Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

Fate was a twisted prick, but I owed him another debt. Had she never rushed onto that rooftop, and had I not hunted my brothers that same night and waited for them there—she never would have ended up in my sights. I didn’t like the unpleasant emotion that came on the heels of that thought, of Adriana meeting someone else.

“Thank you.” I paused, the muscles in my body tensed. Surely the world was about to collapse. “That’s it. I’m taking you to the royal healer. Now.” She glanced up, a furrow forming in her brow. “Why?” “You thanked me. You’re obviously out of your senses.” She offered me an obscene hand gesture, confirming she was truly on the mend.

“You aren’t lying to yourself exactly, but you also aren’t admitting one fact I’m very aware of, darling. And therefore not acknowledging what the magic already senses. Tonight’s lingering attraction isn’t simply because of our tryst. Or the intensity of the multiple orgasms I gave you.” “You’re arrogant and wrong, once again.” I raised a brow. “Am I? I seem to recall that you were aroused enough when I offered to spank you, knowing full well it was me. And not only that, but during our little collision? Don’t think I wasn’t aware of how your body reacted to mine.” A pleasant flush blossomed across her petal-soft skin. “If you must know, I was imagining it was my stranger, not you.” Her tone was so prim and proper. If I didn’t know what her secret desires were, I’d never guess she’d fantasized about being caught. “I hate to break it to you.” I leaned in, dropping my voice to a low purr. “But I am your stranger. And you liked me just fine when I was on my knees, tasting every inch of you.” She took a sip of brandy, then another. As if the liquor would stop the memory from resurfacing. I sensed her arousal now, knowing she was recalling each flick and slide of my tongue, and she didn’t despise it. As much as she wished she did. At least that made me feel better about my own arousal. She couldn’t hold that against me when she’d been fighting it too. “Yes, well. The fantasy has been thoroughly destroyed now.” “Mm. We’ll see.” “No, we won’t. Now that I know who you are, physica...

“There’s something else we should discuss,” I said after taking another deep pull of my brandy. “The little fact that your sister is one of my suitors.” Her gaze narrowed. “If it will create a rift between you, you may take her place.” Her attention was frozen to me, a look of horror slowly spreading across her face. Another punch to my ego. Or maybe she was just surprised. I decided to pull the bandage off completely, laying it all out there. “We suit well enough physically. And we’re bound by oath now. It makes sense to see how this plays out.” I downed the last of my brandy, relishing the burn. “Will you join the competition and become my suitor?”

“If you didn’t know it was me that first night, there had to be something you…” I smiled. He might be cleverer than I’d originally given him credit for, but after nearly a decade of watching him for any way to ruin him, I was well-versed in reading him. “You needed a distraction,” I said, paying close attention to his reaction. “That’s why you kept seeing me.” “When don’t I enjoy a good diversion?” “Don’t you have enough lovers to occupy you on any given night?” “I’d been taken with you all week. You’re quite enchanting when you’re Lady F.” And yet, the rake of rakes hadn’t actually attempted to take me to his bed until tonight. I couldn’t quite figure out if that was solely because he’d wanted me to swear the oath to him or if he simply craved me the same way I craved him in spite of his suspicion. “I’ve never known you to go so long without feeding your sin.” “My appetites are far ranging and diverse. There are many ways, aside from bedroom activities, to sate my hunger.” “Then why do you spend so much time crafting an image of hopping from one bed to the next?” He gave me a lazy grin. “Just because I was alone in bed this week doesn’t mean I was any less satisfied. I thought of you. Often. Even without the mask.”

“Go on.” I faced him, arms crossed. “Say whatever clever insult you’re practicing.” Lust looked me over, shaking his head. “You’re an idiot.” “Regarding?” “Bloody hell, Gabriellis. How aren’t you sleeping with that female?” “Miss Everhart is a suitor.” “I’m talking about her sister. Don’t act like you didn’t see her hurry by.” He set his glass down and sighed. “I can’t tell if she’d be the best or worst thing to ever happen to me.” My teeth audibly ground together. Lust shot an innocent look my way. “Problem, Gabriel?” I ignored him. The gods-damned oath had sounded like an excellent idea, but now it felt like a curse.

“And what of you, Eden? What sort of scandals do you find intriguing?” She leaned in, dropping her voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Falling for someone forbidden.” Before I could formulate a response, she straightened up, her disposition brightening. “Regarding my sister, I fear you’ve fallen into the trap she’s laid. She refuses to admit it, but I know Adriana secretly yearns for a happily-ever-after.” Just not with me. The thought was unwelcome. For a multitude of reasons.

