The Princes Determined Read online

  She lifted her chin and leveled a glare on him. “I do not need, nor want, your protection.”

  His lips curved in the briefest of smiles. “Nevertheless, you shall have it.”

  “You only want to marry me because of my father.”

  He did not deny it. “Yes, that is one of the reasons.”

  It was left unsaid the marriage would be one way for the prince to get back at her father for the alleged murder of the king.

  It was such a tangle. The one blessing that kept her sane was the companionship of her ladies, Judith and Mert. Now their solace was to be taken from her.

  She clutched her blanket to her chin and stared at the ceiling. “It is ill-mannered of you to send away my ladies.”

  The sound of his soft chuckle floated in the air. “And it was ill-mannered of you, my lady, to flee me.”

  She refused to rise to his bait. He did it on purpose, damn him. He must enjoy irritating her.

  “I shouldn’t have to flee. You should let me go. My father is not here. There is no hope of a treaty now.”

  He remained silent. She turned her head to glance at him. He still lay upon a mound of pillows with his arms behind his head, but the look on his face arrested her.

  He’d let his guard down. For once, he did not resemble the playboy prince he portrayed more often than not. He appeared to be a man faced with demons she couldn’t begin to name.

  The look on his face haunted her, for it resembled a face she saw every time she looked in a mirror.

  “Rowena.” His voice was low, but it had the same effect as if he had shouted her name. “It may not seem this way to you, but my actions will serve a far greater purpose than either of us can hope to achieve alone.”

  Her mouth fell open.

  Did he suspect? How could he? She’d been so careful. No one knew. Not even her sister.

  Especially not her sister. No one knew the lengths she would go to protect Sara and herself. She would do whatever it took to break free of their father. Marriage to the prince seemed like an answer, but until she was convinced the prince was not the same as her father, she would not tie herself to him. She would not jump from a boiling kettle into a fire.

  She struggled to reassert herself. “What do you know of my hopes?”

  His face cleared, and he was once again the playboy prince. He smiled slowly. “I know more than you think.”

  She came here prepared to hate him. She wanted to hate him.

  She may as well ask for the moon to turn green, for once she’d met Talin she’d felt many things, but hate was not one of them.

  She’d tried her best. She’d fought him at every turn. Hell, she’d even bribed someone to slip him a mixture of herbs to prevent the wedding! But nothing changed the fact he was easily the most handsome, insightful, unforgettable man she’d ever met.

  She sat up and tossed aside her blanket. “What do you hope to achieve?”

  His dark blue eyes swung toward her. His mouth tightened almost imperceptibly. He studied her for several long moments and finally shook his head. “I’m sorry. Now is not the time.”

  “You don’t trust me.”

  It shouldn’t pain her. She was the daughter of Roarke of Bevelaire after all, who had to be the most untrustworthy man in the world. Yet it did.

  “Marry me, Rowena, and I will confide all to you.”

  She shook her head. “I will not be bribed.”

  He sighed heavily. “I do not wish to bribe you.”

  For a moment she had believed he would confide in her, that they could find a way to aid each other’s endeavors.

  It was not to be. At least, not yet.

  She unconsciously lifted a thumb to her mouth and ran her nail against her lip. It was a nervous gesture, one she’d acquired in childhood.

  She realized what she was doing and dropped her hand. She glanced up to see Talin’s impenetrable gaze was still upon her.

  He dropped his eyes to her mouth as she anxiously wet her lips with her tongue. A muscle flexed in his cheek as he watched her. She was hypnotized by the moment, as if some invisible string pulled her forward.

  It was not difficult to understand how he’d seduced countless legions of women. There was something about him, an undeniable aura that drew her like a moth to the flame.

  Overtly sexual, devastatingly attractive, and in a position of power. The prince was a lethal combination.

  She’d never stood a chance against him.

  “Rowena.”

