Read Online The Prince's Bride (Modern Fairytales) by Diane Alberts - Free Book Online

he’d stuck it into. “That must’ve hurt.”
    Glancing down, he wiggled his toes. “A little.”
    “I wasn’t talking about the foot.”
    He shrugged. “My response still stands.”
    “Interesting,” she said, eyeing him. “And honest.”
    “I’m a straightforward man. If you ask me a question, you’ll get an honest answer.”
    Nodding slowly, she watched him more closely. “Why are you so honest ?”
    “A ruler can’t afford to get caught in a lie. I’ll never lie to you, Alicia. I swear it.”
    She stared at him another moment, then instead of saying she believed him or she didn’t, she settled into the chair in the sitting area of her room, she tucked her legs under her and immediately asked, “What’s your biggest fear?”
    Easy one. She’d have to up her game if she wanted to make him sweat. “Failure.”
    “What’s the best thing about being a prince?” she asked, biting her lip.
    “The castle.” It was only partly a joke. He’d grown up here; it was home. A short pause, then he added, “And the cars. I have a lot of fast cars. I could take you for a ride in one, if you’d like.”
    She snorted. “Such a guy answer.”
    He laughed, the tension in his shoulders loosening at her openness in talking to him for the first time since he brought her here. Despite the past, and whatever she thought he’d done, he truly enjoyed her company. She brought back memories of the boy he’d once been. “Okay, fine. Real answer. I like being able to change the country for the better. I enjoy making laws, and making sure people live by them. I hope to be remembered for my fairness, and for making our struggling country financially stable. I hope to make a difference.”
    She blinked at him, her mouth ajar. “How are you going to do that?”
    “According to my father?” He lifted a shoulder. “Through marriage to a wealthy princess, of course. He’s got one in particular in mind for me, and she’s willing but…”
    “Of course she is,” she said, averting her face. Was that a backhanded compliment, or was he only hearing what he wanted to hear? “And according to you?”
    He headed for the bar in her room. “No fucking way that will happen. The only thing she talks about is shoes. I get it, people like shoes, but it’s an obsession. So, that’s a no, according to me. I’m determined, when the time is right, to marry for love.”
    “Love?” she murmured. “I didn’t know princes married for that.”
    “They generally don’t,” he admitted. “But it doesn’t stop me from hoping I could. I’ve given up many things in my life, without reservation. I live to serve the country, my people, but I won’t give up on that.”
    “And if you can’t marry for love?” she asked softly.
    All this marriage talk made him nervous. He was young and definitely wasn’t in the mood to settle down. He had a good ten years until that time came…maybe twenty. “Then I won’t marry at all.” Tugging on his collar, he sighed. “I need a scotch. Would you like a brandy?”
    “No.” She frowned. “I’ll take a scotch.”
    “Are you sure?” He walked toward the bar. “It’s pretty stiff.”
    “Yeah. I like it stiff.” The second he opened his mouth, she held up a hand. “Don’t even think about making that a dirty comment of some sort.”
    He smirked and gave her his back. “As you wish.”
    “I see that.”
    He glanced over his shoulder as he uncapped the scotch that he’d had placed in her room before she arrived. “See what?”
    “That smile.” She wiggled her finger at him.
    “But my face was turned away from you.”
    She shook her head. “Doesn’t matter. Still saw it.”
    “Impressive.” He poured two glasses of scotch, and set the bottle down. As he crossed the room, he caught her watching him with a soft expression on her face. It sent his pulse racing. “So you’ve developed X-ray vision while at Baker?”
    Her eyes lit up at the mention of her work. “Not yet, but