Read Online To Steal a Prince by Cora Caraway - Free Book Online

this.
    I try to keep my hands from shaking. Despite my best efforts, some soup dribbles onto my lip. I wipe it off quickly, leaving a smear of lipstick on my napkin. Shit. Didn’t Eris warn me about this? She may not have been completely trustworthy, but I trust that my lip looks horrible in this light. I’m going to have to keep my head down, and hope that the monarchs have bad eyesight.
    “So, Grace.” The king leans forward. “What brings you to our city?”
    I almost choke on my soup. I had hoped that I would be mostly ignored. What am I supposed to say, that I thought they had nice stuff to steal?
    “Well, sir, or … Your Highness…” I try not to wince, but it’s difficult. Every interaction is difficult to navigate here, but I didn’t expect that I would have to address the king. Shouldn’t I have gotten a handbook of some kind?
    Damon reaches under the table to squeeze my hand.
    “Sorry,” I continue. “I’ve been sightseeing. You have a beautiful city. Some of the nicest museums in the world.”
    The king inclines his head by a centimeter. “I’m glad you’ve enjoyed it. Do let us know if you want to take in more sights, and we’ll lend you a driver. Many Americans aren’t used to driving on the opposite side of the road. Some of them get into terrible accidents.”
    Oh god. He knows. I barely keep my spoon from clattering into the bowl.
    Marc leans toward Damon. “Speaking of cars, where’s your Koenigsegg? I didn’t see it in the garage this morning.”
    This isn’t going anywhere good, and there’s no reason to sit through it. I push out my chair, ready to sprint for the doors if I have to.
    Nic catches my arm.
    “Let me go,” I hiss. I can already feel my face burning. No doubt it clashes horribly with my dress.
    “Not that way,” Nic whispers. Clearing his throat, he bows. “Highnesses, the Lady Sparrow has taken ill. She kindly requests your leave.”
    The king gives the barest of nods.
    Nic guides me to the door. “Now go.”
    Doing my best to ignore the many stares, I run across the hall. Once I’m out of sight of the table, I duck behind a pillar to take off my heels.
    “Grace?” Damon steps through the door. Is he really coming after me? I peek around the pillar. Yes, his eyes scan the hall.
    “Son. A word?” The king puts his hand on Damon’s shoulder. I withdraw behind the pillar.
    “What do you want?” The prince’s voice is low and harsh. “You’re the one who drilled me in etiquette for years. You must have skipped the part on how to properly shame your child’s guest.”
    “Most guests don’t cost this city millions. You can tell the police any story you want, but they still report to me.”
    “I’m sorry about the car. She is too. It’s only money, Father.”
    “For now. That girl is trouble.”
    I don’t want to hear any more of this. I slip out of the hall, walking as fast as I can without attracting odd glances. I like Damon, but why does his family have to be so cold? Are they worried I’ll corrupt him or something? It’s not like I want to marry him. I don’t even want to be here much longer.
    I’m so tired that it’s hard to keep a placid expression on my face for passersby. The relief I feel when I reach my blue door makes me dizzy. I can sleep here one last time, then leave in the morning.
    I step into my room, the only place of sanctuary available to me.
    “Back so soon?”
    Eris is still here. Oh no.
    “I’m just tidying up. I’ll be out of your hair shortly.”
    I can’t help it. I burst into tears.
    “Miss? Oh, please don’t cry.”
    My shoulders shake as tears run down my face. I gasp, barely able to breathe.
    “My lady, er, Grace, I really didn’t mean it. I just thought it would be funny. Here, come sit on the bed.”
    She leads me there, which is nice since I can’t see a thing. I sink into the mattress. This is a great way to end the night, at my most vulnerable in front of someone who despises me.
    “Here, have a