  There it was again, her name on his lips. The way he said it, the lilt of his voice as his mouth formed the words, almost brought her to her knees.

  “Yes?”

  His lips tilted into a sexy grin. “Go to sleep.”

  She narrowed her eyes. The rogue!

  He’d known all along what he was doing to her and now he was going to ignore her? Well, two could most certainly play this game.

  Chapter 2

  For ten years, ever since his father had been slain in battle, Talin had ruled Noventia. It had not been easy for him or his brother, who was the prince of Isidor. But with the damnable rebellions these recent months, and Roarke’s sudden disappearance, the golden age of his rule was threatened by an unnamed enemy.

  The rebels had long been dissatisfied, ever since the land of Novent had been split in half as proclaimed by the old king. Many argued that the kingdom should’ve remained as it was, but the king had been quite specific that each of his sons would inherit a half portion of his lands. Talin’s portion became Noventia. His younger brother, Mathis, gained control of Isidor.

  Almost a year ago the uprisings turned deadlier in nature. His soldiers had fended off attacks from their northern borders for several months now. Even Isidor was being threatened. Information poured in from around the countryside that the rebels were spotted moving to the west.

  His short-lived treaty with Roarke of Bevelaire temporarily halted the raids within his kingdom. Now that Roarke had disappeared, tales spread that the rebels would again turn their attention to Noventia.

  If any comfort was to be found in this, it was that his brother’s kingdom was safe … for now.

  Talin knew this would not always be so. Thankfully, Isidor was now in the hands of both his capable brother and Nadia, one of the best soldiers he’d ever known and his brother’s new bride.

  The thought of his brother and his happiness served to bring home the fact that Talin was not so lucky in love. His bride was quite beautiful, true, but she was also a handful. He admired her spirit, and her fortitude was equal to that of any man.

  Unfortunately, she did not look so favorably upon him. Theirs would not be an easy union. He had resigned himself to that fate months ago when he traveled to Bevelaire to sign the betrothal papers. She had been at N’ior over five weeks and showed no sign of warming to him.

  From his vantage point at the window of his throne room, he watched as Lady Rowena strolled through the gardens. She was escorted by several ladies of his choosing and by a young recruit, Hugh d’Arcy, grandson to his chief advisor, Collin.

  Though not yet eighteen, the lad showed promise. He’d been trained not only by Collin, but also by his aunt Nadia. In a few weeks, he would be knighted, a grand honor for one so young. Noventia had been guarded by military forces for several decades, but a knighthood guaranteed the lad’s position in the Noventian army for many years to come.

  Talin watched as the youthful d’Arcy plucked a rose and presented the flower to Lady Rowena.

  She threw back her head and laughed, the tinkling sound audible through the stone and mullioned windows. Rowena’s hair was unbound, and the golden curls streamed to her waist and clung to her shapely backside.

  Talin felt an uncomfortable spurt of jealousy. She was his intended bride, and she had yet to laugh around him in such a manner.

  He was at his wit’s end trying to woo her. Nothing he did made a bit of difference. He’d tried courtly gallantry. She’d ignored him. He was cool and
indifferent. She responded like-wise.

  He’d even once made an effort to press a kiss on her. Her reaction had been to hire a young man to poison him. Not a deadly poison, of course, but a potion guaranteed to turn his bowels inside out. Thankfully, the plot was uncovered by Nadia, ever quick on her feet.

  Talin turned away from the window. His advisors were huddled in the center of the room and spoke in quiet murmurs. He observed them for several moments before he walked over to join them.

  Collin, his oldest and most trusted advisor, was the first to speak. “Have you decided, Your Highness?”

  Talin confirmed with a nod. “We will send soldiers to Bevelaire to seek out Roarke. If he is hiding there, we will find him.”

  Michael, a former clergyman who had been appointed advisor a year prior, put forth his own question. “And as for the rebels, my lord?”

  Talin hesitated. This was not an easy decision to make.

