Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

Once I reached Adriana, I slowly dropped to one knee. A hush descended from the double meaning of my action. No one dared to mock her now. Not when their prince kneeled before her. “I choose you, Adriana Saint Lucent. From the first moment I saw you, a decade ago, you have haunted my dreams. It has always been you.” I remained on my knee, ready to remove my heart from my chest and hand it to her if that was her request. Adriana looked… horrified. “I am, and always have been, irrevocably in love with you. Therefore, I cannot pretend to court anyone else. The competition is over. And if I’m being honest, it always has been because there is no one better suited for me than you.” I inhaled deeply. “Adriana Saint Lucent, my sweet nemesis, will you marry me?” The silence that spread throughout the room was all-consuming now. No one seemed to draw breath for fear of missing a single word. Adriana kept staring at me like I’d somehow managed to grow a second or third head. She certainly knew how to keep my ego from overinflating. She slowly took her attention from me and glanced around the room. Reporters moved in like sharks scenting blood in the water. I inwardly cursed. I’d wanted them here to spread the word that I’d very publicly chosen her. That she would be mine for the realms to see if she’d accept my suit. Being near her now, I sensed her emotions clearly. Hurt, distrust.