Chapter 5

THE AMUSEMENT NICK HAD FELT UPON ENTERING THAT damned woman’s classroom had been replaced with sheer irritation. How dare she accuse him of undermining her? The whole reason he was in this bloody castle was because of her.

Never in his life had Nick met someone so prickly before. The woman should come with a damn warning label! Do not approach, hazardous to your happiness!

He stalked back to his room and over to his desk. The students were milling about and had a few moments before he would have to begin his lesson. His father would be in hysterics to see Nick teaching Royal Affairs.

It was his least favorite subject and one that the King of Moren often insisted upon drilling into his head. Nick had never been one that enjoyed ribbon cuttings and pointless speeches given to the aristocracy. In truth, many royals had little control over the actual running of their countries. It was more about parliament, shoving the crown into a figurative type role.

This was half the problem with royalty in the modern age, according to Nick. If they had more responsibility and less money they would be more inclined to give a flying rat’s ass about their people. Being a member of the royal family used to mean something, now it seemed that they were glorified figureheads.

Nick blew out a breath, glancing at his watch he realized that it was time to begin. He had the fourth-years, the class that had just come from Lia’s room.

He stood, “I don’t want any bullshit about non-existent disabilities. I have documentation for the students that fall into these categories.”

They looked up at Nick in surprise and he winced remembering too late that cursing wasn’t allowed. Not willing to back down Nick continued.

“Stand up, state your name, title, and reason for being here.”

The students began to do as instructed, there were Dukes, Countesses, Princesses, a Viscount or two, and a myriad of other titles scattered about the room. As each student stood Nick took in their tone of voice, posture, and reason for attending the Royal Academy.

For many, their answer was because my parents are making me. He couldn’t blame them, it would be similar to something he might have said himself.

There were others that seemed to try brown nosing to help make themselves sound important.

But overall, Nick wasn’t overly impressed with any of them. The only one that caught his eye was a little girl named Asha. She had shiny dark hair and a soft voice, but her answer rang out clearly just the same.

I wish to help those that don’t have a voice.

It was powerful. Nick had no idea who the girl was or what principality she came from. But her elegance and poise were spot-on. He knew that it wasn’t always the biggest and strongest that made the most difference in life.

Nick had a gut feeling that little Asha would move mountains one day. He continued with his class only stopping once when some of the students got unruly. He quickly split up the trio of Victoria, Franklin, and Simone. It was obvious that they were used to ruling things and Nick wasn’t about to have a child dictating his class.

One lesson seemed to blend into another until at long last he was finished with his first day. With a breath of relief, he grabbed something from the main hall for dinner not opting to sit with the staff. The last thing Nick wanted to do was to be inside a moment longer.

Changing into a pair of gym shorts and athletic shirt he laced his running shoes and slipped out the side castle doors.

The weather in Hazenbak had turned colder. Nick considered going back in for a hoodie but then decided against it figuring that once he got going he would be plenty warm enough. He started out at a jog until he began to feel that burst of adrenaline coursing through his veins.

As the endorphins kicked in Nick began to lengthen his stride, coming into his normal rhythm. Not being as familiar with the area, Nick was careful to watch where he was going on the paths. The last thing he needed was to get lost in the woods.

Running was freeing and for the first time that day Nick felt at ease with himself. Mile after mile, his feet pounded the earth. He couldn’t help that his mind kept reverting back to that little fiery fairy that seemed hellbent on hating him.

There was something about Princess Lia, he couldn’t put his finger on. It wasn’t the ridiculous clothes, although clearly, she needed help in that department. And it wasn’t her sparkling personality—obviously. But there was something almost vulnerable, perhaps it was in her eyes or the way her hands seemed to fidget.

Nick shook his head, he must be crazy. There was nothing soft or vulnerable about that harpy.

Rounding the bend he wasn’t looking ahead and ran smack dab into another runner on the path. He reached out to grab the person before they fell but it was a lost cause.

They both smacked the hard ground, him sadly, on the bottom.

Gobs of dark red curls covered his face as he tried to replace the air that had been knocked out of him. Closing his eyes again he wondered if someone was out to get him.

His attacker moaned and it was definitely not one of pleasure. He could hardly countenance the feeling of firm breasts pressing into his chest and the rapid breathing against his neck.

“Are you alright?” the voice squeaked and immediately Nick knew who was sprawled across him. To make matters worse, his cock was beginning to take notice of the female who had sat up to straddle him. Her hands cupped his cheeks as she leaned down to…

“What are you doing?” he expostulated as his eyes snapped open.

Princess Lia was leaning in close, her sweet breath brushing his face and her hands were still cupping his whiskered cheeks.

“I was going to give you mouth to mouth resuscitation,” she said without hesitation. “You were unconscious.”

“I was still breathing!” Nick grabbed her by the waist and set her to the side of him.

The last thing he needed was Benedick’s little sister feeling his growing wood. What had come over him?

No, what had come over her?

Lia blinked in confusion, “Oh, I suppose you are right.”

Then she grinned, and he felt as if the sun had just decided to shine down upon him. This only served to piss him off further.

“Don’t you watch where you are going?” he demanded.

Lia’s smile dimmed and he wanted to kick his own ass for hurting her even in this small way.

“The same could be said for you,” she retorted and then winced when she brought a hand up covered in blood.

“You’re bleeding!” he panicked looking around as if a nurse would suddenly be popping out of the foliage.

“Brilliant, Sherlock, nothing gets past you!” her words dripped of sarcasm.

She lifted her elbow and there was a jagged cut from a rock she had fallen against. Not seeming overly concerned. Lia whipped her shirt over her head and pressed it to the wound.

Nick’s eyes bulged and he looked everywhere but at his friend’s little sister who had a surprisingly perfect pair of tits cradled in a hot pink sports bra. He could see her round nipples through the fabric, although he was trying not to look.

Who knew she had that under her granny clothes?

“You can’t get naked out here!” Nick demanded.

Lia had quite enough of his high handed attitude. Rising to her feet he noticed that her stomach was trim and flat. She wore tiny running shorts that would most likely be featured in his dreams that night. Long tone legs made up the perfect picture of sensual womanhood.

This was not good.

Not good at all.

She was Benedict's sister, hell that almost made her his sister.

Sister’s didn’t have tits. They were sexless like aunts and teachers. They didn’t have legs that one could picture wrapped around their waist or even better their head.

Lia eyed him warily, “You look weird, are you alright? Did I hurt you?”

Nick’s pride demanded that he rise to his feet and escort her back to the castle. Just as soon as she had a shirt on.

“Fine,” he said curtly, “But you have to put your shirt back on.”

She raised the bloody object, “Not likely.”

With a grumble, Nick reached up and pulled his own athletic shirt off his body and yanked it over her head.

“Then you will wear mine,” he demanded. And when she started to argue he stepped in close giving her an intimidating glare.

It was then that her eyes registered that he was standing in front of her in a pair of running shorts slung low on his hips.

“Oh,” her mouth popped open in a perfect oval and all Nick could think about was her enthusiasm for oral.

It was going to be a long trip back to the castle.