Cara's Twelve by Chantel Seabrook Read Free Book Online Page B

trying to regain her composure, “from home. Nothing to concern yourself with.”
    Edmund looked at her skeptically, and then smiled darkly. He brushed his hand down the length of her bare arm. “The vows I took say otherwise. You
are
my concern now princess.”
    She took a step backwards and he smiled. He was toying with her. Cara knew it, and she knew she should run, but she wouldn't give him the satisfaction. He was every bit the predator she had initially tagged him as, and running would only give him the thrill of the chase. Better to stand her ground. Nevertheless, every step he took towards her, with his dark menacing gaze, made her involuntarily take another step back. She gasped as her back encountered the cold stone wall.
    He placed his hands on either side of her so that she couldn't escape. His blue eyes watched her with a hint of laughter and unmistakable lust.
    “Are you afraid of me?”
    She pushed on his chest, which only caused him to force his body tighter against hers.
    “Let go of me,” she hissed.
    Her arms were immobilized, pinned between his chest and hers. She glanced down the shadowy, narrow corridor, hoping that someone would pass by.
    She had chosen the location for its seclusion and privacy. They were alone and she was trapped.
    “I'll tell you a secret,” he whispered in her ear. His warm breath on her skin sent a shiver of revulsion down her spine. “You should be afraid.”
    It was a warning, and Cara struggled more furiously against him.
    He grabbed her chin and forced her to look up at him. “You can have all the secret rendezvous you want princess, but trust me when I tell you that you will be mine.” He crushed her mouth with his own and kissed her roughly.
    Crying out, Cara did her best to get free, but he held her easily. There were tears on her cheeks when he finally pulled back. His fingers tangled in her hair and he pulled roughly so that she was looking at him.
    “You and the crown are mine princess.” Arrogance tightened his features as he stared down at her.
    “You will never have me, and I promise you will never wear the crown.” Her voice trembled with emotion, and her stomach cramped in fear.
    A slow, evil smile curved his lips. “Don't make promises you can't keep, princess.”
    He released her.
    And Cara ran.

Chapter 5
    Cara forced herself to attend the banquets and festivities during the days following the dedication. She would have preferred to remain secluded in her chambers, but it was part of her role as heir to establish relationships with the Elbian nobility. It had also given her the opportunity to familiarize herself with the twelve men she would be travelling the country with. Maeve's reports on the men had been invaluable, but Cara was now able to see for herself the alliances and frictions that had emerged between them during their short time together.
    Cara glanced around the large room. There was an air of excited anticipation as people greedily took advantage of their last chance to drink, eat and dance before the tour departed the following day. It was barely sundown and many of those in attendance were already inebriated.
    Helfrich came to stand beside her, and leaned in close so those around them wouldn't hear him. “Reyn and Finn are going over the final preparations,” he said under his breath. “Everything seems to be in order.”
    Helfrich and Finn had been outraged when they heard what the Queen had planned, and had sworn to help them get Maeve safely out of the palace. Cara knew she put all three men at risk by asking them to get involved, but it was a chance she had to take.
    Cara tried to keep her emotions controlled as she watched the King Balsam accompany Birkita into the room. It was becoming more difficult by the day to keep her expression neutral in her presence.
    “Stop glaring,” Helfrich whispered in her ear.
    She pushed back the animosity eating at her, but stiffened further as Edmund approached the Queen and King and was