitors in the competition and a vested interest in it being run fairly, they will be watching to ensure you don’t revert to your gossip-centered, stay scandalous ways.”
“If you didn’t wish for me to wander the castle, perhaps you ought to set rules.”
“As if you’d follow them.”
“I think we both know I’d follow them for the next… five weeks and five days.”
Lust and Envy hadn’t known about the blood oath, and while Adriana’s comment was seemingly innocent, they were well acquainted with how oaths of that nature worked.
Their heads whipped in my direction, their gazes blazing with incredulity.
I would never hear the end of it now.
I shot Adriana a frustrated look. For her part, she’d gone pale. She hadn’t meant to let that secret slip out, which went a long way toward thawing my ire.
I motioned to my brothers. “Leave us.”
They both flashed devious grins at Adriana but kept their opinions to themselves, knowing it was my court and I’d proceed how I wanted to with it.
Miss Saint Lucent rose from her chair as well, but I shook my head, and she sank back down. “Not you. We have a private matter to tend to.”
“I have nothing more to say to you, Your Highness.”
“You seem to have plenty to say. Even when you ought to remain silent. Why stop now?”
I pulled her chair back, then circled around her again, noting she’d straightened up in her seat, her chin notched a degree higher. Defiant. And brave.
I stopped before her, then leaned against the desk, enjoying the flare of annoyance coming from her as she quickly pieced together why I’d tugged her chair back.
I’d granted myself just enough space to sit in front of her, forcing her to look up at me.
“You need to play nicely, Adriana. Not everyone knows about our little bond. I’d prefer to keep it that way from now on.”
“Don’t call me by my first name. We’re not close.”
I motioned to the little space separating us. “I’d say we’re fairly close. Our previous night of debauchery notwithstanding.”
A pretty blush rose on her cheeks. Knowing her, it was from annoyance.
“I was unaware that walking around was offensive.”
“Walking is perfectly acceptable, and you know it. Snooping is quite the opposite.”
“Unbelievable. I was doing my best to avoid you and your ridiculous bridal hunt. The dungeon was the last place I’d expect to find you or a test; it’s not the height of romance.”
My lips twitched with amusement. She had me there.
“If you’re looking for an apology…”
I gave her one of my most charming smiles. I hadn’t been, but now that she’d offered…
“On your knees.”
Tension crackled in the space between us.
She looked me over, her gaze as frosty as the tundra. This woman would choke before she ever cowered before anyone due to rank or station. Not from pride, but from principle.
An admirable trait. Even if it pained me to admit it.
“No.”
“I’m your prince. That was a command.”
“You cannot force yourself upon me. Regardless of previous… mistakes.”
“Such filthy thoughts.” I smiled. “I want you groveling, Miss Saint Lucent. Now get on your knees.”
She held my gaze, her hatred glimmering and palpable as she slipped off her chair and slowly sank to her knees before me. I watched as she winced from the kiss of pain.
My private study had a solid limestone floor and no carpet to buffer her body from the hard, cold surface.
I stood there, arms crossed, holding her defiant glare. So different from the passion I’d seen the night before, the searing heat. My Lady Frost was anything but cold when it came to the bedroom. Too bad that version of her was gone.
Though the current female was remarkable.
Many hunters twice her size and brimming with violence from the moment they came screaming into this world would have dropped their attention from mine by now.
Most couldn’t maintain direct eye contact with a Prince of Sin for long—their innate sense of preservation kicking in, alerting them an apex predator had homed in on them.
Minutes slowly ticked by, silent and tense. Any one of the suitors or their managing mammas might knock at the door, hoping to gain favor, especially after our intimate high tea. It would cause quite the scene should they discover Adriana on her knees before me.
But I found I quite liked her there.
She wouldn’t apologize for spying unless ordered to. And I had no issue handing out orders. If she didn’t obey, she’d be punished.
As I took in the slight pressing of her legs together the longer she knelt before me, I had the oddest inkling that she might be amenable to certain tactics.
Well, will wonders never cease?
I didn’t think her reaction had anything to do with our bond.
I reached down, lightly tracing her jawline, slowly tilting her chin up.
Just as I suspected.
She didn’t bat my hand away, nor did she skewer me with her tongue. Hatred still burned red-hot in her eyes, but there was something new flickering there, too.
Something I recognized at once, even if she didn’t.
Most sinners in our circle were gluttons for punishment, and Miss Saint Lucent liked a hint of pain. More than she’d ever care to admit, especially to the likes of me. Regardless of how I’d made her feel on that rooftop garden when she didn’t know who I was.
I stroked her jaw, enjoying the domination, the control, the sensation of my callused fingertips tracing her petal-soft skin. My sin ignited, the power flowing through me in a delightful spark. Her eyes fluttered shut, the long, inky lashes resting peacefully against her cheeks. I had a very good idea of what she was fantasizing about.
When I told her to get on her knees, she’d accidentally given the truth away. Perhaps it was something she’d kept hidden even from herself, but it was our dirty secret to share now.
I ought to be worried about what she’d seen in the dungeon. I should be flirting with my suitors. Or combing through my scholars’ files on dragon illnesses now that I was certain the witches had played no part in my court’s perils. But here I stood, captivated.
I could blame being wholly engulfed on my sin, but it rang false.
“It must truly be terrible, Miss Saint Lucent.”
Her eyes shot open, her hands instantly curling into fists at her sides.
For a moment, she’d forgotten how much she despised me. I could practically see her private struggle to leash her curiosity, to force her attraction away. I understood.
No matter how much I couldn’t trust her, no matter how much trouble she’d caused me throughout the years, I still craved her. It used to be a secret fantasy I barely acknowledged.
“What is?”
“Wanting to wrap those perfect lips around my cock, hating me as you do.” I pressed my thumb into her mouth, her lips parting almost eagerly at the intrusion. “I wanted you on your knees to apologize, nothing more.”
When she didn’t bite down, I pumped it slowly in and out, watching as she tried once more to squeeze her legs together while kneeling. Saints curse me. She was something.
“As I recall, you said you wouldn’t be attracted, magic bond or not.”
Her tongue swept over the tip of my thumb before she sucked it harder, and I felt the corresponding tug deep in me. My cock hardened.
Indeed, Miss Saint Lucent had a filthy little secret, too. One I couldn’t stop myself from indulging in, no matter how foolish it was while the competition raged on in the press.
If anyone walked in now, with my trousers tented and my thumb pumping into her mouth, there would be little I could say that would make it seem innocent.
Part of me didn’t care. Our time at the Seven Sins had ended, but that didn’t stop this insufferable craving we shared.
She wanted to take me down her throat and I wanted to indulge her desire.
Given my reputation, a little deviance would be expected. But being caught with Adriana after our public war would certainly overshadow the competition in the scandal sheets.
Still, as she continued to take my thumb in her warm mouth, I longed to unfasten my trousers and give her exactly what she and I both wanted, consequences be damned.
I reined in my own attraction, denying us both our interlude.
“Each time you defy me in public, you’ll be punished in private.”
Her velvet tongue flattened, welcoming my thumb deeper.
“And I think you might enjoy it as much as I will.”
I wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d submitted fully. She wanted to bring me to my knees too. Get me as aroused as she was. But I was in control now. Just as I’d always be.
I played a little longer, then pulled free, watching her reaction carefully.
There was one more secret I’d like to unravel about this rival of mine. What she’d choose would tell me everything I needed to know about how to keep her close.
“I’m offering you a choice of punishment for today’s little excursion. Choose to have me spank you. Or remain on your knees until dawn.”