Throne of Secrets (Prince of Sin, #2)

by Kerri Maniscalco

I’d been distracted by the prim setting and cursed when I noticed my sister and stepmother were already ascending the gilded stairs at the far edge of the chamber. Not wanting to cause a scene already, I grabbed my skirts and hurried along, hoping to catch up to them without anyone realizing I’d been gone. What I didn’t expect was the door to my right to open so suddenly, or for the prince to come striding out so fast. We collided in the most catastrophic manner. I bounced off his hard chest, falling backward, and the damned prince tumbled with me, hoisting me up at the last moment so my fall was broken by his body. I lay there for a second, trying to recall if I’d pissed off any of the old gods in my articles to receive this level of punishment. Alas, it was simply poor luck and terrible timing.