Veri straightened her hat and fixed her fingerless gloves before she walked into the royal stables. The day was warm, almost hot with the humidity pressing close against her skin. She was grateful it was still early in the day and the sun had not yet reached its peak. One of the royal hostlers quickly approached her as she waited in the expansive entrance.

Prince Asher was nowhere to be seen, but Veri was confident he hadn’t left on his ride yet. He’d barely left the council room before her and she’d paid enough gold to the servants to know what time he planned to ride after the meeting.

“What can I do for you, milady?” the hostler asked with a bow.

“I would like to take a relaxing ride. As an experienced rider I expect an adequate feline.” Veri wandered down the main hall of the stables with huge stalls on either side. Most of them were empty, but some of the galinas lounged, well-behaved as they watched her pass. The glowing green orbs of their eyes were unblinking and Veri had to remind herself they were all trained.

There were activities set up for all of the visiting nobles to participate in. There were the usual card games, tours, the allure of the city, and any number of lessons one could participate in, but Veri didn’t need more dance lessons or archery lessons. She needed to get Asher to propose to her.

The stables were so much larger than she had originally thought. They went all the way back into the mountain that protected the back of the palace. The stables became cooler the further in she went and the sol-powered lights grew brighter as the sun strained to reach the depths.

“Seems as though you found me, Lady Veri,” Asher said, his voice reaching her through the darkness like a dream.

Veri turned towards the sound and saw him standing in a stall and brushing a galina taller than the prince. The feline licked her chops as she stared at Veri. The galina’s eyes weren’t the normal green, but a bright blue and they studied Veri as though she might be the tastiest of foods. Veri took a deep breath and let it out slowly, ensuring she had no fear before brazenly entering the stall. Galinas were dangerous and deadly. They normally took to one rider and tolerated only those who could dominate.

Veri never hesitated as she reached for the beautiful feline. Its midnight black fur matched the prince’s hair. Veri held her head high before placing her hand over the galina’s nose and her scent filled the feline’s nostrils. She had to keep her grip firm as the galina tried to buck her hand off, but Veri gripped the reins and yanked down to stare into those blue eyes.

They stared at each other for an entire minute and Veri could feel Asher watching her by the prickle between her shoulders. Finally, the feline accepted her dominance and bowed her head before licking Veri’s hand.

She scratched the galina behind the ears and smiled in victory. “What is her name?” she asked the prince.

He didn’t smile back, only watched her closely as he brushed the large cat with long, smooth strokes. Veri watched the attention to detail, the strength in each stroke, and she felt mesmerized. The muscles in his arms were thick and corded. The galina began to purr.

Veri understood exactly how the feline felt. If Asher stroked her that way…she cleared her throat and turned back to the blue-eyed feline.

“You are lucky Nova did not decide you would be more delicious than the food brought to her.” Asher rubbed the galina’s shoulders with affection.

Veri scratched under the feline’s large chin and gave a slight shrug. “My family specializes in breeding and training the galina. I know exactly how dangerous they are and how affectionate they can be.” She shot a look at the prince to let him know she could see the same in him as well. “I’ve learned how to be dominating and therefore they never question me.”

Asher finally gave her a small smile. “You are dominating?” he teased with raised eyebrows.

For whatever reason his implication made Veri blush despite being no stranger to such games.

Asher grabbed his saddle and hefted it onto Nova’s back. The feline did not react in the slightest. She was trained well. Getting the galina used to the saddles, let alone to accept one was one of the biggest challenges in their training. The felines were wild and unpredictable by nature. If they were not properly cared for and trained they would revert back to their natural instincts and rip apart their owners in their sleep.

It took a strong person to ride them which was why they normally only had the one rider. Only the dominants could care for all of them. The submissives had to raise and care for a galina from birth. It was the only way to stay alive.

“Lady Veri, I have your mount waiting for you.” The royal hostler appeared before the door to Nova’s stall.

She nodded and gave the feline one more scratch before heading out of the stall carefully – deliberate and slow. As soon as the door was closed behind her she turned back to the prince. “Would you mind if I joined you on your ride?” she asked.

Prince Asher tightened the saddle on Nova and tugged on it to make sure it was securely in place before he turned back to her. “I would not mind as long as you can keep up with me,” he said in an almost playful tone.

The sparkle in his eyes surprised Veri but she felt herself rising to the challenge. “Oh, only if I can keep up?” she teased. “It is you who will have to keep up with me, my prince.” She gave him a wink and followed the hostler to her mount’s stall.

The galina was smaller than Nova but still tall. The male’s shoulders reached her head and he hunkered down at her approach and hissed. Veri didn’t hesitate and she didn’t stop. She yanked the door open and stalked into the stall towards the feline. She grabbed him by the bridle and pulled down hard. She hissed back, right in his face, getting her scent all over him. The male resisted but she held his head in place despite the struggle. Veri was careful of his claws as he scrabbled against the stone.