“Each time you defy me in public, you’ll be punished in private.” Her velvet tongue flattened, welcoming my thumb deeper. “And I think you might enjoy it as much as I will.” I wasn’t foolish enough to think she’d submitted fully. She wanted to bring me to my knees too. Get me as aroused as she was. But I was in control now. Just as I’d always be. I played a little longer, then pulled free, watching her reaction carefully. There was one more secret I’d like to unravel about this rival of mine. What she’d choose would tell me everything I needed to know about how to keep her close. “I’m offering you a choice of punishment for today’s little excursion. Choose to have me spank you. Or remain on your knees until dawn.”

“Blood oath or not, I’m not going to submit to your depraved whims, Your Highness.” “Your choice is to remain on your knees, then?” “My choice is to carry on with my day, far from you and your debauchery. I already apologized about exploring the dungeons. What more do you want?” The look he flashed my way had my pulse speeding and throbbing in all the right places. He looked like he very much wanted me to choose the first option, to sprawl across his knee. “I’m debauched?” His mouth curved. “I’ve said nothing of this being a sinful bedroom game, Miss Saint Lucent. When I ordered you to your knees, you were thinking of my cock, while I was only after an apology. A charge you didn’t deny, by the way. Your thoughts slant toward naughty places all on their own; don’t blame me for your inner deviant. I simply aim to please.” I mustered up my most haughty tone. “Let’s get this over with. I have an article to draft up and plans later.” His hazel eyes sparkled devilishly. “Say the words, darling.” “My choice is corporal punishment.” I gave him a saccharinely sweet smile. “Obviously, I need to satisfy my inner deviant. Shall I bend over the desk, or will the chair do?” Gods, did I hate the male. His knowing look called me on the fact that I didn’t consider this a punishment at all.

“If they cannot love my fetid flesh at its worst, then they don’t deserve me at my best. Isn’t that how the mortal saying goes?”

“You have no idea how tempted I am to cuff you to my bed, Miss Saint Lucent.” And just like that I returned to my senses. “Are you wholly incapable of uttering a sentence that isn’t rakish?” His smile was a quick flash of teeth. “Thinking filthy thoughts again?” “I’m not the one dreaming of tying you to my bedposts.” “Truly a shame. You might have some fun living out your darkest fantasies. I’m sure I’d look rather dashing in your bed.” He sighed when I didn’t take the bait. “I want you where I can see you. It’s either my room or the dungeon. My room would be far more convenient and less drafty.” At that I smiled sweetly. “Will I be sharing a suite with the crimson-eyed creature, or will I have my own accommodations there? Unless of course that’s what injured your back. Then I’d like my own dark, dank cell.” He stilled for a moment, his body tense. In the next moment, he was relaxed again, making me question what I’d seen. “How do you know I’m injured?” “How anyone else didn’t notice is the true mystery. I’ve seen you kiss plenty of people and you never once winced.” “Perhaps I should send you into the dungeon,” he muttered.

“You hated me then, before I even had a chance to win you over. So yes, Adriana, I think we need to discuss that night. Because in my version, I wanted a much different outcome for our story. I wanted to give you my royal mark.” A royal mark was no small thing. Princes rarely gave them to anyone, they were a show of high honor, of rank. They were similar to tattoos but very small and easily hidden. A royal mark allowed the prince to sense the whereabouts of the one he’d marked, but it also allowed the one marked to summon the prince at will. Other rumors suggested it also granted someone immortality after a small ceremony or spell was cast. That part was even more rare, so I wasn’t sure how true it was. How could Axton honestly believe that was how strongly he felt when his recollection was entirely false? “I—” Frustration built in my chest as I inched closer, as if proximity to the prince would spark a memory. “That’s not how that night went. You and I—you and I did go to the garden. You told me everything a young, hopeful romantic could ever want to hear. Made all sorts of declarations and promises. You charmed me so thoroughly we made love right there and everything was incredible. Up until you left me directly after to sleep with the viscountess. The same one who’d been calling me a social climber all evening and attempted to have me tossed from the ball for being common scum. I was mortified. You discarded me like I meant nothing.” I exhaled, my breath hitching slight...

“I have another confession to make,” he whispered. “During the contest, I convinced myself Vanity was you. Once I realized my mistake, I wanted to apologize. Right there. In front of everyone.” My heart thundered. “You didn’t, though.” Axton tipped my chin up, watching me as he slowly brought his mouth to mine. “Forgive me, Adriana.”

