The Warrior and the Petulant Princess Read Online Free Page B

stared at Delina for some kind of clue, but she was already back at her desk with her head focused on some papers in front of her.
    Father has arranged a dinner to welcome him? What is going on? I knew there was a banquet tonight, but for Larian? First I’ve heard of this.
    Though Lizbett was anxious to speak, to ask a thousand-and-one questions, Larian’s quiet scolding was keeping her tongue still, but she was determined to interrogate him the moment they were alone. As she caught up to him in the hallway he lowered his lips to her ear.
    “You will come into the chamber with me and stay quietly. You will not speak until I ask you to. Understood?”
    “What? Why?” she muttered.
    “Understood has only two possible answers,” he quipped, “neither of which I heard.”
    “But-”
    “You have one more chance to answer correctly.”
    “Oh, uh, yes,” she mumbled.
    “Yes, what?”
    “Uh, yes, Larian, I understand,” she whispered.
    A trembling warmth was flooding her sex, and as they moved up the few steps to the landing that would lead into Chamber Five, she felt a sudden weakness and leaned against the wall for support. Larian, with a knowing look in his eye, smiled down at her.
    “Lizbett? Do you need help?”
    “No, I’m fine, just a bit…uh…I’m fine,” she stammered.
    The boy had already entered the room and was placing the bag on the low trunk at the foot of the bed.
    “If you’re fine, then please go in ahead of me and sit down,” he said softly. “I don’t need you fainting, but the rule still applies. You will not speak until I give you permission.”
    “But why?” she mumbled.
    She was rewarded with a smile and a shake of his head, and with a swift move of his hand he grabbed her elbow and began to shuffle her inside.
    “I can manage,” she said curtly, but when she attempted to pull her elbow from his grasp she found it impossible.
    “Thank you, boy, that will be all.”
    The boy had been standing next to the bag with his eyes downcast, and with a quick nod he hurried out the door closing it behind him.
    “Would you please let go of me and tell me who you are?” Lizbett demanded. “I mean, who you are really? Why were you working here as a stable hand if you’re someone so important? I don’t understand any of this.”
    Dropping her elbow Larian moved across to the door and checked that it was locked, then returning swiftly to his bag he withdrew what looked like a horse’s bit, but it had thin leather straps on either end.
    “You are a very naughty girl,” Larian declared walking towards her. “I gave you a simple instruction and you not only chose to ignore it, you began questioning me as if I was one of your servants.”
    “I have a right to know about-”
    “You will sit, immediately,” he growled, “unless you want me to turn you over my knee again, and bare your bottom for more punishment.”
    “You wouldn’t, not here, not in the castle,” she gasped. “No, you wouldn’t.”
    “If you don’t sit down right now, you’ll find out,” he said sternly.
    Quivering, Lizbett moved quickly to the chair by the desk near the fireplace and perched herself on the edge of the seat.
    “Wise decision,” he said solemnly. “Now, with no back talk, no arguments, no questions, close your eyes and open your mouth.”
    She stared at the odd bit-like object in his hand, a rush of fear shivering through her, but afraid he would indeed, throw her over his lap and bare her bottom, she did as he instructed.
    It was a flash of seconds before the rubber bit was between her lips, and the leather straps were being buckled behind her head. She let out a muffled cry of protest, but the bit was effective and she couldn’t form any words.
    “There, now perhaps I can have a moment or two of peace, and you will learn another lesson. When I instruct you to be quiet and not speak until I give permission, I mean it. If you don’t wish to obey me then you will face the