Princess Karrie marched away from Damien’s room, a frown creasing her forehead. What had Daddy been thinking, sending Damien off on a mission so soon? She’d only just begun working on him and it would take weeks to wear him down enough that he’d accept the inevitable. She would marry him, and that was that.

A servant scurried out of her way, but Karrie paid her no more attention than she did the paintings that decorated the walls every few feet. It would have been ideal if Damien wanted to marry her as much as she did him, but it didn’t look like that would happen. If she knew who she was up against it would make it much easier to turn him to her way of thinking.

Maybe he preferred older girls, like Lane. Karrie chewed her lip. That didn’t seem likely. He hadn’t shown any great interest in her when Karrie had said something. Damien clearly regarded Lane as a job and nothing more.

Maybe someone from The Tower? It made sense that he might have another sorcerer for a girlfriend. How could she find out?

She barged through the door to the royal quarters, eager to take her father to task over sending Damien away. The kitchen and dining room sat empty and spotless, no doubt thanks to the efforts of the servant she’d seen earlier. She took a couple of steps and peeked into the sitting room. Empty, though a small fire burned in the hearth. Daddy must have had a meeting.

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“Mom!”

“In the sewing room, dear.” Her mother’s faint voice came from the back of their quarters.

Karrie rushed down the carpeted hall, past their bedrooms, to her mother’s sewing room. The small room had a pair of windows that let in the morning sun. Her mother sat at her square embroidery hoop, her delicate stitches creating a scene of dragons flying through a clear sky.

Mom set her needle down and looked up at her. “What’s wrong, dear?”

Karrie plopped down on the floor facing her mother. “Dad sent Damien on a mission. I just started working on him. How can I convince Damien to do what I want if he’s not here?”

“My dear girl, badgering the boy won’t convince him to do what you want. You need to tease him and seduce him. It takes time. When he comes back try playing hard to get. Maybe invite one of those boys that’s always chasing after you to visit the castle. Make him jealous. Ideally you want him to come to you.”

“It’s bad enough I have to deal with those idiot boys at the stupid balls the nobles and merchants are constantly throwing. The last thing I want is to have them hanging around the castle as well.” Karrie chewed her lip some more. “And what if it doesn’t work? I’m not sure Damien likes me that way. If he doesn’t he’s likely to feel relieved instead of jealous.”

“Hmm.” Mom tapped her chin. “That’s a good point. I’d assumed every boy would want to marry you. You are the heir to the throne. But that probably doesn’t mean much to Damien. He’s too much like his father. Fredric always hated politics. Well, if the usual tactics don’t work we’ll try something more drastic. One thing is certain. If you wish to secure your reign and not become some man’s arm candy, you need Damien. His power, combined with a disdain for politics, make him perfect. With him at your side no one would dare challenge your rule.”