He tasted like my favorite mistake.

Adriana had been so adamant about the All-Sinners Ball, about us getting intimate in the garden. She didn’t know I dreamed about it, that it was something I’d desired since that first meeting. That no lover had ever sated me, no matter how wonderful they were on their own. That I’d eventually given up taking anyone to my bed, abstaining for years because all I wanted was her. There was no way in any of the hells that I’d forget making Adriana mine that night. Not when it haunted me. Now, with her in my arms, arching into me, willing and aroused in our own private chamber, it felt like the worst sort of punishment to end our evening early.

“If you aren’t willing to share your secrets with me, how can you possibly expect me to open myself up to you?” “You have spent the last decade trying to ruin my court in the press. I would be a fool to share classified information.” “Proving my point wonderfully,” she said, not unkindly. “The past can’t simply be forgotten because you declare it should be.”

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“From what I’ve observed of our stories not aligning, I think it might have been used. What else impacts memories like that? You believe your version as adamantly as I believe mine. Either we both forgot, or one of us is lying. You didn’t detect deception from me, and unless you’ve figured out how to lie, you cannot tell me something that isn’t true.” Axton’s expression was impossible to read. But I swore there was a flicker of excitement. “If neither one of us is lying,” I pressed, “then how do you account for that discrepancy?”

“How can you be certain you didn’t regret your choice and decide to rewrite your story? Maybe that’s why your memory of us sleeping together is gone and mine is not.” “I do not regret it.” “Of course you don’t.” She gave me a flat look. “You don’t even remember it.” The air in the cavern suddenly felt too warm, my heartbeat too fast. Tension crackled between us as I finally unleashed my greatest secret. “I have hungered for you in ways you cannot comprehend. I’ve craved you. More than my sin. You haunt me, Adriana.” I nearly shook from the confession. “My dreams are the only time I get to worship you. Do you have any idea how many careful lies of omission I’ve told over the years? The role I’ve played this last decade. All to hide the truth of how deeply, wholly lost I am to you?”

“Well?” she asked, voice clipped. “What falsehood do you wish to confess to now?” “The truth is, sweet nemesis”—I lowered my mouth to her ear—“I have not fucked a soul since the All-Sinners Ball. But I have made love to you a thousand times in my dreams. And I have never once yearned for anyone else to visit my bed.” I stepped back enough to watch the truth of my confession settle in. She searched my face, her eyes glimmering with unshed tears. “What do you want from me now?” To do all the unspeakably depraved, wicked things you and I both desire. “The same thing I’ve wanted for longer than I’d care to admit.”

“I want to give you my royal mark. Then spread your thighs and feast.”

“First, I’m going to give you the mark right here.” He reached over and traced the expanse of skin along my bodice to the right of my heart. My chest heaved from the light touch. “Then I’m going to bind your wrists with my belt, tie you to the chair, and kiss every inch of your skin.” My focus shot to him and remained there. He waited, brow quirked, for my response. But I had no quip. No argument. Only a steady throbbing that was growing more insistent. His mouth curved. He knew he’d succeeded in gaining my full attention. Or maybe he knew I’d have no desire to fight him on this. He was my stranger from the Seven Sins. He knew the secret longings of my heart. And I knew his. Filthy, filthy Prince of Sin. “Then, once you’re begging for my cock, I’m going to bend you over this table.” He traced a line across the small table before us, slowly pushing the food aside. “And pound your pussy so hard you won’t care if I’m the devil himself so long as I make you come again.” I closed my eyes, trying to quell the hollow ache steadily building from his words.

As if sensing my slight panic, he knelt before me, a serious expression on his handsome face. “One word and I’ll stop. This is about pleasure, not pain. If at any point you don’t wish to continue, that is completely fine. I will be controlling your pleasure, but you ultimately control me. Understand?” I flashed him a rather saucy smile. “Do you honestly believe I’d bite my tongue?” “That wicked tongue is only one of the many reasons I love you.”

“You are my favorite indulgence, Adriana Saint Lucent.”

“I adore you in obscene ways.” Her smile was soft, almost shy. “Likewise.”

Tonight had been a glorious disaster. Glorious with Adriana in the cave. Disastrous for everything that followed.

