The Mad Princess and the Dying Prince novel Chapter 64

"When I was young, Consort Dowager Amira was quite kind to me."

He instinctively offered an explanation, but immediately felt awkward. Why was he explaining himself to her?

"How could you tell?"

Lucia flattened his left palm and lightly traced a circle with her index finger.

Jareth flinched.

The sensation of her delicate fingertip grazing his skin sent an indescribable shiver straight to his chest.

He had never been this physically close to anyone. It was incredibly unsettling.

Yet, oddly enough, after her touch, a slow warmth bloomed in his palm, a stark contrast to the deathly cold that usually plagued him.

"Don't you find this a bit too intimate?" Jareth arched an eyebrow.

Lucia rolled her eyes.

"Do you think I enjoy this? I warned you. You must guard your purity these next six months, or you will find yourself in an early grave."

"Lucia," Jareth hissed, his face darkening. "I am in mourning. What kind of degenerate do you take me for?"

Not to mention, Consort Dowager Amira was his father's woman!

Lucia looked at him and sighed.

"I am trying to warn you to be wary of this Dowager. Your left hand carried traces of a very foul perfumed powder. Only a woman would wear it, for the scent is incredibly specific."

Jareth frowned. "Foul? In what way?"

"The powder is laced with something potent. Inhale too much, and it acts as a powder to arouse desire." Lucia stared right at him, her eyes practically screaming her intent.

Do you understand now?

The message was unmistakable.

Jareth's face drained of color.

But that was Consort Dowager Amira.

"Perhaps it wasn't meant for you, but stay on your guard. We are only three days into our arrangement, and I will not accept a breached contract."

For the sake of the Purple Aura she needed, he had to keep himself alive.

Jareth's face was thunderous.

"Your Highness, what did Lady Lucia want?" Azure asked in complete bewilderment.

Jareth shot him a dark glare. "Mind your own business."

Inside the rolling carriage, Lucia sighed in absolute bliss.

Ah, such rich, kingly Purple Aura. It was so nourishing. If only she could shrink Jareth down and carry him around in a pouch for constant snacking.

What a shame he had to be an actual human being.

The Finch family was waiting for Lucia in a state of utter desperation.

Physician Finch truly believed she could save his grandson, but the rest of the household was fraught with doubt. They simply wanted her to arrive so they could determine if she was useless and immediately seek out a real healer.

Yet, the old physician insisted on Lucia's power, and no one dared openly defy him.

"My head! Argh! It hurts!" Corin Finch shrieked.

The family surged forward in panic. "Corin is awake!"