  “For ten years, I’ve striven for peace and prosperity for this kingdom. My subjects witnessed far too much bloodshed during my father’s reign.”

  Though he knew the situation had been beyond his father’s control, Talin hoped to not follow in his footsteps. Unfortunately, it was not destined to be so.

  “But I cannot continue to ignore the threat the rebels pose. Send a troop to Wainswright as well. If the rebels want a war, war they will have.”

  A chorus of voices rang out. The majority favored declaring war on the rebels. Many of the younger advisors, including Michael, called for peace.

  The prince raised his voice to be heard. “I wish I could offer peace, but I’ve waited long enough. Too many innocent lives are being taken, and the uprising has to be quelled now before it causes strife throughout the kingdom.”

  “But, my lord, we are not prepared for a war!” Michael cried out.

  Collin assumed the mien of a former soldier. “Our army is well-trained. The rebels have no hope against Noventia.”

  The advisors continued to bicker amongst themselves until Talin held up a hand. The room fell into silence.

  “I, more than anyone here, know the toll war takes on a country. I watched my father give up his life to protect his people. This was not an easy decision to make. It is not for me now. We must act to protect our northern borders. We cannot have innocent women and children being murdered in their beds and fire being set to their homes. This ends now.”

  His dark blue eyes flashed with the fire of his impassioned speech. “We had a brief respite when we joined forces with Bevelaire. Now that the treaty is void, we can expect the rebels’ efforts to double. I will not have my subjects, or those of my brother, put at risk.”

  Collin nodded in agreement. “The prince is right. The rebels have gone too long unpunished. We cannot allow our borders to fall into the wrong hands. Right now we don’t know who is behind the rebellion. Sources would have us believe Roarke is behind everything. Until we know for sure, we must do everything in our power to protect Noventia.”

  As always, the prince and Collin were in perfect agreement.

  Talin had been trained as a lad by Collin, a favored friend of his late father. It was seldom the two were not in accord.

  Michael did not appear convinced, but he obeyed the prince’s command. “We must decide on a course of action.”

  “I suggest both groups of soldiers leave at morning’s light.” Collin spoke with authority. In the art of war, he was the expert.

  The remaining advisors quickly agreed as each made his opinion known. Plans and assignments were made, and the troop leaders were sent for. Instructions were given to each captain.

  Then there was nothing left to do but wait for morning.

  Talin dismissed all of his advisors except Collin, who was invited to sup with him.

  As they made their way to the dining hall, Talin continued to question his actions.

  “Do you think we have made the right choice, Collin?”

  “Yes, my prince. The rebels have left us no other recourse.”

  Talin sighed heavily. “This is not my wish, but it must be done. What of Roarke? Do you think he will return?”

  Collin pursed his lips in thought. “Hard to say. If he can find a way to prove he is not behind the attempted assassination, perhaps he may. The fact he fled lends much validity toward his involvement.”

  Talin cursed under his breath. “We were so close. A few moments more and he would’ve been forced to associate with Noventia if he wanted to stay in his subjects’ good graces. We would’ve had him where we wanted him, and it would not have been long before he was exposed.”

  They reached the dining hall, and Talin took his seat. “We were so concerned with the possibility of a rebel attack; we never stopped to think Roarke may have plotted an assassination as well.”

  “Perhaps it was one and the same?” Collin suggested as he took his own place at the table.

  Unlike many, Talin was not convinced Roarke headed the rebellion. “Why would he seek to destroy the kingdom he wants for himself? The rebels want to reunite Novent and overthrow the monarchy. Roarke desires sole power. He would never agree to form a republic.”

  “It is difficult to understand how another’s mind works, Your Highness. We cannot assume to know the plans of the rebels from rumors we hear.”

  “That is true.” Talin recognized Collin’s words as a kind, but gentle, rebuke. “We must continue to gather as much information as possible. If we can prove Roarke is behind any of this, he will be imprisoned.”

