The Reluctant Prince

By TM Watkins

Cassius never expected his life to change. He was happy to live the life of a playboy prince. With his lovers Beth and Fenno at his side, he moved between his country Laeroth and Beth's homeworld, Earth. The enticing world is far from what he's used to in Laeroth. His partying lifestyle comes to an abrupt halt when his mother's favored guard appears, giving him a grim message. He must return home at once.

Ressanae has worked as Queen Aurielle's guard since she first entered the royal army. She has been a loyal and trustworthy protector of the leader's wife, hiding many secrets from those who looked at Aurielle. Her life has been one of service, wary of those around her and always keeping a sharp eye on her surroundings. Ressanae would die to protect her queen and she would do anything to ensure that she remains safe. Even if it means that she has to kill someone.

Trusted with bringing the young prince back to Laeroth, Ressanae travels to the obscure dimension that she'd only heard whispers of previously. Finding Cassius is the easy part, convincing him to return without saying too much will prove to be Ressanae's greatest challenge. Cassius knows what his future holds and he's not prepared to let go of the past and those who dwell in it.

Accepting a future bound by rules and limitations, Cassius believes that his life will become dull and depressing. Forced to marry and produce an heir, he thinks that no wife will accept the lovers that have been his entire world. He's seen how his father's many concubines have destroyed his mother's happiness. Cassius knows what damage it can do but he cannot let go of Fenno who has been by his side for longer than he can remember and Beth, the temptress from another world.

Finding a path to a happy future will entwine their paths in ways that Cassius or Ressanae never imagined, creating a life they never expected.

• Language: English
• Publisher: TM Watkins
• Release date: May 1, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005396855

TM Watkins

TM Watkins lives in Brisbane, Australia with her family. When she's not working or running around after her family, she spends her days contemplating the next adventure for her characters and her nights writing about them.

Book preview

Queen Aurielle sat up with a fright, her hand clutching her chest as her heart pounded heavily. Fear filled her as the vision continued to roll through her mind. Sliding her legs off the daybed, she gripped the soft fabric and waited for her heart to settle. Attempting to form some kind of focused thought was pointless but she had to try.

The vision was ominous. It was dark. It left her with a dread that would not leave.

Rising from the daybed, Aurielle rushed through the castle, searching for her guard. There were few Aurielle trusted, but Ressanae was one of them.

She found the strapping elf stretched back in the seat in the cool of the balcony, her heavy boots on the stone balustrade as she cut the paloni with her dagger. The fruit sounded crisp as she bit into it, reminding Aurielle it had been some time since she last ate. Her stomach turned at the thought of it.

Hearing a noise behind her Ressanae turned to see the queen approach. She stood with a tip of her head.

My lady.

Ress, Aurielle gasped.

What’s wrong?

Instantly, Ressanae was ready to pull her sword out and protect her queen. She’d demanded a rest after brunch, which was not standard for Aurielle, but Ressanae wasn’t about to say anything. The queen did as she pleased and that’s all there was to it.

A vision, Aurielle said quietly.

Ressanae’s back went rigid as her eyes darted around the area. They were alone but she knew to be careful. Aurielle was not an elf but, rather, a witch from Weskana. They were rumors, tales created to scare children and not real. Except, Aurielle was definitely real.

The talents of a witch were hard to define as no one ever came forward and declared themselves to be one. The only reason Ressanae knew Aurielle was one was that she blacked out one day. While Aurielle was passed out, she mumbled some truths about Ressanae that no one knew.

What of, my lady?

Darkness. I can see Mannix and Cassius.

Ressanae frowned, growling softly in anger. King Mannix? Ressanae could say a few things about him and not one of them would be pleasant. Aurielle put up with a lot but Ressanae knew that it was the elves' way of life to have lovers. The female population was thin and often the males would partner for pleasure, only finding a female when they wanted to reproduce.

As for Cassius, he was their wayward son, heir to the throne. Last she heard, Cassius was supposed to be in Rothu with his guard, undertaking his years of work service. In fact, he was somewhere far away. A place called Earth.

Ressanae had no idea where it was or how to get there. Aurielle had talked about it in a dismissive way, more annoyed that Cassius was avoiding his future and his responsibilities.

Time frame?

Aurielle shrugged.

I don’t know.

Alright. Let’s find his highness and make sure everything is okay.

Ressanae knew that Aurielle wouldn’t approach a dark vision on her own. She feared the unknown.

It was early afternoon, so both women knew where the king would be. His life was one of routine and at this time of the day, he’d take leave from his duties and rest for a few hours. Mannix claimed it was to let lunch settle, but in reality, he was always with one of his lovers.

Aurielle had accepted it a long time ago. She didn’t want to but Mannix suggested that she could find her own lovers as well. The only stipulation for each of them was that their lovers had to be of their own gender to avoid an unwanted pregnancy.

