Chapter 8

No cloth was held to keep modesty and Emmett was awarded the view of a seemingly deliberate slow-motion removal of layers of silk and lace, linen and wool. The prince’s body was smaller than first imagined, though hard with training and lingering youth. Barely in his twenty-third year, if Emmett’s recollections were right, though far too old according to the royal parents, to still be enjoying the freedom of unwedded bliss, if the rumours could be trusted. Though Emmett held no doubts that had he himself been graced with the body of a young god, had the wealth of an entire country at his disposal, and the fairness of face that Andrewe had been granted, Emmett wouldn’t choose to tie down either. He was lucky though; shipmen weren’t expected to wed in the same manner. Not a breath had been spoken on it and Emmett was already twenty-six.