Powerful Prince (Steel Series Book 5)

by Victoria Pinder

  “We can arrange for you to see each other weekly, if you like,” I said.

  She bumped into me as I led her to the stairs. “I’ll have to talk to her about her life. She’s been quiet about her upcoming nuptials.”

  We made our way up the marble stairs, with blue runner carpets and the gold-encrusted bannister I used to slide down as a boy. I asked, “Problems?”

  She craned her neck once she read the “Private” sign on the velvet rope we were approaching.

  “Yes,” she said, lowering her voice, “but she’s not said anything specific to me.”

  We passed the rope and the security officers at the top of the stairs as we made our way to the formal dining room.

  “Call her. Perhaps she’ll want to spend the weekend here with you.”

  Servants opened the doors and she tensed, though she still had that smile on her face, as she said, “I’ll text her.”

  The moment we entered the room the scrape of chairs sounded, and I saw my brother’s brown eyes and my sister’s blue ones as they scurried to join us at the door. I wrapped my arm around Nicole’s waist and said, “This is Harry.”

  He glanced up and down at her as he said, “I can’t believe you’re a virgin.”

  I stepped in front of her and my fingers curled. Nicole wasn’t his to steal. Emily stepped between us and pushed on our shoulders as she said, “Ignore my stupid brother. I’m Emily.”

  Nicole clutched the back of my shirt as she offered to shake hands.

  “Nice to meet you both. Ryder said he loves having both of you as his siblings.”

  Yes, most of the time. But my brother had a reputation for charming women—though he’d usually avoided the ones I’d been interested in. Still, he’d not been truly horrible this time, so I relaxed my shoulders.

  Emily had no idea what I was thinking as she looped arms with Nicole to lead her to the table. “Lies, but sweet ones. I didn’t want to like you, Nicole.”

  Nicole glanced back at me as she asked Emily, “Why?”

  She directed Nicole to the seat next to my usual spot, as she said, “If our father is choosing our spouses now, he has too much control.”

  Nicole scooted to the chair, but she tilted her head and told Emily, “You can marry whomever you choose.”

  Emily shook her head and stepped back as she said, “Aww, now that sounds so American of you. Good luck.”

  She headed to her seat across from me. One day, when Harry married, she’d be forced down a chair, as the seats to my father’s right were reserved for the crown prince and his wife.

  I took my seat to the left of my father’s empty chair, but then trumpets blared. We all stood at attention as I asked, “Are you ready, Nicole?”

  She stood, but her face was white as she asked, “For what?”

  Part of me envied her curiosity right now, but I knew my father’s house wasn’t exactly comfortable or warm for an outsider.

  “Here he comes,” I said, as the double doors that led to the throne room slowly swung open. “My father.”

  She pivoted toward me and asked, “This formal? For breakfast?”

  And then, there he was. Silver-haired, tanned, and fit. He had apparently finished with his morning run and the military training regimen he’d never stopped. He constantly drilled into Harry’s and my heads that we must be physically fit to be a respected royal. At this hour, he was usually in the gym, but he’d clearly made an exception to his routine. I lowered my head according to custom and she did the same. I whispered, “Must be eager to see you in person.”

  She scooted closer to me and held my hand for a moment. “Glad Gio brought me the dress.”

  She popped her head up and glanced at him. “H—”

  “He’s the king,” I interrupted in a stern whisper. I stood still so she’d know we didn’t move right now, and I added, “We don’t greet him until he greets us.”

  She lowered her head again, but asked, “Even you?”

  My father sat down and answered for me, “It’s been that way since birth.”

  I popped my head up as we all formally sat down again, now that he was seated. Dad then folded his hands in front of him and asked, “Found someone new to whisper with, Ryder?”

  I squeezed her hand under the table, then let it go, as I said, “You picked her for me.”

  Servants brought us a typical Nordish breakfast, with plates of sandwiches, coffee, yogurt, and orange juice. The whole grain bread with oats was crunchy and the cheeses were locally made.