Weaving through the corridors, Aurielle and Ressanae soon stood before the large wooden double doors to Mannix’s private chambers. It consisted of a sitting room at the front with his private office to the side; beyond that was his bedroom.

Aurielle looked at Ressanae. She was the strength that Aurielle always needed, a confidant ally that always had the right words. The woman was fractionally taller than her, the golden-blond hair pulled to the crown of her head, shaved along the side as was the custom for the guards. Aurielle disliked the helmets that the guards wore but never bothered to say anything. It wasn’t like Mannix would listen to her and if he did, she was certain he’d say that the helmets were fine and no guard cared about shaving off a bit of hair.

Ressanae gave Aurielle a sympathetic smile, hoping that she could be comforting and supportive. Taking a deep breath, Aurielle pushed on the handle and opened the door.

It was not the first time that she’d walked in on Mannix and one of his lovers. She didn’t care for it but accepted it all the same. With a look of indifference, she’d say whatever she needed to and then leave. Aurielle would hide the pain from him, pain often made worse because he’d refuse to stop what he was doing.

Ressanae closed the door, turning to Aurielle as she walked through the sitting room. The doors to the bedroom were open and Aurielle could see that the bed was empty. Yet she could hear the heavy breathing and moans from Mannix. He was here but not where she’d expected him to be.

Turning to the office, Aurielle began to walk but stopped. The lover that was with Mannix said something, and Aurielle felt as if her heart dropped into her stomach. Pain filled her as she listened to the ecstasy of a woman. Not just any woman but her lady in waiting.

Treachery in its finest form.

Ressanae leaned down to whisper in Aurielle’s ear.

If she gets pregnant…

Aurielle nodded. The laws were seriously messed up in Aurielle’s opinion. Cassius was the heir but only because Mannix and Aurielle were married and still together. If Mannix decided that he was no longer interested in Aurielle, he could dissolve their marriage and that would mean Cassius was no longer heir. If another woman happened to be on the scene and pregnant, then the child would be named heir.

Aurielle knew that if her son was to be the king one day, she had to do something about the backstabber.

Taking another deep breath, Aurielle found her resolute nature and hoped that it would hold. Stalking into the room with the intention of dealing with the problem, Aurielle wondered if this was the darkness that she’d felt. Was the bright future of being king about to be taken away from Cassius?

Pushing the door open farther, Aurielle turned her gaze to the desk. They’d stripped down to nothing, their clothes tossed across the room in a flurry of passion. To Aurielle, it said a lot. This was not someone doing as their king demanded. They were together because they wanted to be. That meant trouble for Aurielle and Cassius, and it was not something she was prepared to accept.

Realizing they were not alone, Mannix looked up and saw his wife and her favored guard. His eyes widened and, for once, Mannix stopped what he was doing. Lorea, who was on her back, turned her head to see what had caught his attention.

She smiled with defiance and since Mannix had decided to stop, she thought it would be a great time to rub salt into the wound. Lifting up, Lorea slid off the desk. She didn’t care that she was naked; it added to the joyous moment.

Her hand smoothed over the swell that Aurielle had never noticed because of the many layers of clothes that Lorea wore. She was pregnant.

We’ve been lovers for some time. Mannix and I were just celebrating our good news. Our child will be born and he will be named heir.

Lorea turned to collect her clothes, not realizing that Mannix had slumped into his chair. Ressanae glanced at her queen. She stared with a burning hatred and gritted teeth. It was taking a lot for her to not say something.

There were two things that Ressanae knew. One, Mannix was dead, and, two, if she didn’t kill Lorea right now, Aurielle would.

Moving swiftly, Ressanae crossed the gap, grabbed her head, and turned it sharply. The snap made Aurielle jump with fright. As the body fell to her feet, Ressanae turned to her queen.

My lady, you are distraught at seeing your husband pass away. It is best that you sit in the lounge.

Aurielle’s eyelashes fluttered, tears sliding down her cheeks as she watched Ressanae drag the woman’s body over to the desk. Ressanae knocked papers off then began positioning Lorea to make it seem like she’d fallen off the desk. Once she’d ensured that both were dead and the scene was perfect, Ressanae guided Aurielle to the lounge. Sitting beside her, Ressanae took her hands.

Aurielle, she said softly.

Her eyes turned to her guard.

Listen to me. I will not tell a soul of what has passed here today. We found them like that, do you understand?

Aurielle nodded then frowned.

Why would you lie and kill for me?

Because, my lady, you have always been good to me. Cassius will make a great king.

Aurielle let out a sob, her hand lifting to her lips.

Oh, my darling boy. Ress, you must find him. Bring him home.

My duty is to you, my lady. I am honored at your request, but I take my oath to protect you seriously. I’ve never been to Earth. I would not know how to find him.

