Ceremony of Seduction by Cassie Ryan Read Free Book Online Page A

short top. Alyssa couldn’t help but stare. The woman stood the same height as Alyssa and had the same full hips, rounded stomach and thighs that she looked at in the mirror every day. Yet, this exotic woman looked sexy, enticing and comfortable with her body. Something Alyssa had wished for all her life.
    There was more. The woman’s aura was electrifying and drew Alyssa in like a moth. A breath caught in her throat. She wanted this woman to touch her. Wanted to feel her petite hands on her body. Wanted to try out every fantasy.
    Must be the effect of that damned painting!
    “I’m Sasha, your lady’s maid. I’ve waited a long time to be able to fulfill my duties.” She bowed and then stepped forward to link her arm with Alyssa’s as if they were lifelong friends. “Come this way and I’ll show you the pool. I’m sure you’re exhausted and in need of some energy before meeting your parents.”
    Alyssa walked with her willingly, instantly comfortable with this beautiful woman, even despite the sudden attraction. “I’m actually a little hungry,” she admitted, noticing her growling stomach for the first time all day.
    Sasha frowned. “The prince knows to take better care of you than that. You are precious to all the Klatch.” She led Alyssa into an open room with only a chair and dressing table. Its gleaming white stone surface was covered with brushes, beads, combs, perfumes and assorted makeup.
    “Stone took very good care of me,” she said, suddenly defensive. She wanted to defend the man who’d saved her from her previous life.
    Sasha laughed. “Believe me, I know the prince would not be able to keep his hands off you after all this time. But if you are hungry, he let you orgasm, which means you lost energy. Until the ceremony, he’ll have to exercise more restraint.”
    Alyssa’s mouth dropped open and her cheeks burned. Did everyone know she and Stone had been fooling around?
    “Don’t mistake my meaning, Princess. I know from personal experience what a good man Prince Stone is, and how honorable his intentions. But until the ascension, he needs to have a care with you.”
    Sasha’s words caused a trickle of ice down her spine as jealousy spurted through her. The exotic woman obviously knew Stone quite well. Alyssa couldn’t help but wonder how well. She tried to keep her voice nonchalant as she studied the maid, ready for her reaction. “What type of personal experience…if you don’t mind me asking?” She held her breath while she waited for an answer.
    Laughter filled the room and Sasha’s eyes danced with amusement. “Oh, Princess. I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to imply anything like that.” Sasha’s features suddenly seemed strained as if she were thinking of unhappy memories. “When I was but twelve years old, my mother and I had gone to an outlying village while the queen was there visiting. I wandered away chasing a kitten, as young children do.”
    A sudden flash of pain filled her eyes before she masked it. “Several Cunt warriors came through a portal in front of me and well…They would’ve raped me if Prince Stone hadn’t stopped them. As it was, I was merely bruised and frightened. He was severely injured from the encounter, and could have died. The fact that he was willing to risk his life for mine, a mere daughter of a lady’s maid, has always stayed with me. He will always have my complete trust and loyalty.”
    Alyssa could picture a younger version of Sasha, frightened and alone until Stone put himself at risk to save her. It explained why Stone was so bitter toward the Cunts and also why he was so protective of her. This new insight about Stone gave Alyssa a greater understanding of the man she’d only known through dreams for the past decade. She promised herself it wouldn’t be the last she found out about her mysterious betrothed. “Thank you for telling me, Sasha. I’m sure it’s something Stone would never tell me, but I’m glad you did. I still don’t