Flames of Auriel (A Caeles Adventure Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

He blew a kiss to the ladies in his bed, while he hopped out the door boots in hand. The two vixens in Asher’s bed ended up making him more than a few minutes late. So much so that he was still tying his breeches up as he hurried down the corridor toward the receiving room.
    “Well? Where is he?” His mother’s irate voice could be heard from out in the corridor.
    “I’m sure he will be here any moment, your majesty.” Asher made a mental note to thank his friend for covering for him – again.
    “Maybe someone should go get him?”
    This came from a voice Asher did not recognize. It was definitely female and had a sort of purr to it. Did Zoe bring some one with her this year? He knew her father was not coming, so perhaps she felt the need for extra companionship. Whoever she was, Asher hoped she could help be a buffer between him and his temperamental princess.
    “Ah, there he is!” Bryce announced as Asher came around the corner. “I told you he was on his way. Asher wouldn’t miss such an important event, would you Asher?”
    Asher ignored the look his friend was giving him and went to greet his mother. “Good morning, mother.” He placed a kiss upon her cheek.
    “Nice to see you finally joined us.” His mother crinkled her nose and hissed. “You couldn’t have bothered to bathe first? Bryce said you had overslept, but that was over an hour ago. What were you doing this whole time?”
    “I was feeling a bit nervous and went to work it out. I fear I may have over done it.” The lie fell from Asher’s lips without a stutter.
    “It must have been some workout to leave such bruising on your neck, Prince Asher.” This came from Zoe’s old nurse maid, Alice. The disapproving frown on her face said she did not believe his story for one minute. “You had better get that checked out at the infirmary. Wouldn’t want it to get infected.”
    “Alice, so nice to see you again.” The prince leaned over the elder woman’s hand to place a kiss on the back of it.
    Alice scoffed and removed her hand from his, leaving him to stare at a violet-colored skirt standing in her place. Asher’s grey eyes followed up the skirt and over subtle hips and a small-cinched waist. The arms crossed over a small but ample chest were covered by long sleeves, but still showed a hint of the toned arms beneath.
    The prince swallowed hard. He feared to let his eyes trail higher to find out if that voice really belonged to someone he was not thrilled to see. His eyes follow up the slender neck to lock onto amber eyes. Those eyes held a hint of amusement, but underneath it all a burning rage.
    Her lips were moving, but his eyes were too transfixed on the changes in her face to understand what they were saying. It was so familiar, but somehow different. Had her lashes always been so long?  Her skin so smooth? How had she snuck up on him like this? The red hair was the same, pinned up in a simple fashion, but when did she grow into her limbs? Certainly, not in a few short months?
    “Asher.” Someone called to him. “Asher!”
    “What?” It came out louder than he meant, causing him wince at the glare his mother gave him. “Sorry, mother. What did you say?”
    “Your betrothed asked you a question.”
    Asher turned to the woman before him again, for she was most certainly a woman and not the bratty child he had grown up with. “I apologize. Would you repeat the question?”
    Zoe smirked as if she knew some kind of secret he did not. “I asked if you were looking forward to your mother’s ball.”
    “Ball? I didn’t know anything about a ball?” He lifted a brow at his mother.
    “Of course you did dear. I told you about it weeks ago.” His mother approached him from behind. “Our Zoe turned eighteen this last year and since Aurelius doesn’t celebrate a young woman’s coming of age we’re going to celebrate it for her. She is almost family.” She gave him a pointed look.
    “But do we really need another ball? Can’t