Karia and the Prince (Avalon Adventures Book 2) Read online

  One of the boys volunteered to go first. He stood and said, “I worked at the local newspaper office for most of the summer. It was interesting to see how a small press was run.”

  “Very good. Anyone else?” the master asked.

  A girl whom Karia remembered from the year before spoke next. “My aunt was able to get me a job in the offices of the book publisher she works for. I spent my time editing. I was able to get away for a week with friends, though.”

  “Excellent experience. Karia, how about you? I believe you worked for your father. Am I right?”

  She stood and said, “Yes, sir. I worked Monday through Friday for his publication. I wrote a few articles and spent some time proofreading. We were fortunate to be able to take a family trip before the summer was over.”

  Another boy had spent his days in a local printing press. It seemed all the students had worked over the summer, most in some sort of journalism establishment.

  It was almost time to break for lunch when the master said, “I’m pleased to know that you all had an experience filled break. Be ready to put your noses to the grindstone tomorrow as we will begin by discussing ethics in writing. Have a good afternoon. Dismissed.”

  As they filed out of the room, he added, “I will see you later, Karia. Do not be late.”

  “Of course not, sir,” she replied.

  Grr. He would have to remind her of her tardiness on her first day last year, which had resulted in the most humiliating punishment.

  She quickly walked to the dining room and joined her friends when she saw that they had saved her a place at the table.

  “So, did your ass get smacked yet?” Colleen teased as she sat down.

  Karia stuck her tongue out at her. “No, it did not!”

  Lunch was a simple buffet with soup, salad and sandwiches. They discussed their morning then went their separate ways again to face the afternoon.

  She spent her study hour completing the work for Professor Clarice’s class and making some notes for her term assignment. Next, it was back to Master Armstrong for her creative writing class and then her meeting with him. She had him on her schedule three times a day this year. Ye gods, how would she survive that? At least, it was only four days a week and not five. Thank God for small favors.

  She walked in and found a seat again. Most of the class was already there, but a few students trickled in after she did. When it was time to begin, he initiated a discussion about story writing, after which he assigned each of them to write a short story to be turned in on Thursday. Karia waited at her desk until all the others had gone. Then she looked up at him expectantly. What would they discuss at this end of the day meeting? Was she to endure a punishment from him? A lecture? What, exactly, would this meeting consist of?

  He forced her to wait, which only made her anxiety ten times worse. Finally, he got up and walked over to her desk. He leaned over her and said, “I understand your family vacationed with the royal family, Miss Daly. I’m sure that pleased you very much.”

  “W-we had a nice time, sir.”

  “So, am I to understand that you are still insistent on seeing Prince Henry, against the wishes of your father?”

  “H-he is all right with our friendship, as long as it doesn’t interfere with school, sir. The prince and I are both very busy, so there isn’t much time to get together.”

  “I realize it is not my business what you do with your personal life, Miss Daly. As I have told you before, I respect your father very much and I know what his hopes for you are. I felt I had to remind you that your schooling must come first right now. Hopefully, there will be none of the nonsense we were all forced to endure last year with the royal bodyguards and that business with the paparazzi. I am only looking out for your best interests as a close friend of your father.”

  “That shouldn’t be an issue, sir. The prince is no longer here at the academy. He will be traveling most of the time.”

  “Very well then. Now, that we have that unpleasantness out of the way, tell me about your term assignment and how you plan to go about researching it.”

  They spent the next forty minutes talking about the plans for her assignment, with him surprisingly giving her a few pointers. He looked at the clock then and said, “You may go, Karia. One more word, though, if I may. Do not think for one moment that because you are in your second year at the academy, you are immune to punishments. I’m sure, before too long, you will have earned one. Dismissed.”

  “Yes, sir. Have a nice evening,” she said as she gathered her things and rushed for the door. Damn that man, anyway! What was his deal?

  She unlocked the door to her room a few minutes later and collapsed on the bed. It was strange not running into Henry in the halls or at breakfast. And there was no guard outside her door or following her around all day. There would be no visits to the tower for stolen kisses this year. But, she could see him in the city during her weekend stays if he was in town. How cool was that? It couldn’t have worked out any better, in her opinion. She couldn’t wait to tell him. He had promised to send her a text the first evening he was free. Right now, he was in France, attending some sort of royal event there. He would have meetings during the day and dinners in the evenings. But she knew he would get in touch with her when he could. And when he did, she would let him know her good news.