She yanked again so the galina was forced to look in her eyes. After a few seconds he lowered them, submitting to her. The second he did she rewarded him with sweet words and scratches behind the ears as she inspected him. The bridle had a jeweled nameplate across his forehead with his name etched into it.

‘Mekhi’ had tawny fur and stripes along his back. The saddle was already in place and she gave it a quick check as she inspected his legs and his reaction to her touch. As her hands travelled over his back he began to purr and butted his head against her. She nearly fell over with the force of it and she laughed.

Veri gave his front legs a hard tap and he knelt down for her. Her hands wrapped in the fur on his neck and she swung herself up. With a yank on the reins she turned them in a tight circle until he faced the open door of the stall.

With a bound he ran towards the entrance of the stables. There was a shout behind her and Veri glanced back to see Prince Asher and Nova hot on her heels. She pressed her thighs together briefly and Mekhi increased his speed. Hostlers jumped out of their way and her feline snarled at them in delight. As soon as they crossed the threshold the sun shone down hot and bright on their backs.

Veri pulled slightly on the reins and directed her mount towards the forest where she could let him run as fast and wild as he wanted. All she would do was hold on and enjoy the air whipping her hair, the smell of the plants and trees, and the quiet rhythm of Mekhi’s paws on the rich dirt.

She looked back and saw Asher and Nova closing the distance. The grin on his face as he leaned forward, egging her on made Veri laugh with joy. She had never seen him look so happy before. The wild freedom of the galina ran through her veins and made her feel more alive than she had since she left Priea. Veri threw her head back and laughed as they broke through the line of trees into the shadowed forest.

“Don’t slow down, lady, or you might lose the race!” Prince Asher called as he caught up to her. The loping run of the galinas required skill to stay on and he looked so good doing it. It was effortless for the prince and he even had one hand on the reins, not two. He was born to ride the felines. There was no other explanation.

Mekhi snarled at Nova and then Nova swiped in return. Thankfully her mount dodged in time and the only thing damaged was her skirt. There was the sound of ripping and tearing, but it could have been her leg. Veri leaned forward and pressed her legs into Mekhi’s sides again to urge him to run faster. He launched himself forward and leapt over a wall of fallen logs.

She let him go where he wished as long as he kept his speed. Asher kept pace with her and managed to pass her a few times. The forest was a blur, the sun shooting through the leaves and flickering so quickly she was nearly blind. Veri trusted Mekhi’s superior senses of the forest. When he moved she let her body move with him, leaning into the sharp turns and bracing herself just enough when he leapt.

Nova was getting ahead of them and they were losing ground. Her longer legs had a huge advantage and Mekhi slowed down as she felt him pant. Veri may not win the race, but she could win the game. She allowed Mekhi to slow down even further and then fell back far enough that Nova and Asher disappeared among the trees.

As soon as she couldn’t see either of them anymore she gave Mekhi a tug and then held on tight. The feline hunched down and then leapt straight up. His claws dug deeply into the bark of a tree. He climbed up the trunk until he was high among the branches and stayed about midlevel where the strong ones would hold their weight.

Silent and deadly, her mount went after the prince and Nova. The leaves hardly rustled as he prowled from branch to branch and tree to tree. Finally they caught up to the two where Asher had stopped to search the forest for her and Mekhi. He called out her name a few times, but she stayed quiet as Mekhi stalked out to a branch directly above Nova and Asher.

Veri gave her mount a tap and he dropped from the tree as silent as the gentle god himself. He grabbed onto Nova and they rolled to the ground. Veri jumped from the saddle before the large felines could squash her. Asher yelped in surprise and followed suit. She laughed and rolled until he was on his back and she straddled him.

“I win,” she said with a grin.

He growled and his large hands gripped her waist hard, and then he tossed her to the ground. Asher rolled over her and pinned her arms above her head, his hips pressing into hers hard enough to bruise.

Asher smiled then and her breathing hitched at the look of possession on his face. “I believe you did win.” He bent down and rubbed his nose along her jaw down to her neck, breathing her in. “You’re extremely clever, Veri,” he murmured against her sensitive skin.

She shuddered at the vibration in his voice and closed her eyes. Asher did terrible things to her. He set off every part of her that wanted to be possessed and dominated. His whole being demanded she relinquish control and Veri was so tired of always being the dominant. It exhausted her at times, and Asher seemed to sense it.

Hayden had always let her take control in everything; in their relationship and in their lovemaking. She thought she had enjoyed the dominance until she met Asher.

The prince nipped her neck and Veri gasped in surprise. Liquid heat settled in her belly and sparked an ache between her legs. She could feel herself become wet as he pressed his hips harder into her and his hand fisted her hair tight enough to sting.

