Five Masks of Sin (Haremworld)

“You can’t.” My father’s face went white and he closed the distance between us, grabbing my arm. “Don’t you dare invoke that!”

“It is my birthright.” I jerked my arm away. “Once I am married, I can challenge my brother for the rights to throne, and I will. That right cannot be taken from me, even by exile.”

“Okay, maybe I was a little hasty. Maybe it would make sense for you to marry Princess Aria.” I could see the desperation in his eyes as he grabbed my arm again.

“You’ve already named her as his bride in a royal decree. That can’t be undone. Besides, why would I want to marry her if she’s the one who asked to marry my brother?” I shrugged. “Rohr knew Princess Aria was going to be my bride. He should have refused. He’s as much responsible for this as you are.”

Mortem Coronam hadn’t been invoked in over three hundred years. Most people outside of the royal family didn’t even know it existed. If my father wanted a media circus, then I would give him one. It wouldn’t be a royal wedding, though, it would be a political nightmare. In order to invoke the sacred challenge, I had to be declared worthy of the throne. Our laws were simple. For a prince to be worthy of the throne, he simply had to be married to a woman that could produce an heir. It would be a fight to the death in the arena and my brother could not refuse without giving up his right to the throne. I half expected him to do that. I couldn’t see my brother ever lifting a sword, much less fighting with one.

Have fun explaining that one to Lythonia. Once I’m king, I’ll exile all of my brother’s widows, including Princess Aria.

I COULD HAVE BOUGHT a bride if I wanted. It would have certainly been easier. Unfortunately, after spending forty days in a cell, I needed time to recover before I could challenge my brother and I knew things would be tense once my father told him what my plan was. I sailed to New Zealand where I took a plane to England. While I was there, I heard some people talking about the World Ball. It sounded like a great place to see if America was truly as awful as the media made it out to be. Plus, after my engagement with Princess Aria was called off, I was ready to sow a few wild oats before I tied the knot. The World Ball sounded like a great opportunity to do just that. I quickly found out that Americans weren’t just in love with British royalty—my crown was worth my weight in pussy.

“Wait, so you’re really a prince? It’s not just a costume for the masquerade?” The woman next to me giggled. “That’s sexy.”

“Here, let me give you a gift.” I reached to my lapel and removed my pin. “How would you like to spend the night with a real prince?”

“I’d like that a lot!” She nodded her head quickly.

My dick felt like it was ready to fall off after four days at the World Ball. I had fucked so many women I lost count. As soon I was done with one, I could practically trip over my next playmate before I got my foot in the door of the Grand Ballroom. Word spread quickly that I was a living, breathing, prince. I was already drunk when I walked through the doors on the fourth night. I wasn’t even sure I had in me to take anyone home that night. I got a drink and watched people file in as the music started to play. Only one of them caught my attention. She was dressed in purple, wearing a tiara, and she was loveliest looking princess I had seen since I first met Aria. I knew she wasn’t a real princess, but she took my breath away the instant I laid eyes on her.

How in the hell have I been here four days and not seen you?

Chapter 14: Lyric

I was on the prowl. It was different than the night before. I no longer questioned my confidence. While I might have technically cheated to get Dane back to Maximo’s suite, it hadn’t been intentional. I understood where I went wrong. I relied on Simon’s tactics to easily pull a man into my grasp when I should have found my own way to do it. I wasn’t going to make that mistake again, even if I did enjoy the punishment that it got me. I stepped into the Grand Ballroom and I was early, but there were already people there. My eyes scanned the room—a familiar face appeared in the corner of my eye, but it didn’t register. I scanned back and then I felt my stomach churn with excitement.

Oh my god. That can’t—Prince Harland of the Southern Isles?

His eyes had locked with mine before I had a chance to look away. It was definitely him, even if his mock-prince masquerade outfit wasn’t clear as day. I narrowed my eyes, feeling my heart beat wildly in my chest. Prince Harland wasn’t a random guy at the World Ball, he was famous. While his small island kingdom might not have gotten the same kind of attention the royals in England did, his face had been on television enough for me to recognize him. I was a sucker for royal weddings and his brother had—well, he didn’t just stop at one. That kind of killed the fairy tale for a lot of girls that obsessed over the princes from the Southern Isles, but Harland had never taken a bride.

Okay. I’m supposed to seduce someone, right? Am I really brave enough to just go after the biggest fish in the freaking ocean?

I realized as I stood there that the reason Prince Harland must have been looking at me was because of what I was wearing. I had decided to go with a princess outfit, which just happened to be random because the dress I picked out looked great with a tiara. As I stared at the devilishly handsome prince, I felt a wave of excitement come over me. I started walking tow

ards him. I wasn’t going to be pushy. He probably got that a lot. I wasn’t going to be starstruck. He definitely got that from everyone he met. It wasn’t going to be Simon’s words coming out of my mouth—I was just going to say what I was thinking. I hoped I thought of something to say that didn’t come out as a tongue-tied mess.

“Prince Harland.” I smiled as I got closer to him.

“Princess...” He tilted his head.

“Princess Lyric.” I extended my hand and he kissed it. “Although I’m not a real princess. You probably know that.”

“Yeah.” He nodded. “I’ve never seen a real princess as pretty as you.”

Oh my god, I might melt into the freaking floor!

“Can I join you for a drink?” I took everything inside me to say those words without gushing the contents of my teenage-obsession right there on the spot.

“Of course.” He motioned to the stool next to him.

I’m in. I’m so in. I just need to get him in—inside me. Oh my god, did I really just think that? I’m so glad I didn’t say that out loud.

“Thank you.” I nodded and sat down, reaching for a glass of wine.

“I’m glad you came over. I was actually considering coming over to talk to you.” He turned towards me. “I thought I had danced with every pretty girl at the World Ball already.”

“I think you’ve done more than dance with them.” I tilted my head and smiled. “I know your reputation.”