A/N: I know its short, but this is just the prologue. The first chapter will be right up. Please read the next chapter, it starts getting better!
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A sigh of exasperation escapes my lips as I look down at the picture in my hands.
In the first one, a blonde teenager is posing with her brunette friend, amidst a crowd of onlookers. I flip the page. In the second picture, the same girl is standing between two boys, one of them too busy kissing her neck to look at the camera. She herself is blowing a kiss in the photographer's direction.
"Ooh, Chris, you've gotten yourself a good one." I look up. Lucas is staring down at the picture with a silly grin plastered all over his face.
"Shut up," I snap, slamming the photo album closed.
"What's her name?" he pesters. I glare out the window. "C'mon, man."
"Lianna. Lianna Duciel."
"And you're marrying her?"
"Apparently."
"Damn it, man, I knew being the king of the Underworld had some advantages, but I'm starting to see your job in a whole new light."
"Pervert."
"Prude."
If he were anyone else, the already uncomfortable guards would have arrested him by now. But Lucas and I were brought up like brothers. He can get away with a lot more than anyone else can.
"I still can't believe my father actually chose her for my bride. I mean, look at my mother- she was the complete opposite of this girl."
"Well, at least she'll bear some handsome little princes."
"Lucas!"
"Relax, mate. She's probably not as... erm, experienced as this pictures make her out to-"
"Lucas, shut up."
"On it." He swayed around for about three seconds. "Although, you know-"
"Lucas."
"Right." Another three seconds. "Toobadyoucan'tpickyourownbride."
"What?"
He smiled and put a finger to his lips.
"I'm too stressed out for your jokes, Lucas."
"I said, it's too bad you can't pick your own bride."
"I thought you liked her."
"But you don't. And it's your life- or rather, lack of." I grin reluctantly.
"Well, I'm sure my father had something in mind. He was the greatest king in recorded history."
"We'll see as soon as she gets here- which will be... when?"
"Oh, yeah." I smirk. "I'll need your help with that."
