Princess Avenger - Brightcastle Saga Book 1 Read Online Free Page A

ease,”
Prince Zialni said. “I refer to the reason I have asked you here
tonight. I have cause to fear for the safety of my daughter, and
the incident in the market square this morning only heightens my
anxiety. It is indeed fortunate that you were present to aid the
luckless citizen after he was attacked. I cannot believe
Brightcastle houses such ruffians that would assault an unarmed
lad.”
    Alecia
gasped. Relief that her secret appeared safe was swamped by the
fear that Captain Anton might readily link the lad and the princess
if the incident were discussed in her presence. If that happened,
would he expose her now or confront her later? The captain had not
reported the true facts of the incident. Why?
    “Alecia, dear,
I know this news must come as a shock, but there is no need to
fear.” Prince Zialni turned to the captain. “The princess is my
only child. She must live to marry and produce a son who might one
day be king. I wish for you to accept the charge of keeping her
safe, whatever that entails.”
    Alecia
muffled a second gasp, her eyes wide as she waited for the
captain’s response. Vard Anton sat stock still, his knuckles white
on the spoon that was raised halfway to his mouth. A small muscle
at his jaw tightened as he lifted his eyes to the prince. Alecia
could not spare a thought for the captain’s discomfiture when she
faced the prospect of the coming days in his company. How am I to avoid
him now?
    Prince Zialni
frowned, spinning the goblet in his hand. “I am waiting.”
    Still the
captain remained silent and Prince Zialni slowly stood. Alecia held
her breath, sure that one of her father’s famous rages threatened.
Why did the captain not speak?
    At last, Vard
Anton seemed to come out of his trance and looked at the prince.
“I’m sorry, Your Highness. I’ll be honored to see to the safety of
the princess, should you wish it.”
    Prince
Zialni’s frown deepened as he seated himself. “We shall adjourn to
the smoking room. There is no need for Alecia to be concerned with
the arrangements. It will suffice for her to know she is
protected.”
    Alecia rose
from the table. The captain stood while Lord Finus and the prince
remained seated. “Please excuse me, gentlemen,” Alecia said. “I
will retire.”
    “Until we meet
again, Princess,” Captain Anton said, bowing. “Sweet dreams.”
    There were
murmurs from the prince and his advisor but she had no ears for
them. All Alecia could concentrate on was leaving the room without
falling over her skirts. She swept past the page without her
customary goodnight and fled up the central staircase to her
room.
     
    Vard stalked back
to his quarters in the guard barracks, hand grasping the smooth
stone at his neck, his mind in turmoil. He liked having the element
of surprise on his side, not used against him and he could well do
without minding a spoiled prince’s daughter, no matter how
appealing. And she had been
tempting in the lavender silk and lace that emphasized her tiny
waist and revealed an expanse of generous bosom. She was perhaps a
little thinner than he generally liked, but that stunning smile
transformed her; made him forget her imperfections.
    She had
seemed discomforted at his presence, which puzzled him. Perhaps she
was embarrassed that he had seen her stumble. She had barely raised
her eyes all night. He usually had the opposite effect on women.
They were drawn to him like moths to a flame -- and his flame was just as likely to
burn. That was why he kept his distance. Involvement with Vard
Anton could only lead to harm. Therein lay the danger of this
latest task, but if he could protect the princess while remaining
aloof, she’d be safe from him and from whomever sought to harm
her.
    Vard frowned.
He was fooling himself. It wouldn’t be easy, perhaps not even
possible to walk the fine line between protecting the princess and
placing her at risk; already her smile danced in his memory. He
recalled the sway of Alecia’s hips when she