Free The Princes Bound [The Princes Book 1] by Robin Danner Page A

of her own.
    Her father wished for grandchildren, but she'd allowed no room in her plans for a husband and children. Who would want to marry her anyway?
    Not many men would look with fondness upon a woman who'd earned her keep by fighting for her kingdom. Nadia had killed before. She had not enjoyed it, but it had been necessary to protect Noventia. No man wanted such a wife.
    Some men had courted her, she'd even had a few proposals, but they'd only been infatuated by the challenge she presented, not the woman she was.
    The prince wants you .
    Nadia ignored her inner voice. He did not want her for a wife, merely a mate to warm his bed. He would someday find a woman like Rowena, a lady who'd been taught from birth to take her rightful place at her husband's side.
    When that day came, her heart would break.
    If things were different, if she were anyone other than who she was, she would damn the consequences and throw herself wholeheartedly into an affair with the prince. But she was Collin d'Arcy's daughter, born into a family that treasured honor and loyalty above all else.
    She may not have had the upbringing most girls did, but she had not been brought up to be a light-skirt. She would not shame her family or herself.
    Mathis stood near the window of his brother's study and sipped from a glass of the brandy he'd found on the sideboard. Nadia had passed in front of the window at least three times in the past hour, so she couldn't have known he was there. Once she'd accused him of spying on her. Today he was guilty of it, but she'd left him no choice. He'd vowed not to seek her out unless she expressed a desire for him to do so. Earlier that day he'd happened upon her accidentally, and he was glad he had. When he saw Nadia surrounded by Roarke's men, his heart nearly stopped. She had not been happy to see him though.
    Now he was forced to linger at the window just to catch a glimpse of her.
    He'd come to his brother's study to write yet another round of urgent letters to his council during his absence, but he'd been unable to concentrate once he'd noticed Nadia pass by the window. His papers lay forgotten on the table, the ink long since dried on his quill. His kingdom was in peril, yet he couldn't stop thinking about her. He was frustrated with the entire situation, his attraction for Nadia and the possibility the rebels would turn their attention to Isidor. The sound of the door opening and closing alerted him to the fact he was no longer alone. He turned away from the window and faced his brother, grateful for the distraction.
    "I caught a glimpse of Rowena. She is quite beautiful."
    Talin's face was inscrutable. “Yes, she is."
    Mathis poured another glass of brandy and offered it to his brother. “Are you prepared to marry her?"
    Talin's lips curved into something that presented a vague resemblance of a smile. “Of course I am. She appears biddable enough."
    She would have to be to survive her father .
    Mathis didn't speak his true thoughts aloud. He didn't know the girl and knew even less about her life, but he couldn't imagine it had been easy with a man such as Roarke as her father.
    Talin's eyes bored into his. “You will attend tonight, won't you?"
    He wanted to answer in the negative, but he'd agreed to make a token appearance at the festivities leading up to the wedding.
    He tossed back the remainder of his drink and refilled his glass. “If I must, but see to it that I'm seated as far away from that man as possible."
    "Agreed.” Talin took a seat and sighed deeply. “There has been another rebel attack. Near Wainswright."
    Mathis set his glass aside and gave his brother his full attention. He would be sure to dictate this new information in his letter to his advisors. “Were there many casualties?"
    "A few. I plan to ask Nadia to travel there to ascertain the damage."
    Mathis reached for his glass and took another sip as he assumed a casual note of interest in his voice. “Do you think it's safe for a