The Princes Determined

woe.

Chapter 1

She refuses to eat, Your Highness.

Prince Talin of Noventia turned his attention from his own private repast and gave a cool look to the footman who had the misfortune to bear these tidings.

How many meals has she refused?

The footman lowered his eyes. Four, Sire.

Talin slammed his fist on the table, rattling the dishes. So she has not eaten since noon yesterday?

That is correct, Your Highness.

Talin motioned for the footman to clear away his meal. Damn that woman!

He was unused to having his orders disobeyed, yet his betrothed vexed him at every turn. He’d been forced to more or less imprison her in the castle. If he relaxed his guard at all, she roamed about the city spilling untruths about him to anyone who cared to listen.

His advisor, Collin d’Arcy, who had joined him for supper, pushed aside his own plate. Now that Lady Rowena’s father is gone, she is trying everything in her power to thwart your seduction.

Talin growled under his breath. He was a man unused to rejection and did not take it well. She will not get out of this betrothal. It is time she reconciled herself to her fate.

His betrothal to Rowena, the beautiful daughter of Roarke of Bevelaire, was not viewed in a favorable light by his subjects. Roarke had long been held to be responsible for the death of Talin’s father, their beloved king, but Talin had good reason for desiring the marriage.

Yes, it is. Collin nodded. It is unfortunate your first wedding was interrupted.

Talin laughed, but the sound held no humor. An attempt on my life and the subsequent disappearance of Roarke couldn’t help but bring the ceremony to a halt.

All had not been in vain, though. Talin’s brother, Mathis, and his favorite soldier, Nadia, found love during the tumultuous events of the last few months.

I should go make sure the damned woman eats.

Collin lifted an eyebrow, but did not try to dissuade him. I shall wait for you in your study.

Talin got to his feet and strode from the dining chamber. He crossed the hall and climbed the stairs with determined steps. Rowena was housed in his private wing at the castle of N’ior. The blue carpet runner that lay the length of the hall muffled the sound of his footfalls. The servants he passed bowed, but stepped out of his way as he proceeded with what he was certain was a black look on his face. Within a matter of minutes, he reached her chamber.

Open the doors! he commanded the sentries who stood guard outside Rowena’s room.

The men rushed to do his bidding, and then stepped out of harm’s way. Rowena had been known to toss dishes and food at their heads.

Talin would’ve been amused at her show of spirit had she been any man’s bride but his.

The chamber was unusually silent. His eyes narrowed as he surveyed the pristine white bed and the set of chairs situated near the hearth. The gold and white guest chamber was empty. He stepped inside the room to search for signs of her presence.

He threw open the doors to her wardrobe and gritted his teeth. It was packed with clothes, yet neither Rowena nor her two ladies-in-waiting were to be found.

He roundly cursed, turned on his heel, and exited the room. He fixed a hard glare on the sentries. Fools, she has escaped!

Talin did not wait for their response. She could not have gotten far. He would see that she was located and brought back to the castle.

Summon Collin. Tell him to join to me in the throne room immediately, he directed one of the sentries.

Collin was the only man other than his brother he would trust with his life. His advisor knew all of his secrets and would know how to handle this.

Several minutes later, Collin joined him. The sentry must have informed him of Rowena’s disappearance because the knight already had information.

I’ve got men scouring the city and the surrounding countryside. No horses were taken from the stables, so she cannot have gone far.

Talin’s blue eyes flashed with irritation. I’ve never met a more irritating woman in my life!

Collin’s weathered face creased with amusement. She is quite beautiful, Your Highness.

Bah. Talin waved aside his advisor’s compliment. What need have I of beauty if she is determined to drive me to an early grave?

They both knew this was more than a mere courtship. Noventia’s treaty with Bevelaire was in jeopardy. Everything he and Collin had plotted depended on his marriage to Rowena.

In the three weeks since their ruined wedding, Talin asked himself a hundred times if he could bear being married to a woman who made no secret of her hatred for him. The marriage was a necessary evil to protect his kingdom. Roarke would pay for what he’d done, but to accomplish this task, Talin needed Rowena as a pawn.

This did not sit easily with him. He had long used women for his amusement, a brief tumble, a casual flirtation, and as mistresses. The difference was that it had been done with the prior knowledge and consent of the other players. In this matter, he presumed Rowena was ignorant of the complex schemes surrounding her.

Until he knew more of her relationship with her father, he could not trust her.

Talin paced the hall, his long strides taking him from one side to the other. His steps slowed, and he spun to face Collin. We cannot let her slip out of our grasp. It will ruin our plans.

Collin sat down in a chair and crossed his arms as if he were prepared to wait all night if need be. She will be found, my lord.

What if she is not? Talin sat opposite Collin and stretched his long legs out in front of him.

Collin’s wise eyes met his. Then we form a new plan to defeat Roarke.

What do we do now?

We wait.

Though the situation was far from amusing, a laugh was wrung from Talin. Collin, my friend, are you always this calm?

His advisor bobbed his head. Yes.

Talin settled deeper into his chair, prepared to wait for word of Rowena. Then let us play a game of cards while we wait.

Cards were fetched, and they played for hours. Collin did not display any concern of the passage of time. Talin followed his example and ignored the shadows that grew deeper around the pair as night fell.

It was well after midnight when word came that she’d been found.

Finally! Talin surged to his feet to command the soldier who delivered the message. Bring her to me.

The women were announced and shown into the room. They were escorted by soldiers, who formed a human barricade between the ladies and the doors.

Gregor, one of his captains, stepped forward. Your Highness, Lady Rowena was found near the gates.

Is that so? His eyes narrowed, and he turned his head toward his intended bride. Did you fancy a walk about town, my dear?

Unlike her two ladies, who entered the room with bowed heads and cowed manners, Rowena kept her gaze resolutely forward and head high. She offered no response to his question.

Talin dealt with her ladies-in-waiting first. He waved a finger in their direction. You two are to return to Bevelaire at morning’s light. For now, you will be kept under lock and key in the servants’ quarters.

They wisely chose not to argue.

Next, it was time to deal with Rowena. She still had not looked at him, but he could discern she was distressed at the banishment of her ladies. Her mouth turned down at the corners after his announcement.

Leave us, he instructed the soldiers and ladies in a booming voice. I wish to speak to Lady Rowena in private.

The room emptied immediately. Collin also stepped out, presumably to avoid witnessing the prince’s wrath. The doors banged shut, and the space became ominously silent.

The heels of his boots clicked on the marble hall as he approached her. She stood as still as stone, her face impassive. The candlelight flickered across her features as he drew closer.

Her beauty was remarkable. It was a shame she despised him.

He circled her, studying the garb she’d chosen to wear during her failed escape. Ah, Rowena. Red suits you.

He tugged on the hood of her cape and uncovered her guinea gold curls. Unfortunately, gold is a color that draws attention.

She continued to ignore him, but he knew she heard. Her spine grew rigid as he came to a stop in front of her.

Mere inches separated their bodies. It was tempting to touch her, yet he did not.

Tell me. How did you leave unnoticed?

A smug curve of her lips was his answer.

Fortunately, he’d already learned what he needed to know from her sentries. He tapped his forefinger against his lips and pretended to ponder the situation. Let’s see if I have this correct. Your ladies convinced the guards to leave their post by promising them … shall we say … certain favors. While they partook of such favors, you slipped out and later met with them in the hedge maze.

His eyes widened with mock surprise. But you didn’t manage to elude the sentries I posted at each gate leading out of the city, did you?

Rowena gave a slight hiss, but remained wordless.

I fear it does make me question you if you surround yourself with ladies of such low moral fortitude.

He knew his