  Hopefully, Nicole would try more than yogurt.

  She picked up her spoon, though, like she’d just have that. I was about to stop her as my father hadn’t eaten yet, but then my dad picked up his cheese and meatball sandwich and took a bite.

  She had no idea that he’d ensured she hadn’t broken protocol. And he didn’t scold her, like he’d done with me as a boy. Instead he said, “I’ve been reading your list of demands, Miss Steel.”

  Her eyes widened, but she reached for a small sandwich to try. I relaxed as she asked, “Already?”

  We ate in silence for a moment, but as my father finished his small portion so he could begin his daily royal duties soon, he said, “Yes. We want assurances, however, that nothing that is considered a private family matter will be discussed without permission.”

  I patted her shoulder, but she seemed cold. “By ‘we’ he means himself and the kingdom he represents,” I explained.

  She didn’t even blink, but she said, “I will sign a non-disclosure on any matters that concern the crown—though I do want to take pictures of my home and freely share what pertains to my modern lifestyle blog.”

  Right. This wasn’t about being in love or even attracted to each other. She’d agreed to marriage because of a deal. My stomach shouldn’t turn because of this. I’d agreed to marry her for reasons other than love, so my skin didn’t need to prickle when my father said, “Then our lawyers should be able to work out a deal.”

  I forced myself to smile and met my father’s gaze. “That was easy.”

  Now I went cold. Perhaps I’d train with my own unit this morning to get the tension out of my system.

  My father’s eyes drilled into my skin. “I want my children happy.”

  I let out a long breath and shook my head scornfully. “My happiness has never been a consideration before now.”

  His gaze narrowed as he stared at me. “You’re wrong there, son. But I can never be your mother and coddle you, so you need a proper wife. I’m hoping that Nicole, here, will bring you that happiness and stability that only marriage brings.”

  Not going to happen. I had to find my own way to ensure that my mind was at peace, because no one else would ever care.

  Emily spoke first, “We all miss Mom, father.”

  He glanced at my sister and brother and my shoulders lightened considerably. I’d never be my father’s favorite son or be able to compete with his only daughter. And I never wanted to be either of them.

  Nicole didn’t move, though she finished her sandwich. I did the same with my own and had a third and final cup of coffee for today, as my father told the others, “That’s good to hear. And I know she’d want every one of her children to be happy, as we were.”

  They’d been right. I was the test case. My soul shouldn’t be slacking right now, but I pressed my lips closed and refused to start that conversation here.

  He was the king, and I was his pawn. Soon, Nicole would understand why our lives would be better once we retired from a life in court.

  This was the reason I had agreed to marry her. I had no right to expect more.

  Chapter 7

  Nicole

  My room was a tower room. Seriously beautiful view. I snapped a picture of myself near the windows that overlooked the winding river, green trees, the nearby town with yellow, red and orange houses, and the ocean bay in the background. Seriously, the water was so blue it was hypnotic.

  I’d have to write a blog on clean
water soon, as that was so important to have in our lives.

  Norden was unbelievably picturesque.

  I held my finger on the share button. My room was not part of the non-disclosure agreement, and I wasn’t showing any part of the castle that might be considered private.

  Most important, though, was that I wasn’t married yet and no contracts had been signed. I still needed to do my job.

  So I hit the button.

  Done. Shared. I was about to toss the phone onto the bed, but then my text beeped. My sister, Stephanie. Can I call now with my answer?

  My heart raced and I jumped. Yes. I typed fast. It had been a year since I’d seen my sister in person, but I needed her right now. I answered on the first ring, skipped the “hellos” and asked, “Stephanie, you can come?”

  She laughed. I had missed that sound. Georgie’s laugh was like a mom sound. Our sister Indigo had a commanding laugh. Ridley had the “let’s cry together” laugh. Olivia had the curious laugh. But Stephanie … she had the best laugh. She had the “let’s have fun” giggles at the table. My heart lurched now that I heard it again, as she said, “Sure, Norden is much closer than Pittsburgh, and I miss you.”

