I watch as disappointment hits Star’s face, and it makes my chest ache. I never wanted my wife to feel an ounce of sadness, and day one, I’ve failed.

People will look at us and think what they want, but I know in my heart that I’ve wanted Star since the moment we met.

She’s been the one that I was never good enough for. A princess truly made for a king. But, being second in line to my throne, I would never be able to give her the title she deserves. I know that she has her own land and that who she marries will take over, but it’s not the same. I have money and land, but so does she. What could I possibly offer her that she doesn’t already have?

In the past, I’ve given her a hard time, teased her and driven her crazy. But it was the only way to hide what I felt for her. I needed to disguise the intense desire to make her mine, to claim her and her title and breed an heir into her womb. I wanted to take what was mine by birthright and spread my royal seed in her. But I knew her tender heart, and I knew above everything that she wanted love.

I’ve been portrayed as a party guy who can’t keep his dick in his pants, the younger brother to the next king of our land, and I’ve never been taken seriously. I’ve never done anything to stop those rumors, and now I’m seeing the error in that.

I watched Star at the wedding last night, watched her the way I always do, wanting her, wishing for her, and never allowing myself to have her. I’d stood by and watched my brother become the happiest man on earth, and all I could feel was jealousy. I knew where my happiness lay, and she was on the other side of the room with another man. I couldn’t stand it any longer, and I asked her to dance.

She thought I was teasing at first and said yes as she proceeded to indulge me. But as the night went on and I wouldn’t let her out of my arms, something changed between us. I knew that I would no longer do the right thing. I knew when her body pressed against mine that I was no longer an honorable prince. I was a king by blood, and I would claim what I wanted.

We found the officiant at the reception and he made the blessings in a private part of the castle, binding Star and me together in marriage, entwining our souls for eternity. She was finally mine. No one knew what we did, but I knew in time we could tell the world. I wanted this stolen day with her. Maybe even two, in order to consummate our marriage and fulfill our royal duties to breed an heir.

I knew that the champagne she drank had gone straight to her head. But I’m a man of low morals and married her anyway. This was my one chance to have her for myself, and I wasn’t going to pass it up.

When we got back to my room and she stripped bare, I was finally tested beyond my control. I didn’t touch her the way she wanted me to. Instead, I protected her virtue and held her all night, no matter how badly my body cried out for her. I wouldn’t make love to my wife until she was fully aware of what was happening. She was mine to do with as I wished in the eyes of the royal law, but deep down I knew why I stopped.

I wanted the same thing as Star, to have a love that went to the core of my heart. I knew I could have that with her, if only she’d give me the chance. I wanted to explain the truth about who I am and what I want.

“This was a mistake,” she says with tears in her eyes again as she rips the sheet from the bed and stands up, wrapping it around her. “God knows how dirty this sheet is. I hope at least your servants give you fresh linens after all the conquest you’ve had in here.”

“What are you talking about?” I ask, sitting up, utterly shocked at her reaction. I reach for her, but she takes a step back, and it makes me angry.

“Don’t you dare deny me,” I say, gritting my teeth. Seeing her step away from me makes anger flow through my veins.

“Guards!” she shouts, and I watch as two of my security charge into my bedroom.

“Get out!” I bark, but they take a look at the state of the princess and then at me. “I’m giving you a royal command to get out of our room.”

My shout echoes off the walls, and they take a step back. But just as they do, Star runs and hides behind them.

“Prince Romy has brought me here under false pretenses. I demand an escort back to my palace.”

“I’m your king now,” I say, and point to the floor in front of me. “And if you don’t get your royal ass back over here, there’s going to be hell to pay, Star. Princess or not, the law is on my side.”

She glares at me, but she knows I’m right. “We’ll see about that.” With that, she storms out, tightening the sheet around her.

I go to run after her and then realize I’m still completely naked. I panic and look around the room for my pants from last night, but I can’t find them.

“Fucking hell,” I growl and then grab a pair of sweats out of my drawer.

Turning around, I see both of my guards haven’t moved.

“Don’t just stand there, you idiots. Go after her!”

I push past them and run down the hall as fast as I can. Just when I make it down the hall and to the stairs, I see a streak of white as Star runs out of the palace and out the front door.

“Wait, Star! Stop!” I nearly fall down the stairs trying to get to her, and when I get to the front door, I jerk it open without thinking.

I’m immediately assaulted by flashes of cameras and paparazzi yelling questions at me. I see the back end of a limo driving away, but it’s soon swallowed by the crowd of reporters shouting at me.

I want to scream in frustration, but it will only give them more lies to tell. So instead, I go back into my house and slam the door.

I stand there for half a second before I’m forming a plan. I’ve got to get dressed, get past those assholes, and get my princess back.

She can run, but she can’t hide.