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Skylar said he had a reputation around the castle. That he was loose with women. I’m not special, I remind myself. This is just how he is.

But even so, he’s made an impact on me.

Do I feel this way because he is part Incubus? It must be. I’d prefer to believe it’s his Incubus magic at work than any natural reaction on my part. After all, this man is my stepbrother. We are related, even if it isn’t by blood. I surely can’t be having any…immoral…thoughts about him. But by the gods, when we’d been dancing, I’d swear my nipples had grown hard and tight beneath the bodice of my dress, and that place between my thighs had become hot and tight. The entire court had been watching—something I’m grateful for now, because if they hadn’t been, how would that dance have ended? He’d mesmerized me as he’d swept me across the floor, and all I’d wanted to do was press my body closer to his. I’d pictured his lips against my skin and his hands in my hair. The rest of the room had all but fallen away.

I shake my head at myself. No, no, no. He’s my new brother. I’m horrified at myself, and I think howdisappointed my mother would be if she knew the thoughts going through my head.

I can’t think of the way I pictured how it would feel to have him between my legs.

If he’s Incubus and has been with many women, he’d know exactly what to do to pleasure a woman. I try to recall what I know about Incubi. Don’t they feed from sexual energy? It benefits them to give their partner as much pleasure as possible, because it helps them grow stronger? Some say that being with one is like taking a drug. It lifts you to a whole new level, physically and spiritually.

A knock comes at my door, and my lady’s maid slips inside the room.

She tuts at me lying on the bed, still fully dressed. “You can’t sleep like that, Princess.”

I force myself to sit up. “I know, I know. I was just resting a moment.”

“Come and sit here, and I’ll help.”

I do as she says, as though she is the one in command instead of me, and take a seat at my dressing table.

“You danced with Prince Ruarok,” Skylar says as she loosens the ribbons holding my corset together.

“Yes. He’s quite…something.” I’m aware that I sound as breathless and flustered as I feel.

I see her face over my shoulder in the mirror. Her expression is pinched, as I see so often with people when they speak of the prince.

“You must be careful around him. He’s dangerous.”

I press my lips together. “He doesn’t seem dangerous.”

“It’s well known that he does not have favor with the king.”

“How can that be?” I question. “The king is his father.”

“It does not matter. Every time the king looks at Ruarok, he sees the whore instead of himself.”

How must Ruarok feel to know his own father hates him? I wonder if he ever met his mother. What a lonely existence he must have lived. I can’t imagine my own parents hating me. I’d been blessed with a loving mother and father, until he was taken by the rot. I still miss him every day, but I’m grateful for the years I did have him in my life. Yes, Ruarok might be part Incubus, but has the real reason he’s been…busy…with so many women around the castle simply because he’s been searching for someone to love him? The possibility breaks my heart.

“That’s so sad.”

“Don’t try to comfort him,” Skylar says. “He will interpret it as something else.”

My face heats, and I clear my throat to hide my reaction. “He’s my stepbrother. I care only for his well-being.”

It’s her turn to appear uncomfortable. “Of course, Princess. I wasn’t trying to suggest anything…”

I throw her a smile. “It’s fine, honestly. Let’s talk about something else, shall we?”

I don’t really want to talk about anything else. My mind is completely occupied with thoughts of my new stepbrother. I can still feel the imprint of his hand on my waist and the touch of his palm against mine. I want her to leave so I can be alone with my thoughts, to analyze what this new feeling is inside me.

Maybe Skylar is right. Perhaps going down this path is dangerous. After all, what good can come of me feeling this way? The two of us have to exist in this castletogether, and how will that work if it feels like fireworks have gone off inside me every time he is near?

I’m so aware of his presence inside the castle. It’s like a beacon calling to me, guiding me home. Is it his magic I’m sensing, or could it be a little of my own? I want to learn more about what having him near me means.

For the first time in my life, I feel truly alive.

Skylar must sense my new excitement and ignores my suggestion to talk about something else. “Stay away from Prince Ruarok, Princess, please. He will ruin you.”