The creamy silk was unbelievable. I looked at the woman in the mirror. When had this happened? No messy bun. No glasses. No yoga pants.

“His majesty will love this dress on you.” Ayla stood next to me, admiring her work.

“You think so?” I watched her expression in the mirror.

“It fits you perfectly.” She grinned. “The color is perfect for your skin. It’s almost bridal.”

There it was again. The hint that tonight’s ball meant more than moving into the palace. My stomach lurched. Wasn’t it possible for a royal to date without having to make a life commitment? Couldn’t we get to know each other first?

I turned from the mirror, nervously. “I better go. I don’t want him to wait.”

“I will be there if you need anything,” Ayla reassured me. “Try not to be nervous if you can.”

“Right. I’m meeting every member of the government and the entire royal family. No reason to be nervous at all.”

I thought I could throw up on my glittery heels. If I thought I was nervous on gala night, it was because I didn’t know nights like this existed. My ankles wobbled as I held the beaded clutch Ayla handed me.

“Just breath. You’ll be fine.”

“I can do anything for a few hours.” I convinced myself.

At the end of the night was the reward. Damon and I would be able to public about our relationship. I could be with me every night. My skin warmed at the thought of sharing his bed. The way his mouth possessed mine. The way he touched me. The way he taught me to embrace a side of myself I had buried.

I nodded. Yes. I could do this.

“He would like to see you before you’re introduced. You can go through the service tunnel.”

I remembered Damon mentioning them to me before. I could barely navigate my way through the first floor of the main rooms, learning a passageway system seemed unlikely.

“But where do I go?”

“We decided it’s the best way to ensure no one sees you together before the ball begins. If you start walking, he’ll meet you.” She grinned. “It’s perfectly safe. And there are lights along the walkway by your feet.”

It was ridiculous to be nervous about walking through a secret tunnel, but my heartbeat accelerated as she ushered me inside the narrow door. The latch clicked behind me. I moved forward, following the tiny lights that illuminated the worn floorboards.

I wondered if the tunnels had always been here. My fingertips traced the lines of the walls. There were divots and crevices in the stone. How many times had people used this path for this same reason?

I carried the hem of my dress, careful not to let the train hit the floor. I passed several doors as I ventured farther. Where was Damon?

And then I heard his footsteps.

I stopped moving.

“Hello, love.” He turned a corner before I had to decide which hallway to take. “My God, you’re beautiful.”

I couldn’t help but lower my eyes and bite my lip. He undid me. Unraveled everything inside me.

His arms wrapped around my waist. I held my breath.

“Do you know what you do to me?” he asked.

“What you do to me?” I sighed.

“I’m tempted to blow off the ball and spend the night in the tunnels with you.” He cocked an eyebrow.

That would be one way to avoid meeting the entire country.

“Can we?” I pleaded, pressing my breasts into his tuxedo. They were modestly covered, but near Damon I could already feel the heated prickle running through my body.

His hands rounded to my ass. “Don’t tempt me like that, Molly,” he warned.

“I guess they would figure out we were missing.” I pretended to sulk.

“One of the hazards of being the king.” He squeezed roughly, making me whimper.

My body reacted with hungry need every time he touched me. I was already alive. Desperate to be with him. I wanted to taste his kiss. Ayla would scold a kiss would ruin my perfectly placed lip liner.

His eyes lit as my whimpers turned to little moans.

“Every man is going to be looking at you tonight. They won’t be able to take their eyes off you,” he growled against my ear.

He gathered the hem from my hand until he had found his way under my long dress. I didn’t protest when his fingers slid beneath my satin panties.

“And when they see you, they’ll know you’re mine.”

I nodded as he pushed his fingers inside me. I clenched around them wanting more than this. I wanted all of Damon.

“I’m yours,” I whispered.

“Fuck me like this, Molly,” he demanded. “Come on my fingers. Squeeze that beautiful pussy around them.”

“Oh God,” I groaned, rocking my hips into him as he pumped faster. He knew how to compel the orgasm from me with his dirty words.

“That’s it. Fuck, Molly. You make me so hard. I want to fuck you. Damn it.” I heard the anguish in his voice. “Too many layers.”