  Collin’s wise gaze drifted to the prince. “How will your lovely betrothed react to her father being imprisoned?”

  “Damned if I know. That is the crux of it. At times, I feel I can confide in Rowena. At others, she turns on me as if I am the enemy itself. It is all so confusing.”

  “And you do not like to be confused.” Collin gave a short bark of laughter. “The fair Rowena is quite a match for you, my prince. It will be difficult if she does indeed side with her father.”

  “We shall see when the time comes, my dear Collin.”

  And the time would come. He had waited ten long years to avenge his father’s death.

  * * * *

  “Eat.”

  Rowena glanced up from the novel she read and fixed her steady gaze on the prince’s face. “I’m not hungry.”

  She lowered her gaze back to the book and attempted to ignore him as he continued to hover over her. Talin cursed under his breath and leaned down to grab the book out of her hands. He tossed it several feet away and plopped a plate in her lap.

  “Eat, Rowena,” he commanded again. “It’s been almost two days since you’ve last eaten. I won’t have you starving to death in my castle.”

  She rolled her eyes and refused to be cowered. “So that’s what this little display is all about? You want to prove you’re a considerate jailor. For that’s what you are, you know? Nothing but my jailor.”

  “I am your betrothed, Rowena, and I will thank you to consider me as such.” He put his hands on either side of her chair, effectively trapping her.

  He was close enough to feel the heat of his body. She pretended his nearness didn’t affect her and widened her eyes in mock innocence. “Then don’t thank me.”

  The prince lifted the lid and exposed a succulent serving of meat and steaming vegetables. “Roasted chicken and rosemary potatoes.”

  It was one of her favorite meals. How had he known? The aroma that wafted from the platter to her nose made her salivate.

  “I told you I am not hungry.” She wrenched her gaze from the food with tremendous effort.

  “You should eat anyway.”

  She gave him an insolent expression. “What do you care?”

  His eyes darkened, and his gaze dipped to her bodice. “We would not want you to lose your delectable curves.”

  She felt her face heat, and her hand lifted as if to slap his face. She stilled before her palm connected with his cheek and stared at the limb with growing horror.


  Had she really almost struck him? Rowena abhorred violence and had sworn she would never act in such a manner.

  The prince did not seem to notice her reaction.

  “Please eat, Rowena.” His voice was soft and cajoling.

  She licked her lips without meaning to, and Talin gave her a confident smile. “I promise I did not poison it.”

  She gave into an insane whim and dropped the plate on the floor. The prince jumped back, but most of the food spilled onto his boots. He looked down at the mess she’d made on the floor and back up to her face.

  His gaze clouded with anger, but his voice was calm when he spoke. “That was not well done of you, Rowena.”

  Inside she was shaking, but she was proud of her action. She’d spent too much of her life cowering in fear. She would not let this man destroy her newfound spirit.

  She stood with as much dignity as she could manage, considering she had to step over the food she had spilled. “If you will excuse me, I am going to my chamber.”

  She barely made one step.

  Talin’s hand shot out and grabbed her elbow. She choked back a cry of pain, and his grip loosened immediately. “You will eat.”

  She shook her head. “I will eat when it pleases me to do so.”

  Talin’s nostrils flared with irritation. His dark blue eyes were the color of the storm tossed seas.

  Even angry, he was easily the most handsome man she’d ever seen.

  His face suddenly cleared, and the nonchalant expression she’d become familiar with appeared. “Suit yourself.”

  He picked up her book and handed it back. Then he turned on his heel and left the room.

  Her eyes widened in surprise. She had not expected him to give up so easily. She didn’t think her show of rebellion would succeed, but maybe her tantrum would drive home the point she did not want to be here.

  Why would he not send her home? It was not as if he truly wanted to marry her.

  He had to let her go. If not, she would find a way to escape and return to Bevelaire. Her sister, Sara, could not be left defenseless.