The Warrior and the Petulant Princess Read Online Free PDF Page A

consequence.”
    Lizbett stared up at him, her eyes wide in disbelief, and in a moment of rebellious fury she stamped her feet on the floor.
    “If you do that again,” he said quietly leaning over her and fixing her with steely glare, “I will tie your ankles to the chair, and when I eventually let you go I will strip you completely naked, and then spank you. It won’t just be your bottom that will be open to my eye.”
    Her brow crinkled in dismay, and Larian raised his hand and ran his fingertips across her cheek.
    “Princess, I adore you, but if you wish to be with me you will learn obedience. You must,” he said firmly. “I intended to tell you everything about me when we came in here. I wanted to sit with you, eat with you, and drink with you, but you made that impossible. Lessons must come first, so instead of enjoying our reunion with wine, you will ponder your behavior with a bit in your mouth. Do you understand?”
    Lizbett gazed up at him and slowly nodded her head.
    “Good girl. Now, I must wash and change. You stay exactly where you are. Let’s see if you’re capable of controlling yourself long enough to do that.”

CHAPTER FOUR
    A s he freshened up and changed his clothes in the anteroom off the bed chamber, he wondered if he’d find his naughty Princess still waiting for him when he returned. He had purposely left her hands and feet free; she could easily unbuckle the bit, and just as easily get up and leave. If she obeyed him all would be well, and though her education would be challenging it was a task he was eager to undertake, but if she bolted it would call into question his judgement, how he had assessed her and the feelings she held for him.
    When he was near the end of his training and finally permitted to receive news from the outside, he’d not been at all surprised when he’d heard about the pampered, petulant Princess and her impossible behavior. Though she had been difficult in their youth he had recognized an inherent passion and spirit that was separate from her willful ways. The summer that he’d worked as a stable boy he had fallen utterly in love with her, and when he’d promised to return he’d meant it.
    The suns and moons had crossed the sky many times during his rigorous schooling, and though theirs had been a young love, his feelings for her had not passed with time, and she had remained in his heart.
    Even as the Vest of Accomplishment had been slid up his arms, and the ruler of his Principality had announced Larian had reached the rank of Warrior Of The First Order, a title bestowed upon only a few, the memory of her was alive. Later that night at the banquet to celebrate the achievement, the Prince had risen from his throne and called the banquet to silence.
    “It is with great pride I state the following. Lord Larian Lobergene received the highest acclaim from the Captains of each of the skills and has earned the rank of Commander. With great honor he will have a residence and lands. He may stay within the realm, or travel the lands as he chooses to rest his body and mind from the rigors of his training.”
    As was the custom, the guests rose from their chairs while Larian remained seated, and lifting their goblets high in the air they called out his name. It was a solemn toast, the highest praise for a young man who had committed his energies to become a warrior for the realm, and as they took their seats, with humility and eyes lowered he left his chair and moved to kneel before his ruler.
    “I thank you my Prince, and with your permission will leave for a short time, but only to pursue a maiden,” he’d declared, his head bowed.
    “Seek her, and we pray you will win her,” the Prince had said in a rare moment of tenderness.
    With his Ruler’s blessing, the following day Larian had written to King Handerah to beg the monarch’s permission to court his daughter.
    The King’s enthusiastic reply had filled his heart, and he’d set off on the long journey to