The second I see Katarina, everything changes. I can’t believe that’s her, the cute-but-awkward kid I met nearly ten years ago at a distant cousin’s wedding, because I can’t stop staring, even in front of her parents.

I think I manage some formal niceties, but hell if I know what I’m saying. All I’m thinking about is the sinfully gorgeous creature on the dais with the plush lips, blue eyes, red hair, and fucking knockout figure.

“I’m honored by your attendance, Princes Dominic and Bruno,” King Edward says.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” I manage to say, before taking my seat, almost in a daze.

She’s beautiful. Beyond beautiful, sweet and pure looking, but with a tiny waist and incredible curves just begging to be plundered, and in the second I see her, I’m determined: I’m gonna be the one to plunder her.

That’s why I’m here, after all. Except I didn’t take it seriously until this very second. My father thought that the Crown Princess and I would be a good match, so he sent me here on a pretense, but I’m really supposed to be courting her.

But let’s just say that pictures of Princess Katarina don’t come anywhere fucking close to doing her justice. I was planning on living it up at the Council, making my way through the beds of the third-born-daughters of dukes and earls, because I hate repeating myself and I’ve got a reputation to uphold.

And did I mention that she’s a virgin? Katarina is famously a virgin, the eldest daughter of a very protective, very old-fashioned king. I don’t know what it is about her beautiful face, her killer body and her untouched state, but it’s totally intoxicating, even from across the room.

Now I’m a little more interested in my stated mission.

At last, the formal reception ends. The royal family walks out ahead of us, and then we all follow. I’m still thinking about Katarina, imagining pushing her dress over her hips and bending her over the throne.

“Holy shit,” Bruno says, his voice low, his serious eyes looking straight ahead. “Was that Katarina?”

Something cold and heavy sinks into my stomach. He saw her, too? I know we’re here for the same reason, but he was taking it about as seriously as I was — until now, apparently.

“Yes, I think it was,” I say, keeping my voice totally neutral.

I was with Bruno the last time I saw her, too. We were a little older than her, and already getting into plenty of trouble together at our Swiss boarding school, so we didn’t have a lot of time for her back then.

Besides, she was a kid, and even though I could tell she had an obvious crush on each of us, it’s not like it went anywhere. Bruno and I went back to school and proceeded to get into the panties of nearly every girl on campus.

Usually solo, but sometimes — sometimes — together.

I wonder if she’s still got a crush.

I wonder if she’s as sweet and innocent as she looks, or if she’d give up that innocence to the right person.

I wonder...

“We have a few hours until dinner,” Bruno says, his voice still formal. “Did you have plans?”

I give him a funny look.

“What plans, exactly, would I have?”

“You do make plans without telling me sometimes, you know.”

“What have you got in mind?”

“A stroll through the gardens,” he says. “I hear they’re quite lovely this time of year.”

What Bruno really means is I want to get away from all these people. Despite being born into royalty, he’s never been much of a people person. Really, it was a blessing that he was born the second son.

Kings have to do a lot of dealing with people, especially in modern times. It’s been a few hundred years since they could just order someone’s head cut off and not worry about it.

“I’ve heard the same,” I say. “And I’ll join you, if the offer’s open.”

We stroll through the castle to the gardens, not talking much, but we don’t really need to talk. Our kingdoms, San Javier and Materbourg, are both small mountainous countries that neighbor each other, so we’ve known each other since we were toddlers.

Plus, we’re both the second son, and both have older brothers who will be king someday. We’re destined for a life of diplomacy, state affairs, and marrying advantageously.

To Katarina, for example.

And of course, when you’re a royal, marrying well includes making an heir.

I can’t help but imagine that sweet, innocent girl with a huge, round belly, big with my child, and I go rock hard in a second. I don’t even know why — I’ve spent years making sure I don’t get anyone pregnant — but there’s something about her, with my kid, that makes my dick nearly burst out of my trousers.

I clear my throat as Bruno and I walk down a side hallway, toward the garden and away from the crowd. For the first time in years, I’m starting to get uncomfortable with the silence, because I’m realizing something.

Holy shit, was that Katarina wasn’t just a question. He meant holy shit, she got hot.

The exact same thing I thought when I saw her. Maybe he’s thinking the exact same thing I am, right now. Maybe he’s thinking about her, pregnant with his child.

My hands clench into fists and I take a deep breath. I’m getting way, way ahead of myself here. I haven’t even spoken to the girl yet — not that she needs to talk for what I want to do to her.

I push open the heavy wooden door to the garden and glance over at my best friend. He’s staring straight ahead, stone-faced.

I’ll do whatever it takes to get her, I think.

Anything. Anything at all.