The Prince's Bride (Modern Fairytales) Read Online Free Page A

but caved like a house of playing cards. “Alicia Forkes, Your Majesty.”
    “Traitor,” Leo hissed, mentally planning his revenge against Harry. It involved his royal sword shoved up his fucking—
    “Alicia?” The king squinted. “Isn’t that the name of the American from before?”
    “Yes.” Leo forced a calmness to his face, which he didn’t quite feel. “We ran into each other at a nightclub I visited after the ball.”
    “I always enjoyed her frank speech and free spirit,” his father said, acting far too excited for Leo to let down his guard. “Something the Americans do so well. She reminded me of your mother when she was younger, before we married. Was she happy to see you, after all the time spent apart?”
    “Not exactly.” Leopold glanced at his pompous aide, who was glowering at him as if he’d somehow insulted him , and then back to his dad. “In fact, she didn’t even remember me at all.”
    Harry choked on his sip of coffee.
    His father frowned. “Are you certain it wasn’t a game?”
    “It wasn’t,” Leopold said flatly. “Not only did she not remember me, but she also ran out on me last night after we… spoke .”
    “How very American of her,” Harry said sardonically, patting his mouth with the edge of a napkin as he set down his coffee. But that did nothing to hide the narrowness of his eyes. “Well, then, back to the photos? We have another meeting at—”
    His father raised a hand, silencing the other man immediately. Leo tensed, because he knew what was coming—and he didn’t like it one bit. “Wait. Why would she run away from a mere conversation?”
    Leo cursed inwardly, but smiled. “I don’t know. How much sleep did you get—?”
    “You’re hiding something.” His father frowned even deeper, then his face lit up with intuition—which was the last thing Leo needed right now. “You were intimate with this woman last night, weren’t you?”
    “I…” He gritted his teeth. No matter how much he might wish otherwise, he couldn’t lie to his father. “Whatever happened is my business.”
    “Hmmm.” His father pointed at him. “When it affects you, it is my business. And I know my son, and the face he makes when he’s hiding something.”
    Leo gritted his teeth, nodding once.
    “Well, then, you know what you have to do.”
    Leo stiffened. If he did this to Alicia, she’d never forgive him, and he wouldn’t get a shot at that second chance with her he’d always wished he could have. “I can’t, not with her. She’s not like us. She won’t understand. And it’s such an outdated custom that really needs to be—”
    “It doesn’t matter who she is, or where she came from. You were with her, and you can’t risk that there might have been an heir created in the process.” His father picked up the pen on his desk and frowned at it before setting it down. “You’re well aware of our laws and customs, and you know that if a future ruler might have been created, a child that could possibly run our country one day, you have to detain the woman in question—no questions asked. It’s our way.”
    Leo clenched his jaw, remaining silent.
    If he brought her here under those circumstances, under outdated laws…
    No. No fucking way.
    He shook his head. “I can’t do it. Not to her. And I was careful. I always am.”
    “Did you sleep with her?” his father asked slowly.
    He cast a quick glance at Harry. His aide glowered disapprovingly at him.
    Leo swallowed. “Yes.”
    “Then she has to stay. She’s a flight risk.” His father frowned. “I outrank you, son. If I say something needs to be done, then it’ll get done, whether you like it or not.”
    Leo remained silent because it was true.
    He was the king, after all.
    His father rested a hand on his shoulder, sighing. “I’m sorry, but it must be done. Think of it this way. You’ll be under the same roof with her. Maybe it’ll give you that second chance you always wanted. I remember you pining