“If you’re about to counsel me on Adriana, I suggest choosing a different time.” “It’s going to be in all the papers” was all she said. As if I was unaware of our plot. “We can get ahead of the story to minimize damage to your image. Let Adriana take the fall.” “Absolutely not,” I said, annoyed it was even being suggested. “I’ll call off the competition and tell the truth at the ball tonight. Just like I planned with Adriana.” “Sometimes plans change, Your Highness.” Val kept her gaze trained on the sky. “If you reveal the truth—that the competition has been a distraction—the entire realm will turn on you.” I said nothing to that. She was correct. “Now is not the time to lose sinners and weaken your court because you promised Miss Saint Lucent otherwise,” she pressed. “Do what you need to do, Ruthless Rake.” She bowed and went back inside, leaving me.

“Does Eden know?” “Not yet. She’s off with Vanity getting fitted for her gown and has missed all the gossip. But you better pray to whatever old god you can that this remains a secret until after the ball. Do you have any idea what a scandal of this nature will do to our family?” “We live in a realm of sin. It’s hardly—” “Sin is one thing. Fornicating with the prince of our circle, while he’s hosting a realm-wide competition to find a princess, of which your own blood is vying for that coveted crown, is reprehensible behavior. Have you no honor or loyalty to family? What would your father think?” My eyes suddenly burned. “You’ve crossed a line, stepmother.” “Have I? Because I’d argue you crossed a line when you spread your legs again for a male who is clearly uninterested in taking you to wife.” I flinched as if she’d struck a physical blow. Sophie watched me closely, her cruel mouth twisting into a sneer. “Stupid girl. Nearly thirty and still unable to see the truth. The prince doesn’t care about you. If he did, he’d call off the competition right this moment, publicly declare himself to you, and prevent any rumors from spreading.” If she only knew, that was precisely our plan. I kept my mouth shut, unwilling to share the truth. In a few hours everyone would know. Sophie glanced around our empty sitting room. “Do you see him here? Hunting you down to make sure you’re all right? Ensuring no one speaks ill of his beloved?” She shook her head. “Do not be surprised when this ...

“He’ll do better this time,” I said, hoping to will it into existence, even if doubt crept in. Sophie gave me a pitying look. “We’ll see soon enough.”

“What, exactly, are you doing?” I asked, keeping a polite smile in place. “You’re causing a scene. And I should like to have a few minutes to collect myself.” He gave me the sort of devastating grin that felled even the worthiest opponent. Too bad I was completely immune to his charm. I stared coldly until the smile slipped from his face. “Are you quite well?” he asked, looking me over more carefully. If surviving a scandal, a broken heart, and public scorn was considered well, then I was positively peachy. “Would you mind moving? I really do need some air.” A spark of challenge ignited in his gaze. “I would mind very much. Since I’m asking you to dance with me.” “I’m sure your suitors will occupy all your time.” He moved closer, either unaware or uncaring that the crowd had seemed to step in as well. “We had a plan, remember?” “Did we? I can’t seem to recall any details of how we’re to proceed tonight. Oh”—I gave him the sort of smile that was anything but friendly—“perhaps it has something to do with the fact that you didn’t bother to consult me.” “You’re mad.” “Upset.” He tilted my face up, and for one fleeting moment, I thought he would kiss me right there in front of his whole court. He dragged a thumb across my lower lip, then set those multicolored eyes on mine as I put distance between us. “I would have come to you earlier, but I was delayed.” “I took the brunt of the scandal while you rode out to save the day. The least I deserve is to know if you succeeded.” He u...

“The competition to find a perfect match might not have gone according to plan. But I have found love. And it has been one of the most frustrating, thrilling adventures I’ve ever embarked on.” Adriana’s expression was impossible to read. I wished to be next to her, to sense her emotions. “Miss Saint Lucent, will you please step up to the dais?” She slowly shook her head. “No, Your Highness. I’m afraid I cannot.” Sharp gasps erupted from my court. I silenced them with a ferocious look. They might be deterred, but I was not. If Adriana wanted us on equal footing, I would go to her, crawling if I must. “Very well.” I hopped off the platform and carved my way through the crowd. Whispers followed in my wake, but I ignored the snickering gossip. There was only one opinion I cared about. 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. “A...

I would sacrifice my court for her and not regret a wretched moment of the decision. I’d made peace with my moral compass long ago. If I had to choose between her and the realm, it would be her. Always.

“Axton!” I shouted, a plan whirling into place. He narrowly avoided the next strike, spinning to face me as he kept the dragon in his sights. “Take me north to draw them away. Once we’re at Merciless Reach, you can take the fight deeper into their territory.” He flashed me an appreciative look. “Have I mentioned how much I hunger for you?” I couldn’t stop the shocked laughter from spilling out. Leave it to the rake to flirt as several dragons closed in all around us. Axton landed another solid kick to the dragon’s center, sending it flying backward into the rest of the pack. “Hurry!”

