Prince in Disguise (Perilous Courts, #2)

by Tavia Lark

—to find big, burly Kaspar struggling with a burlap sack over his head. A lanky young man clings to his back. “How does it feel now?” Bell hisses into Kaspar’s covered ear.

Cackling 🤣🤣 GET HIM BELL

“Great,” Bellamy mutters. “Traveling with Bastard and Asshole.”

Rakos wakes with a blinkmink in his face and a minstrel in his lap.

Bell blinks at him. “You’re a nice person.” “You take that back.”

“You’re really reckless for someone who won’t eat blackberries.” “They were highly suspicious blackberries.”

Pay attention to what people do, instead of just what they tell you. Words are just what people want you to hear.

Bell’s lip trembles. “You’re back. Why are you back?” “Because I left something very important, and I didn’t realize it until now.” “What was it?” Bell asks. “You,” Rakos answers simply.

“Wait, did you—did you kill her?” “Of course, I killed her. I’ll kill anyone who hurts you.”

Already?! 🥰🥰🥰

His entire body thrums with unreleased tension, ready to jump the innkeeper if he so much as breathes too close to Bell.

Wow so protective!!!! 🥹

Your current look screams ‘sweet, innocent foreigner, please swindle me.’” “Sweet?” Bell asks. “Innocent?” “Yeah, it’s very deceptive.”

Rakos is sure of one thing, though. For seven silver, the room shouldn’t have only one bed.

Oh yeah it’s all coming together 😏😏😏😏😏😏😏

This is normal. He and Rakos are normal traveling companions, just like in Bellamy’s adventure novels. Nothing sexual about it. Flushing, Bellamy remembers certain stand-out scenes from said novels.

Very normal, absolutely

He discarded his own clay necklace very quickly, and only realized by chance when he was eleven that Julien still had his. When Julien refused to relinquish the embarrassing art project for proper disposal, Bellamy turned to Audric for help. Only to find Audric had also kept his hideous necklace.

AW THATS SO CUTE

Why should the laundry boy and everyone else get to see Rakos half-dressed and barefoot too?

Jealous 😏

Rakos treats him like an ordinary person. Ordinary people have casual dalliances, right?

The gold chain he used to wear is missing.

STOP HE SOLD IT!!!! 😭🥺😭😭🥺😭🥺😭

He looks like he belongs to Rakos, whose throat goes dry.

“She likes you,” Bell says with a slight smile. “Could have fooled me,” Rakos says, as Bastard shoves a paw in his ear.

Yeah. Maybe his motives for rescuing Bell aren’t so altruistic after all.

😏

Rakos likes the glow to his skin, the quickness to his smile.

“Do people not know how to build tents?” “Oh, no,” Bell says. “The contest!” Thankfully, he doesn’t sound too disappointed.

LMAO 🤣🤣

Bellamy has never been kissed like this. Rakos plunders his mouth with confidence, and it’s the hottest thing Bellamy’s ever felt.

As if Bellamy’s blood doesn’t boil every time he thinks of it—which is every time sunlight passes over Rakos’s golden, freckled cheekbones. Every time Rakos smiles. Stretches. Passes Bastard treats.

Their new room has two beds. Bellamy daydreams about breaking one of them.

“We’ve barely been in Orthin a week. How have you made so many enemies?” “Talent.”

back. A deep dent Rakos hadn’t noticed before catches the lantern light.

Cackling 😂

“So, let’s be clear. I would absolutely, gladly fuck you.”

I LOVE when they’re straightforward.

His blood heats. His breath. Rakos is a master at this. If this is all Rakos can give him, Bellamy will take it.

“Remember,” Rakos says against his lips. “This is just casual.” “Obviously.”

Mhmm

“Any answer’s fine, sweetheart.” Rakos traces Bellamy’s lips with a fingertip. “I’d make you forget them anyway.”

“When I’m done with you, you aren’t going to think about anything.” “You arrogant—oh fuck!”

Rakos is fascinated by Bell’s fascination in the world around him.

Casual. This is casual. It can’t last. But while it does, he’ll savor every taste of Bell he can get.

When you asked who I was, I said the first stupid thing that came into my head. I never expected…” To fall in love with you.

“Later, at the end of all this, I want you to remember how kind and understanding I’m being right now.”

“There’s one more thing I wasn’t honest about,” Rakos says quietly. “Terrible man. What is it?” Rakos holds him tighter. “I don’t think this is casual for me after all.” Bellamy’s heart soars, then plummets.

He told Bell the truth, and Bell still wanted him. Fuck, did Bell still want him. Last night was, not to be overdramatic, one of the most amazing nights of Rakos’s life.

Rakos catches his lips in a lazy, gentle kiss, far sweeter than the pink and gold sunrise. In that moment, everything is serene and perfect.

“Your magic is really handy, though. I can see you canceling the flares around us.” “I’m cool, aren’t I? Tell me I’m cool.” “Ridiculous.” Bell grins. “But also pretty cool.”

Rakos shakes his head, as if to clear out the dust of melancholy. “Anyway, I don’t trust a word Vana says. He’s a filthy, lying noble just like any prince.” “Yeah,” Bell says in a funny tone. “Princes are the worst.”

“Actually, I’m terribly injured. So many injuries everywhere. I think my cock might be broken. Would you mind examining it to make sure it’s all right?”

Rakos won’t leave Bell behind. He has to make this work. Somehow, he’ll persuade Bell to come with him. To live anywhere that isn’t Silaise. Sarka will love Bell too, and they can all live happily together on a tropical island or wherever.

He’s about an inch shorter than Bellamy, around the same age, with messy blond hair and bruise-purple eyes. Clearly a Draskoran native.

Whisper 🥰🥰🥰🥰

“My name is Whisper, and I work for Prince Julien.”

Work?????? I dunno, I don’t think how y’all act is “work”, Whisper

“Well, you have better taste in men than your brother, though that’s not saying much.”

Oh whisper 🥺

What an idiot Rakos was to think he could keep this casual. But Bell’s worth the heartbreak.

He loves every part of Bell, and he’d love to meet the people who’ve helped shape him.

Bellamy’s far too in love with Rakos Tem to leave him behind.

“I’ve been fucking Bellamy Sandry?” Rakos asks, dazed. “Yes, you’ve—” Vana’s eyes grow enormous. Daromir drops the key. “You’ve been what?” “Never mind.” Rakos slumps back in the chair, head spinning. “That’s none of your business.” “Yes,” Vana says faintly. “I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that so neither of his brothers have cause to murder me.” “Oh, fuck.” Rakos feels faint too. “His brothers.”

Rakos sweeps Bell into a desperate hug, and the final piece of his heart slides into place.