Stealing His Princess (Kings of Conquest #2) - Adelaide Forrest Page 0,15

discreet, but he was no virgin. Most male royals were told to follow protocol when out in the open, but we were not expected to keep ourselves pure until we were in the bonds of marriage.

The confirmation that Bristol was untouched only threatened to set my blood on fire with the need to take what wasn't mine to claim. To stain my sheets with her blood and mark myself on her body permanently. Even if I couldn't keep her, she'd always feel my claim on her body.

I couldn't answer for fear that I would confirm my desire to be different from the others. That I'd tell her all of my desires and wrap her in my arms and fuck her until she screamed my name for all to hear. I turned on my heel, pulling my arm from her grip so harshly that I heard the scraping sound of her nails touching her palm as it closed into a fist. Making my way to the doors, I left her behind me and went toward the safety of the crowd.

Being alone with Bristol had been a mistake, one of epic proportions that I feared I would never escape the consequences of. With the way a single kiss from her had stamped her into my very being, I couldn't deny the pulsing need for her within me.

I made my way through the ballroom, nodding politely to anyone who caught my eye, even though I wanted to storm upstairs to my room and ride out the rest of the week. Waiting for the sound of the doors slamming shut behind me felt like agony.

When they did not too long after I had departed, I was startled at her lack of discretion. She didn't seem to care that for us to be seen together could lend credit to any claims if we were to have been seen. She gave zero shits about what it may mean for her reputation as she stalked towards me from across the ballroom.

I downed a scotch I’d snatched off a passing tray, pausing near the door to the gardens at the edge of the room. Well within sight of all the dancers, but not so close that we might be overheard, since she seemed to be itching for a fight with me. As I watched her stalk ever closer, I cursed the alcohol for failing to burn the taste of her from my throat.

I turned just as Bristol stepped into my view and took a glass of champagne from a passing waitress. Though her eyes still sparked from anger, the smile she gave the server was warm and friendly. More than I could ever hope to achieve.

She stepped up to me and took a big gulp of wine before throwing me an arched look. “We’re not finished.”

"We are.” I was hyper aware that I treaded very dangerous ground. “Are you out of your fucking mind?" I murmured to her, glancing around the room to be sure nobody paid us any mind. Holden himself was nowhere in sight, off socializing with any number of his other allies to speak trade or business. Or perhaps, if we were lucky, he'd already retreated for the night.

After all, the purpose of events like tonight’s ball was sure to hold very little interest for a man who already knew who his bride would be.

"I have a say on when we are through, and I say we’re not. Now if you would rather do this in a more public setting, then I am more than happy to oblige you. But do not dare to walk away from me," she warned, her down-turned mouth twisting in displeasure. "I am not a problem you can ignore, King Aric," she mocked.

"What does that mean?"

"I might be inexperienced, but I am no fool. I am woman enough to understand your reaction to being near me. Don’t pretend that you did not want that kiss. A man with control like yours never would have allowed it to happen if you didn't want it desperately," she said, her lips twisting into an arrogant smirk. The siren knew she had me trapped, knew that I dangled at the end of her line and all she had to do was reel me in.

"In all my thoughts of you, I never thought you would be so callous, Princess. Using me to feel something. Toying with the emotions you can sense, just so you can experience what it is like to be touched. You speak