Total pages in book: 26
Estimated words: 24103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 24103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 121(@200wpm)___ 96(@250wpm)___ 80(@300wpm)
But Matilda’s no fool.
“What does that mean?” she asks as the army literally begins advancing, the stomp of horse hooves a rumble in the distance.
I stare at her.
“I want to date,” I rasp in a low voice. “I want to get to know you without Nerilda in the picture, and I want you to stop seeing other men.”
She smiles at me, her brown eyes sparkling.
“But I never saw other men, Haakon. Not really. Not when I was with you.”
“Good,” I growl in a rough voice. “Because I’ll tear them to pieces if you do, Matilda. If you so much as even smile at another man, he’s going to be dog meat.”
She giggles then, her curls blowing in the wind.
“Really?” she asks.
I nod.
“I have a battle to fight now, as well as a horde of women to liberate, but I want you to know, Matilda. You are mine, and no other man will claim you. You belong to me.”
Then, I lean forward and press a swift kiss to those plush lips. It’s awkward because we’re both mounted on droids, but I don’t care. Her mouth parts beneath mine sweetly, and I know with absolute conviction that this is right. This sassy, impossible, curvy, intelligent woman is mine, and I want her to know it. Suddenly, a clarion call sounds behind us, its notes ripping through the air.
“You best be going,” Matilda breathes after breaking away. “I think your army needs you.”
I nod, my eyes boring into her like penetrating blue lasers.
“They do,” I rasp. “But I need you too. Wait for me, baby. Take yourself over to the tent there, and I’ll come collect you after the fighting is done.”
Then, I kiss Matilda again, her sweet form pressing against mine despite our awkward positions. But there’s a promise on my lips, and she smiles beneath my mouth.
“Go, Highness,” she whispers. “I’ll wait for you.” With that, I raise my staff, ready for the battle to begin. After all, I’ve already won Matilda Seacrest, and that’s the sweetest victory of all.
EPILOGUE
Matilda
“So what’s going to happen once you return to America?” I ask Darcy. We’re relaxing on couches in my sitting room, while snacking from a tray of cookies and sandwiches. The light glimmers from a castle window, and a gentle breeze wafts in, rustling our curls.
It’s crazy because who would have foreseen me, Matilda Seacrest, snacking on dainty finger sandwiches made from cucumber and mayonnaise? I used to be a serving wench here at the palace, wielding my mop while waiting hand and foot on the noblewomen. But now, I’m treated like royalty, and life is wonderful. I live with Haakon in his quarters, and am officially recognized as his consort by those who matter.
After all, Haakon made sure to introduce me to his father after the rescue from the Colonies.
“This is Matilda,” the handsome prince growled, still bloody from battle. “Lady Matilda,” he corrected.
“I see,” King Fjall murmured, steepling his fingers while looking at me with watery blue eyes. “And which house do you come from?”
I didn’t know what to say at first because my family’s hardly noble. But Haakon stepped in.
“The Seacrests,” he intervened. “Sworn enemies of the Rays.”
Of course, that wasn’t exactly true either, but King Fjall merely nodded as his blue eyes glinted.
“I see. And you’ve put her through her paces?” he asked his son.
Haakon smirked, his handsome features impossibly charismatic.
“Yes indeed, Father,” he drawled in a lazy tone. “And may I say that Matilda is the best I’ve ever had. I’d even let you have a taste, Dad, except that she’s mine.”
Fjall merely chuckled, his white beard shaking with laughter.
“Son, your mother keeps me busy after all these years,” he rasped. “I don’t need to sample what’s on your plate.”
And just like that, it was done. I was installed in Haakon’s quarters, and while we’re not engaged (yet), I can feel it coming down the pike. My handsome prince ravishes me each night, and he studies my curves even when we’re not in bed. He looks, is the best way to put it. This man is in love with me, and I can feel it every second of every day.
Even better, Haakon’s a good man too. Sure, he has a reputation as a dirty asshole, but that would be a rude simplification. After he rescued me from the Colonies, he also liberated the women working there. As a result, many women in indentured servitude have returned to their homelands to the relief and joy of their families. My new friend Darcy is also making plans to return to America, but I’ve invited her to the castle for a small tour before she takes off.
Darcy looks well-rested now, instead of haggard and dirty. She’s put on some pounds since being released from the penal colony, and her cheeks are round and her brown curls glossy as she pops a bite-sized sandwich into her mouth.