“Do you like this?” he asked roughly, tightening his one-handed grip on her wrists.

Veri could only nod. She did like it and wanted more. Her hips lifted and she couldn’t help the almost animalistic reaction she had to him.

“Tell me you like it,” he growled, demanding and harsh. Asher’s gentle kiss on her jaw was so at odds with the rough way he handled her that she moaned, and then she felt his cock harden.

“I like it, mia principe; my prince.” Her breath hitched and she bit down on her lip to keep from moaning again as she throbbed with need.

His lips finally reached hers and he gave her the softest of kisses before running his hot tongue across her bottom lip. “Tell me I won,” he demanded.

“You won,” she gasped, arching up against his chest.

With a grin he released her and left her panting on the ground. The ache between her legs demanded release but she ignored it. Veri wanted the prince more than she was willing to admit, but she wanted to gain his confidence and trust before anything else. She cleared her throat and sat up, straightening her skirts as the prince went to round up the felines.

There was a darkness to him she liked even if it scared her. Every time Veri thought she had the upper hand he surprised her. Perhaps she wasn’t the one seducing him. Maybe he was the one seducing her.

Veri picked the leaves out of her hair and tried to ignore the dampness she could feel between her legs, dripping onto her thighs. Her skin was tight and her control was in shreds. She told herself the physical reaction was because she enjoyed these games, not because Asher’s hard cock and dominating attitude made her soaking wet.

Once the felines were secure, Asher left them to play and then rejoined her on the ground with a pack. Asher pulled a blanket from the bag and laid it out. Then he held his hand out to her.

Veri smiled. “You weren’t planning for me to join you, were you?” she asked playfully. She took the prince’s hand and let him help her onto the blanket.

Asher didn’t respond as he turned back to the pack. He pulled out a bottle of wine and some fruit and cheese. “What if I did?” Asher handed her the bottle. “I didn’t bring glasses, but I have a feeling my wild female doesn’t need them.” He gave her that small smile again and her belly fluttered with the knowledge she’d only seen him smile for her and his sister.

Veri took the bottle and uncorked it. She brought it to her lips and maintained eye contact as she tossed her head back and drank. It felt unrefined and glorious. “I don’t know if I’m ‘wild’ but there are times protocol is stifling,” she admitted, leaning back onto her elbows.

Asher took the bottle from her and sipped. “I understand what you mean,” he said. “As a prince I must follow protocol to the letter or suffer the punishment.”

As a prince Asher had many items on his plate he simply couldn’t ignore. If Veri were to become a princess she would have to accept certain freedoms she enjoyed would become limited. Not only would she have to give up her right to rule Priea, but she would have to join the royal females in their activities, such as the weekly royal tea the princesses attended with the dowager queen at that very moment.

The royal tea had been exclusive and from her inspection of the solar the room had top-notch, state-of-the-art anti-surveillance tech. It was smart even though it aggravated Veri she couldn’t listen in. Originally she planned to get an invite, or somehow slip in a listening device, but there was no opportunity to plant one and the tea was for royalty only. Until she was engaged to a prince, Veri would never receive an invitation.

And she wasn’t the only spy in court.

Veri wasn’t sure who worked for the Spider yet, but she had a list of potentials. Then there were the spies from other noble families, and a small part of her wondered if the Neprijat had managed to infiltrate a few of their own. Veri was supposed to relay any information she came across to her father, Lord Greyson, so they could make decisions that would help Priea.

Veri didn’t always relay all the information she came across. Her father had different goals than she.

Prince Asher took another swig of wine and watched her delicately select a berry and place it invitingly on her tongue.

Veri still sat on the intel she’d stolen from the Archduchess of Avvis and as she stared into Asher’s dark eyes an idea began to form. That information could be used to her benefit. Oh, not in the way her father would like, or even consider. But for her own benefit. The archduchess would pay for her treason, and her utter dismissal of Priea. Hayden would also pay for his betrayal through the investigation of his family. His selfish decisions, the way he’d used her, and led her on for his own pleasure had consequences.

The information may even cause the crown princess to choose another male for her husband.

To put this plan into action she needed Asher. He was the key to everything.

Thank the goddess she was insanely attracted to him, Veri would be able to kill multiple birds with one throw. “What would you do if you had the opportunity to change something?” Veri asked. “What would you want if protocol did not demand your submission to those with a higher rank?”

Only five people in the entire galaxy ranked higher than him, but it seemed to chafe. Veri rolled until she was on her stomach, arms propping her up and gave him a secret smile. “I promise I won’t tell anyone.”