I grabbed his shoulders. It was starting to overtake me. I didn’t know if I could balance myself on my heels as I started to revel in the crashing waves of the peak. His thumb flicked over my clit, sending me headfirst into the orgasm.

I panted, trying to steady my breath. Damon’s eyes were on me. “God, you’re amazing.”

He straightened my dress, drawing his fingers to his lips. I watched in awe as he licked the tips. It was erotic and sexy. I started to believe anything this man did was sexy.

“Do you feel more relaxed?” he teased.

I fought for breath. “Somehow, yes.”

“Good. Because there’s nothing to worry about. I’ve got you.” He grinned. “And you are the Sauvage Royal Consort, Molly Washington. This night is about getting what we want.”

“If I get nervous will you pull me into the tunnels again?” I teased. My body was no longer tense. Damon had managed to erase the butterflies and the tension in my shoulders.

He kissed my temple. “If I pull you in these tunnels tonight, you won’t be leaving.”

My face flushed.

He laughed. “Because of that look. You just came in my hand and you still get shy. You still act surprised and I don’t think I can every get enough of your eyes when you come. You get lost in it.”

“Only because you take me there. It’s never been like that before.” There wasn’t an explanation for it other than Damon was what my sexual existence needed to be complete.

He exhaled. “You’re mine. That’s why.”

He said it with such certainty I was willing to believe the explanation. My body belonged to him. My soul. And I was starting to think my heart did too.

He glanced at his watch. “I have five minutes before I am announced. We need to hurry.”

He weaved his fingers through mine and led me through the tunnels. We walked down stairs and more levels of hallways. I would never be able to find my way back. We emerged in the library.

He grinned. “Thought this might be a good start. You can wait here. Ayla will come get you when it’s time.”

I gripped his hand. “Couldn’t I just sneak in? I don’t need a big announcement.”

“You do. It’s the official introduction that’s required of a royal appointment. You’ll be fine.”

He started to walk away and I felt the queasiness in my stomach return. “Damon,” I called.

He stood in the doorway. “Yes?”

“The vote. How did it go?”

He grinned. “It passed.”

* * *

I stared at the set of double doors that reached at least twelve feet high. There were two guards dressed in full ceremonial uniforms. Their white gloves gripped the handles.

This was it. On the other side of the door was a ballroom full of guests.

I closed my eyes, picturing Damon’s smile. His eyes.

The doors opened and a man next to the grand staircase began to speak in a booming voice. I froze when I realized where I had seen him before. He was the MC at The Titan. Holy shit.

Someone whispered behind me to enter the room.

“Announcing the arrival of Molly Washington, official Royal Consort to King Sauvage.”

He didn’t act like he recognized me.

I stepped forward toward the top of the staircase. I wish someone had warned me the ballroom was sunken. Guests entered at the upper level. There was a balcony that surrounded the floor below. I had to walk down an entire flight of stairs.

I looked down. Damon was in the center of the room, smiling.

Suddenly I realized I could do it. It didn’t matter if the MC knew who I was. Damon was standing at attention as if he were still in the royal navy. I couldn’t keep him waiting.

By the time I reached the bottom step I knew everyone was watching us. He stepped forward. I offered my hand, curtseying the way Ayla taught me. When I rose, he took my hand and led me to the row of men and women closest to us. This row was Damon’s cabinet.

“Nice to meet you.” I shook hands with the first man, followed by the rest of the line. “Thank you for attending.” I smiled and nodded.

Once I had made all the government introductions, the room watched as Damon led me to the opposite side of the room. The royals sat in chairs.

I was required to curtsey to each of them. I already preferred the government side of the ballroom. But these people were Damon’s family. This was critical.

I smiled when I saw Isabel. Thank God, I knew someone in this sea of diamonds and tuxedos. It was as if I had been given a small lifeline.

I dipped in front of her. “Princess Isabel,” I repeated the phrases Ayla had taught me.

We moved to the next person. He had dark hair and eyes like Damon. I recognized him from the pictures as his brother Liam.

“Prince Liam.” I curtsied.

The ballroom was quiet as I shifted along the row. I wished they would at least play music.

Next was Prince Donovan. The Sauvage family genes were strong. There was a striking resemblance between the brothers.

Last in line of the siblings was Dominic.

“Prince Dominic,” I greeted him.