I have the coordinates. It won’t take you long.

Alright, but on one condition. I will choose the guard that remains with you. I do not trust the senators.

What would they do, Ress? I’m the queen mother now—I hold no value.

Ressanae said nothing but she did not agree. As for the replacement guard, it would be who she picked and who she could trust.

Chapter 1

Ressanae stood in front of the house, glancing around the street. There was no sign of activity in the house but the street was certainly busy. Peering through the window, Ressanae saw a distinct decorating theme: no furniture.

Growling angrily, she turned and walked to the end of the short garden path. A man walking his dog approached, looking at the odd woman. He hoped to walk past and there would be no interaction but the second that her eyes locked with his, he knew it was pointless.

The resident of this house?

Moved to the city with her boyfriends, he grumbled. And yes, I’m certain. As her ex-boyfriend and ex-boss, I know all the horrid details.

Then perhaps you’d like to offer the coordinates of the new residence?

David looked at the woman warily but then shrugged. What did he care if someone was looking for Beth? She knew how to look after herself. The punch to the gut that he’d received after she found out that he’d cheated on her certainly proved that.

Pulling out the mail that he’d pocketed on the way out, David opened it and stuffed the mail back into his pocket. Using the envelope, he wrote the address on it and handed it over.

You did not get this from me, understood?

Of course.

Ressanae flipped the odd envelope over, noting that there was no other information on it.

I’m not from around here.

You don’t say, David said sarcastically. Look, I don’t know what kind of nonsense Beth has gotten herself into but clearly, you know more than I do. You kind of look like the boyfriends with your pointy ears and all.

My ears are not that pointy, Ressanae grumbled, then waved the envelope at him. Where is this? How can I get there quickly?

Glancing around the street, David noted a distinct lack of transportation. There was no way she’d make it to the city quickly.

Okay, he sighed. But you’re paying for gasoline.

What is gasoline?

Pressing his lips tight, David wondered what he’d gotten himself into.

Ressanae followed the peculiar man back to his house where he left the dog. A woman glared at her with subdued anger as she held the dog, Ressanae wondered what she’d done wrong.

Is there something wrong with your friend?

She’s got trust issues. Don’t worry about it.

David opened the door and waited.

Do you expect me to sit on that seat?

If you want a free ride into the city to find your friends, yeah. Take it or leave it, lady.

With a huff, Ressanae sat down. David closed the door and moved to the driver’s-side door. Ignoring the death stare that was being handed out, David slid in behind the wheel and started the car. The odd woman looked like she was about to have a panic attack.

Let me guess. You’ve never been in a car before, have you?

Ressanae shook her head, wondering how much she should or could say. David nodded, pulling out onto the road.

So, I’m guessing that something pretty funky is going on. I mean, Beth thinks that I didn’t see Mia at her house after several years of being missing but I did. Then she just drops off the planet again and so does Beth. I’m about to call the cops and Beth appears again, this time with two guys. So, how about you do a little explaining.

I don’t know anything about Beth. I’m here for her friends. Or at least one of them.

Uh-huh. So, where’s Mia then?

Never heard of her.

Sure you have. Beth said she married some rich guy named Jodan.

Oh, the fae king. Yes, I heard that.

Ressanae paused and then turned her head to the silent one. With a sigh, she turned back to the view out the window. It was far too much for her but it was better than the inquisitive one next to her.

Fae, eh? So, you really are from another planet.

Dimension, Ressanae murmured tersely. Do you ever shut up?

Nope. The drive is a rather boring one. What’s it like?

Vastly different to this world. We do not have beasts like this thing. Our buildings are not as blinding as that thing over there. There are some things that are the same. I noted that your canine is rather young, how big shall it get?

David thought about Puddle and wondered if she would get any bigger.

Think she’s done with her growing. How big do the dogs in your world get?

Quite large. Although they are no match for height against the wolves. This beast would be the size of a young wolf. They primarily live in my country.

Cripes, David groaned. You can keep your world if that’s what you’ve got roaming around.

Ressanae smiled as she looked out the side window. Yes, the wolves were big but they were nothing compared to what came out of Metarn each seeding season.

After half an hour, David slowed beside a small garden home that Beth had given him the address of. Well, she handed it over to him because he was the one that dealt with the mail in the town. He wasn’t supposed to be handing it over to anyone or personally delivering them to her and her friends. 

Ressanae offered the envelope back, looking at David directly. It was a trick that Aurielle had taught her, only to be used when necessary. It came with warnings and a little notation that it only worked on weak minds. Ressanae hoped that these humans were easily manipulated.

There is no such thing as fae, elves, giant wolves. Our conversation did not happen. You delivered a friend to Beth in the city and now you will go home.

David stared at her until she blinked. He frowned and then looked around the car.

"Uh, hey.