A death that wasn’t what it seemed ... A kidnapping that isn’t what it seems ... Time is running out.<br><br>The morning after his wedding night, Prince Marcelo thought he’d be embarking on a journey to his own personal fairytale happily ever after with his husband Efren, the crown prince of Zioneven. But when news arrives indicating his sister’s death wasn’t as accidental as previously thought, that journey becomes fraught with danger.<br><br>Enmeshed in political intrigue, death, and a kidnapping that might not be what it seems, will Efren untangle the web of misleading clues in time to save the na?ve young man he’s already come to admire? Or will Marcelo dig deep to discover a previously untapped inner strength and determination to facilitate his own survival?

The Best-Laid Plans

Marcelo brushed his flyaway hair out of his face. For that matter, did he need to wait for the driver to stop the wagon? Surely that would be the ultimate surprise attack and might be his best bet if there was more than one man up there.


He pressed his lips together, picturing how that might play out, then sighed with a hard swallow. No. He had no training on how to drive a horse-drawn wagon.


He’d seen plenty drive by, but he knew nothing about the subtle movements or twitches or pulls that must be made to the reins to direct the horses. And what would he do if the driver dropped those reins during the scuffle? What if the horses took off running in response to the skirmish behind them?


Stealth in making his eventual escape might be as important as swiftness during his attack. Marcelo didn’t know who might be out there looking for him. Friend or foe?


Chapter 21