His eyes followed me. I couldn’t separate the man in front of me from the stories I had heard about the woman he lost. Did he resent me? Envy what Damon had done?

He nodded, dismissing me quickly.

There was only one final introduction.

I lowered my head in front of her. “Queen Caroline,” I spoke clearly.

Her expression didn’t change. She nodded.

I exhaled.

The music began and the intense focus on my every word and move was over. Guests were free to mingle, drink, and eat.

Damon walked up next to me, leaning to kiss his mother on the cheek.

“I had no idea you were flying in for the ball.”

“Sutcliffe called and told me what you had planned. I needed to meet the girl who has upended the country.”

I knew I was supposed to remain polite and emotionless, but my mouth opened.

“Mother,” Damon warned with a sharp tone.

“I’m trying to remember the last time the king had a royal consort.”

My mouth went dry as she continued her cold digs at my title.

“I was a child, but I remember whose mistress she was.”

Oh my God. If the queen assumed the worst, she couldn’t be the only one. I was mortified.

“If the Dowager Queen has something she would like to say, maybe we should go to the royal study.” Damon gritted his teeth. “I’m not interested in your public manipulations tonight.”

She pinched her red lips together. She was a beautiful woman. Like her children, she had jet black hair and eyes like coal. There was barely a hint of fine lines. It was hard to gauge her age, but her oldest child was 32, so that put her somewhere in her fifties.

“But isn’t the ball for the public?” she questioned.

I didn’t know if I should run or slowly back into the crowd dancing behind us. I could disappear and find one of those tunnels.

I looked over my shoulder and my heart sang. Brooklyn was here.

Before I could hear another icy exchange, I bowed. “It was wonderful to meet you, your majesty.” I looked at Damon. “Brooklyn is here.”

“Go,” he advised. “I’ll find you in a moment.”

I made myself walk slowly instead of take off in a full run.

Brooklyn laughed when I reached her. “This is unreal.”

I pulled her into a hug. “You have no idea.”

“You look amazing, by the way.”

“I can’t take any credit. I have a royal stylist.”

She rolled her eyes. “Of course you do.”

A server walked up to us with a tray of champagne. “It would be an honor to serve the Royal Consort.”

Brooklyn giggled. “This is crazy.”

We each took a glass.

“Thank you.”

He walked away and we skirted through the crowd to find a corner where we could talk.

“I’m so glad you’re here. The queen didn’t exactly warm up to me.”

Brooklyn wrinkled her nose. “Most mothers love you, but they also aren’t forced to.”

“What do you mean?” I was glad to have the champagne. The bubbles danced in the glass.

“She doesn’t have a choice. The entire country watched while she received you. If she dissed you in front of them, she’d look like a bitch. She has to be nice to you. That probably just pissed her off.”

“The rest of them didn’t act like that.” Although, I didn’t have a good read on Dominic.

Brooklyn shrugged. “Yeah, but it’s their brother. Not their first son. My mom is ridiculous when it comes to my brother. You know that. Thomas this. Thomas that. He is the definition of the prodigal soon.” She looked up. “Well, until I met these guys.”

I laughed. “Ok, good point. Thomas has always had it easy and your mother never likes the girlfriends. Valid example.”

“Oh shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.” Brooklyn’s face turned white.

“What is it?”

She cowered in the corner, trying to hide behind me.

“Him.”

“Who?”

“From the gala.”

I thought she was talking about the MC. “Yeah, I know. He’s the royal announcer apparently.”

She shook her head. “Not the old guy. Him.” She pointed carefully. “Sebastian Roux. The duke. He was the one.”

“The one you went home with at the gala?” I questioned.

“Yes,” she eked. “Shit. What if he sees me?”

“Is that bad?”

I still had no idea what happened the night of the gala. We had managed to be so short on time it wasn’t discussed. I assumed I would get the details eventually, but not like this in a room full of hundreds of people.

“It’s terrible.”

I looked at Brooklyn. “Did he do something?” I was worried. “Did he hurt you?”

“Oh God no. Nothing like that. No, he wasn’t like that.” She gulped. “He saw me. He’s coming over.”

There was no point in trying to conceal my best friend. I saw the man she was talking about and he was on a mission. He was headed straight for us.