  “I miss you,” I said and twirled in my pink dress.

  And then she took a shaky breath, and I froze. Had she been crying? I gulped and asked, “What’s wrong?”

  She let out a soft sob but masked it with indifference. “My wedding is off.”

  “I’m so sorry,” I said. I had nothing else to offer right now. If she was close, I’d hug her.

  How dare that jerk hurt Stephanie? I’d slap him if he ever came near.

  Stephanie said, “It’s okay. I’m still living my first dream. I have a job in London, a flat, friends. I’m doing great.”

  There she was. Ever the optimist. Spinning gold out of her tears. If we were together, I’d treat her to something fun, but I simply said, “We still miss you being around.”

  She let out a sigh. “I am so mad at myself for missing so much. I haven’t even met Georgie’s, Ridley’s or Indigo’s husbands. Y’all are my family. Can you get me at the airport on Friday night?”

  Change the topic before anyone offers sympathy. Stephanie’s style. But I bounced and said, “Absolutely.”

  “I can’t wait to meet your prince,” she said.

  This time, I paused. My heart thumped. This marriage wasn’t about romance. How did I tell Stephanie that? But then, I heard footsteps and my pulse quickened. I quickly said, “Ryder’s coming back. Talk to you later.”

  The door opened and a shirtless, sweaty, tanned prince stole my breath away with those muscles of his.

  Seriously, he could block mountains. And hold me tight. My lips tingled as I wished he’d kiss me, but he seemed distracted and maybe tired. “Were you on the phone?”

  I bounced on my feet toward him and said, “You look sweaty.”

  He shrugged like I spoke the obvious. And I had, but my heart thundered and I needed a moment to recover my sanity. He said, “I needed a workout. Then my father joined me.”

  I stood in front of him. The smell of his adrenaline almost matched the sweet smell of the fresh air outside I’d been soaking up. I almost melted as I said, “You’re super tense near him.”

  He closed the door behind him and the idea of reaching for his hand and tugging him to the bed hit me. It wasn’t part of the deal, though. He glanced at my bag that was still near the closet door like he was surprised, and then at my open windows, but he didn’t ask anything. Instead, he said, “We don’t see eye-to-eye on much, but he’s a good king.”

  I hadn’t said yes to Ryder just because of the magnetic attraction in my veins. Part of the reason was also that we’d talked and ironed out a misunderstanding so easily. That had been the draft topic I’d been considering for my blog. For now I listened to my heartbeat as I narrowed my gaze, “How is he as a father?”

  He walked around my room like we were sharing, and I swallowed. Then he headed toward the white doors on the side wall and said, “He’s fine, I guess. I came to check you were settled in okay.”

  “I’m good.” I followed my instinct and kissed his cheek. Ryder instantly relaxed, but I ignored the adrenaline in my veins and said in an upbeat tone, “My dad was amazing. He was the glue of my family, really. He ensured we were all taken care of and he tucked us in every night.”

  He opened the doors with a gold key I hadn’t seen him holding as he said, “My father checked on my progress at breakfast every day, and berated me at dinner for whatever I’d failed to do.”

  I reached out and hugged him. “Sounds hard.”

  He rested his forehead on mine and his eyes closed.

  Damn, my lips tingled for an actual kiss. His skin was like an appetizer that just made me hungry for the main course. And my body had a zap in it.

  But then he opened his eyes and said, “My mother was the one who read us stories, and told us our father loved us in his own way.”

  He ran his hand through my hair and I said, “That sounds sweet. My mom tried, but she never trusted her own voice, so she let my dad do the work.”

  He let me go. My body ached like I’d been abandoned and my nipples were hard.

  “We were opposites then,” he said.

  He rubbed his arm like it itched, so I backed up and said, “Go and shower. I want you to show me the grounds.”

  He opened the door and then said, “I’ll be back soon.”

  I reached out for his wrist. I didn’t want him to go yet. “Wait.”

  He turned toward me. “What?”