We landed with a soft thud and Axton set me down. “You all right?” he asked, scanning me as if dragons weren’t swarming the fortress. “Yes.” I swallowed thickly. “You?” “I’d be better if you agree to marry me.” He gave me a wolfish grin. “But, yes. I’m fine.”

“Don’t let them see you.” He took a dagger from his ankle and placed it in my hands. “Strike for their eyes if necessary. The fortress is warded; you’ll be safe if you stay within it.” He stalked away then cursed and rushed back. “I swear to the old gods if you put yourself in danger, I will tie you to my bedposts and make you regret scaring me for hours on end.” I yanked him close. “Make sure you come back and punish me soon. Or I will hunt you down.” He laughed softly and without another word, he was off and back into the battle, which already raged on here, twice as brutal as the one we’d just fled.

“One thing I’ve learned is decisions based in fear or anxiety or worry will always come back to haunt you. Love is what strengthens us all, though. Familial love, friendship, romantic love, platonic love. Promise me from now on, you’ll act from a place of love, not fear.” “I swear it.” “Good. Then I think a proper apology and acceptance of said apology should come with freshly baked frostberry pastries. And yours are the best.”

Shirlee came out from the back, a tray laden with our food and next round of ales raised high above the tables as she made her way to us. “Got any other requests concerning my cooking, you royal pain in my ass?” she said by way of greeting. Adriana snorted and clapped a hand over her mouth. I stared at her, fighting my own laughter. “That was the most undignified sound I’ve ever heard. Do it again and I’ll fall in love harder.” Shirlee looked over at my companion, a smile flickering across her stern face. “Seems like you finally found someone who doesn’t worship the ground you walk upon. I like her.”

“I’ve adored you from nearly the first moment I saw you. I loved you when I didn’t like you. I loved you when you bested me. And when I bested you. I love your smart mouth, your clever mind, your darkest fantasies. Your brightest joy. I love that you never let me win, that any victory I have is fleeting but earned. And I will live out the rest of eternity loving you.” She dropped her gaze. And I would have paid an obscene sum to know what she was thinking. I waited, watching her absorb my confession. “I thought my mother’s bracelet was lost forever.” She picked it up gingerly, tears gleaming in her eyes. “How do you have it?” “I’ve been holding on to it since the All-Sinners Ball. I couldn’t quite remember how I came to have it—with our memories restored, I now recall vividly that it broke while we were in the garden.” I gave her a shy smile. “I’d put it in my pocket, wanting to have it repaired.” But then that event was rewritten, and I found a mystery bracelet. “For the sake of complete honesty, it reminded me of you. Your eyes, your hair. I couldn’t part with it.” “I didn’t think I’d ever see it again. Thank you. It means more than you know.”

“There is one other matter.” I popped the box open, revealing a wildly extravagant ring. A diamond nestled with a sapphire and aquamarine. Adriana went perfectly still. “Marry me, Adriana Marianna Saint Lucent. Fight with me, vex me, love me for the rest of our days. Just as I vow to do to you.” My heart thudded painfully as she slowly shook her head. Just when I thought she’d deny me once more, she gave me a tentative smile. “You truly are abysmal with declarations of love, Axton. But yes. I wish to marry you and irk you for eternity. Because I love you just as foolishly and fiercely.” I leapt across the table and gathered her into my arms, taking her mouth in a kiss that was both punishing and promising of all the wicked delights to come.

She’s far too good for you. Adriana laughed, the best sound in the world, and strode over to the dragon. “I adore him! He’s clearly wise.” And handsome. “Let’s not forget I took a dagger for you,” I interjected. Sil huffed, but I saw a slight sheen in his eye. If I didn’t know better, I’d think the sassy bastard was getting emotional over my injury. Adriana held out a gloved hand. “May I?” The dragon nodded, then sank down, granting her access to his giant head. Adriana lightly stroked his scales, then drew her hand back. “You really are ice-cold.” I can warm my scales should you like to take a ride, milady. I scoffed. “Are you serious? You’ve never offered me a ride and I raised your sorry scaled bottom. And, need I remind you once more, took a dagger to the heart for you.” Perhaps if you minded your tongue, Prince. Though I suppose you ought to make sure your princess doesn’t lose her seat. “Will wonders never cease. The great Silvanus is playing the role of royal horse.”