Free Royal Affliction (The Anti-Princess Saga) by Jennifer Marsh Page A

others not to kill him.  It was only a matter of time before someone challenged him.  He would always be in danger here.  We couldn’t stay.  “If we stay, then I cannot be with you.”
    “Why not?”
    “Because my father forbids me to be with a mixed-blood.”
    “I am sure that he will change his mind,” Violet said with unfounded optimism.
    I shook my head.  “No, he won’t.  That’s why we are leaving as soon as possible.”  I had hoped that my father might change his mind someday, but that dream had died with our little chat.  He would never change his mind, I was certain of that.  “You are welcome to come back with us, Violet.”
    She looked deep into my eyes and I could see that she wanted to but there was also fear.  She was afraid of what lay outside the safety and comfort of Kortis, her home.  She was afraid of leaving all that she had ever known for something that she knew nothing about.  I knew that feeling all too well.
    “I will think about it,” she replied which sounded remarkably like a no.
    I yawned, not realizing just how tired I was.
    Violet stood up.  “I will let you two get some rest.  We can catch up more tomorrow.  It was very nice to meet you Clifton.  I am glad that Quartessa has found someone that makes her happy.”  She smiled, then turned and walked away.
    Clifton pulled me into a sweet embrace.  “I like Violet.  She is very nice, and she thinks the world of you.”
    “She seemed quite taken with you.”
    “Jealous?”
    “A little.”
    “Well there’s no need.”  He brushed the hair out of my face.  “My heart is only for you.”
    I leaned in and pressed my lips against his.  “Let’s go to my room.”
    “Won’t your father mind?”  I just shrugged and grabbed his hand.
    I escorted him through the castle and up the long spiral staircase that lead to my tower bedroom.  When we reached my door he picked me up, cradling me in his strong arms.
    My room was just as blue and gold as it had ever been.  The walls were bewitched to look like you were underwater, like you were in a sort of reverse aquarium.  The water moved like the current of the ocean and fish swam in and out of view.  There was a king-sized four-poster bed against the far wall.  The wood was dark mahogany and it was decorated in gold satin.
    Clifton’s eyes darted everywhere.  “I love it.  Can you have it done to my apartment?”
    “Only if Violet joins us there, she did this for me as a present on my thirteenth birthday.”
    “I hope she does,” he said with sincerity.
    He carried me over to the bed and plopped me down.  The bed sloshed under me, causing my body to mimic the ripple.   He laughed.  “A waterbed huh?  I always wanted one.”
    I reached my arm out and grabbed the top of his pants, pulling him to me.  He lost his balance and fell face first onto the bed.  He plopped so hard that the bed rose where I lay, knocking me off the bed and onto the hard, stone floor.
    “You alright?”
    I lay there, stunned for a moment, before starting to laugh.  With difficulty, I climbed back onto the bed.
    Clifton was lying on his side with one arm propping his head up.  His brilliant aquamarine skin looked good against the gold satin sheets.  His long, dark hair fell around him, framing his face.  I cuddled against him, enjoying his warmth.
    He traced his fingers down my back.  “How did I get so lucky?”
    I lifted my head off of his chest and smiled at him.  “Probably the same way I did: sheer dumb luck.”
    “No, it wasn’t luck.  It was fate.”
    I wasn’t sure that I believed in fate.  Fate was just another way of saying that I had no control over my own life.  If the universe had everything planned out for me, I didn’t want to know.  I didn’t tell him any of this though.  I let him have his moment.
    ********************
    Clifton lay next to me, sleeping, and even though I was tired, sleep didn’t come as easily for me.  I tossed and turned