Beautiful Torment *Book One of the Beautiful series*

32) Quick Lesson

*Slight Sexual Content. Readers be advised*

"I know you are awake, Luciana. I can see the light and your shadow under the door." She was genuinely surprised to hear Alexander's voice on the other side. "Can we talk?"

Swallowing hard around the lump that was forming in her throat she whispered, "One second." Lifting her bag, she set it on the floor and kicked it halfway under the bed, covering the other half with the blanket hanging from the mattress. If he thought she was leaving, Lucy knew she would never make it a step outside of the palace.

Moving quickly, Lucy opened the door to the breathtaking sight of the dark prince who had long stolen her heart. His raven hair was swept back as though he had jogged up to her rooms. His usual black attire melted with the shadows of the hall, bringing an almost luminescent glow to his pale face. And of course, there were his eyes, and the perpetual molten glow that lived within them. The sight dropped Lucy's guard. She drank him in, gaze trailing from his handsome face down his strong jaw, chiseled shoulders and hard chest.

How can I leave him behind? The thought flitted through her mind, desperate and achingly. She faltered, catching sight of the two wooden swords clenched within his right hand, hanging limply at his side. She raised an eyebrow.

"May I come in?" he asked softly, once he had finished appraising her the way she did him.

Lucy swallowed and nodded, unable to form words in her shaken state. She pushed the door open so he could squeeze by her, his heat like a wave washing over her as he passed. For a moment, he only observed her room. The two large, velvet draped windows, the canopied bed, and the fire burning in the hearth. Slowly, he rotated around, a thoughtful expression on his face mixed with determination. In a swift motion, he took Lucy by surprise, bending forward to effortlessly push the tea table and chaise out of the way, clearing a large space before the roaring fire.

"What are you doing?" Lucy whispered, her curiosity momentarily beating out the panic she felt.

"I promised you a lesson," he said, and an easy smile pulled over his mouth. He paced the area he cleared, back and forth twice, before nodding in satisfaction. "This will do."

It was proving difficult for Lucy's mind to catch up to her pounding heart, still unable to completely grasp what he was intending. He turned to her, finally noticing the confusion on her face. A light chuckle rumbled deep from his chest and he drew close to her. "Do not tell me you forgot? After all that raw determination."

Reaching over, he took hold of a wooden sword so that he held one in each hand. With a flick of his wrist, he flipped the sword on the right so that his fingers gripped the 'blade' end and the smoothly carved hilt pointed out towards Lucy. "I looked for you in the courtyard, but figured you returned here due to my tardiness. I apologize, my father called a ridiculously late council meeting, all to announce the happy news."

Lucy's brow furrowed, though she reached forward and grasped the offered hilt which was warm to the touch. "What news?"

Alexander's smile was uncharacteristically eager. "I can not believe your dear sister did not tell you at dinner. Jamieson proposed to Victoria while we were away. They plan to marry before the next new moon. Of course, Father sees it as an opportunity to claim the broken kingdom of Relan in Espens name. But never fear, my brother is head over heels for the girl. It will be a union of love."

The heartbeat within Lucy's chest stuttered and a cold sweat came over her. She did not know whether or not to feel betrayed or relieved. The queen had demanded Victoria be left behind as a guarantee Lucy would cause no more trouble for the royal family. She had considered taking the girl despite that...but knowing now that she would not be held prisoner, but rather living life as a true princess...perhaps it was for everyone's benefit to let her remain.