  I pointed through the doors to the dark room. “Is this your room?”

  He opened the door fully, so I saw the white and gold with pops of red version of my own room, with a gorgeous view of the blue ocean in the distance. Seriously, this place took my breath away.

  “Yeah.”

  “Good.” I ignored how my body hammered like I wanted to be stripped and taken right now. This had never been me. But I stood in the doorway and only said, “You’re the only person I know here.”

  He stepped away from me as he said, “Our rooms adjoin, Nicole. But I can’t tempt you or touch you until you pass the test.”

  I crossed my arms and stepped toward him as I tilted my head. “What test?”

  He came toward me and leaned against the doors. “The virginity test.”

  I paced away, my arms still crossed. My virginity had never been a big deal until this week. I actually trembled a little as I asked, “How does that work?”

  “Well there are two ways,” he said, and he had a twinkle in his eye like he had a secret. “My father scheduled the family doctor to come and see you soon, as he assumed you’d choose that option.”

  I sat on the edge of the bed and crossed my legs, but I raised my eyebrow. “So the doctor opens me up, like a pap smear, and checks me?”

  He sat beside me and massaged my arms. “I guess. And it’s semi-public.”

  Goosebumps grew from his touch as I glanced up into the blue pools of his eyes.

  “What?” I asked, confused.

  I saw my own reflection in his gaze as he said, “You can have whoever you want in the room. But the doctor, once he or she finishes, must report immediately to my father.”

  I swallowed. I had never thought about this before, but now I shivered like I was in icy water and he was my lifeline. “This seems barbaric. What if I don’t have a hymen? I do a lot of bending and exercising.”

  “I don’t honestly know how the procedure works.” He kissed my forehead. “The doctors know you’re into yoga.”

  He put his arms around me and I didn’t want him to ever stop. This was why I’d said yes to marrying him, if I kept my vow to always remain honest with myself. I let out a sigh as his kiss sent me in orbit, and he hadn’t even kissed me on the lips. “Well, what’s the second option?”

  His eyes were bright as he stared into my eyes, with our bodies entwined as we were. “We plan a wedding r
ight away and go old school—hanging the sheets from our wedding night out the window for the world to see if there’s blood on them.”

  Heat rushed through my head and I’m sure I blushed. I shook my head. “That’s embarrassing.”

  His light laugh reverberated in his gut as he asked, “So, was my father right?”

  I nodded and held him tighter. “Just send in the doctor.”

  His lips hovered near me and he said, “Excellent.”

  My eyes fluttered closed. My heart thumped and I opened my lips like we’d kiss, but instead I said, “And I want you there, holding my hand, above the sheet.”

  He held me tighter around my waist. “Me?”

  “Yes.” I nodded and then said, “Let’s just get this done so we can enjoy the rest of the day.”

  He let me go without kissing me. My eyes fluttered as he said, “I’ll take a shower and be back with the doctor. Do you want anyone else here?”

  I hugged my waist. I didn’t want to beg him to kiss me. I said, “No. I’m good. I trust you.”

  He stopped and asked, “You do?”

  “Yeah.” I took his hands to squeeze. “Half of why I’m doing this is because I like talking to you and I hope we’re always at least friends. I can stomach a doctor visit, but I do have a question.”

  He stilled and squared his shoulders like I’d give him some mission to carry out. “What?”

  I swallowed and asked, “If I have no hymen and the doctors somehow reject me and we can’t marry ...”

  He cupped the back of my head as he hugged me suddenly, “Don’t think that.”

  I grabbed his sides that were all hard muscle. My knees knocked. This couldn’t be wrong. Every cell in my body ached to be his, but I needed my brain to work. “I’m more concerned that you and I will never …”

  My voice trailed off. His lips were close to mine as he asked, “Never what?”

  Honesty was my best policy. I met his gaze and ignored the twinges of desire in me. I forced my lips that were open for a kiss to speak. The words were slow but sure, “Get your father to agree that my blog and influencer lifestyle is palace approved.”