Asher hesitated for a moment. “Well,” he hedged. “I want to make a difference with our people, and that can only be done in a position of power whether that power comes as king, a ruling nobleman, or a council position. As the fourth-born royal I will only have as much power as I can take for myself.” He rolled onto his side to face her and propped his elbow up to keep his upper body off the ground. “You will have more power than I currently do once you inherit and become Marquess of Priea.”

His following shrug was anything but carefree. Asher’s frown deepened and he took another swig, every muscle tight as he radiated anger. Interesting that a prince would envy her position, Veri never would have suspected such a thing. She put a hand on his arm to comfort him and squeezed. “All right then, my prince. What would you do if you were king?” To suggest a lower position would only insult him.

He shot her a sharp glance. “To speak of such things is treasonous.”

Veri was surprised at his reaction. It was only hypothetical and therefore not treasonous, but if he thought it would be…

“Yes, but only a generation ago you would have been the heir, and the crown prince. The law changed right before your birth,” she pressed. “It changed our history forever.”

Veri was grateful the new law allowed for her to rule, regardless that she was female. But she could imagine how frustrating it might be to know only a few cycles later and Asher would be the crown prince, not Raena. And with the new law he was fourth in line to the throne, after Giselle and Adelina. Neither of them seemed to possess the skills required to rule, but Asher?

“If you were able to change anything, what would it be?” she asked again.

“I would make sure more supplies and resources would be sent to the outer rim as well as improving the schools and hospitals there. Treaties would be sent to the Hai galaxy. Scouts would be sent to explore the universe so surprises such as the Neprijat didn’t happen. The gold we spend on the sciences would be increased. At the moment we spend too much of our budget on improving the core instead of making sure all our citizens have what they need to survive well. Raena has trained her entire life to rule, yet she knows very little of the people and their desires in the outer rim.” The prince handed her the bottle of wine and then turned to watch the felines.

Veri drank only a sip as she thought about the prince’s words. She could tell he wanted to help his people, but he also wanted to be king. Why else would he think his words would be treasonous? He could accomplish all he said and more as a member of the council. With royal blood they would be more inclined to listen to him as would the soon-to-be queen, Raena. No, he wanted the power for himself; he wanted to make sure they would not deny his demands.

She placed a hand on his arm and waited until he looked at her. “I think you would have made an excellent king, one who could rival the love for King Orion,” she said with conviction. Asher truly had softness inside the prickly exterior and Veri could feel herself falling for him whether she wanted to or not. “The people would have adored you. It is a shame you will not rule.”

Asher watched her closely. “Perhaps I underestimated you, Lady Veri,” he said. Asher rolled on top of her and his burning gaze pinned her just as strongly as his weight did. “You are truly one of a kind. I hadn’t expected that.” Then he kissed her, his lips and tongue demanding.

His rough kiss excited her; mind, body, and soul.

“Thank you,” Veri murmured against his lips. She squirmed with pleasure as his hands travelled up her skirts to explore her willing body. His cock was hard against her stomach and he growled his dominance and lust.

Veri couldn’t control her body’s reaction to that demand. Her fingers clutched Asher’s shoulders and she arched her back, pressing herself into him. She parted her legs for the prince, allowing him access. His fingers dove into her wet center and Veri moaned as the sensation pulled at her, making her buck her hips to try and lessen the ache. She wanted more than his fingers between her legs.

She pulled his hand away and ripped the clasp of his pants open. “Take me,” she demanded, yanking down the cloth. Asher did as she commanded and then thrust into her, rough and hard.

His cock stretched and filled her with a glorious pain. The sensation made her eyes flutter closed and she threw her head back in ecstasy. His hand on her throat pressed down just hard enough while his other gently teased her nipples through the soft, thin fabric of her dress.

Asher knew exactly what she liked and gave it to her without mercy. How he knew was beyond her, but Veri didn’t care as he thrust again, filling her completely.

Asher ground his hips against hers and Veri rode him, taking what he gave her. She craved more as the pressure continued to build. The pleasure made her blind. She held onto him tightly, as though she were drowning and he the one to pull her from the water.

“Do you want me?” the prince growled, each word in time with a stroke of his cock.

Veri could barely form the words as the pleasure overwhelmed and surprised her. No lover had ever been this rough and demanding. She adored it.

“Yes, your highness, mia principe,” she gasped as the pleasure peaked.

Then she breathed his name again and lost herself in him as he roared and thrust into her one last time. She clenched around him and Veri rode the pleasure in waves as his hot seed filled her. His cock pulsed and she rode his orgasm ruthlessly until he collapsed against her.

Veri murmured loving words against his neck as she stroked his hair, basking in the sated glow. She whispered all the things she would do to him; all the things she would do for him, and more. Prince Asher had been a surprise she’d never anticipated, but Veri felt herself drowning in his scent, losing herself in the feelings he evoked inside her.

Asher was everything she didn’t know she wanted, and more.