Prince Alec's Accidental Bride: a romantic high fantasy short story

By Jana Hammell

When Prince Alec's father and king commands him to wed, bed, and present a wife to His Royal Majesty in three months or less, Prince Alec sets up a tournament with a devious set of challenges that no female of his acquaintance could win.

He doesn't factor in an instant irritation and reluctant attraction for Raina from the border mountains, who just wants to win some money and prizes and go back home so that her beloved parents will be able to pay their taxes and lay in enough supplies to see them through the harsh mountain winters, and who believes him to be a fellow contestant, a gentleman fallen on hard times.

When Raina discovers the true intent of the tournament and Alec's true identity, she must decide between seeking safety in the life and world she already knows, and taking a chance on Prince Alec, the future, and on their love.

An 8,400-word romantic fantasy short story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Elskavi Publishing
• Release date: Dec 24, 2011
• ISBN: 9781465982346

Jana Hammell

Jana Hammell grew up reading fantasy and romance, and loves romantic fantasy with a happily ever after most of all.

Book preview

PRINCE ALEC'S ACCIDENTAL BRIDE:

A fantasy short story with romance

by

Jana Hammell

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Copyright © 2011 by Jana Hammell

Cover copyright © 2011 by Jana Hammell

published by Elskavi Publishing on Smashwords.com

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All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author except in the case of brief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places, and incidents are products of the writer's imagination or have been used fictitiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events, locales or organizations is entirely coincidental.

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Smashwords Edition License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the author's work.

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You have three moons to wed, bed, and present your wife to me.

Prince Alec's head jerked to face his father as the words rang out in the king's private chambers, lined austerely in tapestries that kept the cold out and instruments of battle. He was a tall and well-formed youth becoming a man, but he had only started growing a beard two winters since. To face the prospect of a lifetime shackled to a woman—

Sire!

The king shook his head. There is no reprieve. For me or you. I will see you wedded and bedded, and gods willing, with your heir in the womb before the winter is out.

Prince Alec made to speak, and the king slashed his be-ringed hand in the air. I have but a year, perhaps two, to live. Do you love, and do you love the people who entrust their safety and governance to you, you will obey, for I must see the line secure. It is your choice to leave the kingdom secure and content or in the rapacious hands of my throne-hungry brothers.

The advisors gasped.

Prince Alec's mouth thinned, grim.