  And then, on the other end of the spectrum, there was Master Armstrong, already threatening to spank her. Why had she felt that twinge of excitement and slight flood between her legs when he’d said those words to her? It wasn’t right. She loved Henry, so how could Oliver incite such feelings? What was happening to her, and why was she so confused all the time?

  Chapter 2

  Master Oliver Armstrong looked up when he saw the girl with the long, dark hair chatting with her friends in the dining room. He’d looked forward to the start of the new term at the academy and especially to the return of Karia Daly.

  Oh, how he longed to see her bare again, and even more, his hand itched to turn that so perfect white bottom cherry red.

  But, he would have to bide his time. He knew she would slip up soon, and he would be justified in administering a punishment when it happened. That was her nature, to get into trouble.

  Karia was the only daughter of his mentor, the esteemed journalist, Gordon Daly. This was her second year at the Academy of the Arts on Avalon Mountain. As one of her professors, he’d been able to watch her grow last year as she pursued her goal of following in her father’s footsteps. She’d been handed a monumental assignment to write an article about Prince Henry, the heir to the throne. Her job was to build up the young royal’s image. Always a playboy and a partier, he was the spare, with his older brother, Alexander, as the true heir. Oliver knew Alexander from Eton, and he had been nothing like his younger brother, as he had always known his role in life.

  But when Alexander met with an untimely death, which was later found not to be accidental at all, young Henry was forced to take his place. A full image cleanup was in order, and that’s where Karia had come in.

  When Karia and Prince Henry began to have feelings for each other that went beyond friendship, both the professor and Karia’s father were against it. She had a much different future mapped out for her by her father, and it didn’t include becoming the bride of the heir.

  Oliver had done all he could to convince the young, impressionable girl that a relationship with the prince was foolish, but he didn’t think he’d had much luck in that respect. And so, Karia had visited the palace several times, using the excuse that it was to work on her assignment. Oh, the article had been good, and it had accomplished what it was supposed to, but he felt sure that’s not all she’d been working on while there.

  Was he jealous of her relationship with the prince as it appeared to grow stronger? That was a ridiculous thought. She was his student after all. He could not, under any circumstances, pursue an affair with her. Other than teaching her about journalism, giving her occasional advice and
punishing her for wrongdoings, his hands were tied. No matter how much his body and his heart objected, he would have to wait until the time was right and hope she didn’t run off and marry the prince in the meantime. Her father would be pleased to have him for a son-in-law rather than the prince, Oliver was sure. But again, not until the girl was graduated and established in her career. It was going to be a long few years for him, he knew.

  Oliver joined the other faculty members and enjoyed a pleasant meal. They had arrived back on the mountain a week before the students to prepare for the new school year. He had vacationed in Ireland over the summer with his brother and had thoroughly enjoyed himself. He was more than refreshed and ready for the new term to begin. Especially now that Karia was back and the prince wasn’t.

  The following day, he met with Karia at the end of her schedule. His hand was still itching to touch her bare bottom, but he would have to wait until he had ample reason to punish her. He had her in two classes this year, plus the meeting at the end of each day. She was on a four day a week class schedule this year, with three Fridays a month free to study, leaving one weekend open to travel into the city. He wasn’t crazy about that idea, but he had no say in the matter. Professor Evelyn set up the assignments for the term for each student. He tried to make a point of lecturing her about seeing the prince, but he could pretty well bet she’d make time for him whenever she was in the city if he was in town. He had to admit that the young man had seemingly made a turnaround for the better with his life. He just wasn’t sure that royal life was the life for a girl like Karia. Karia was impulsive and adventurous with a nose for journalism. She was good at her studies and good at her work. It would be such a shame for her to give that up for a life in the shadow of the future king, attending functions and producing heirs. She was meant for so much more. He knew all girls dreamed of a prince charming and the chance to become a princess, but somehow, Karia did not fit into that mold. If he thought he could spank her into submission and make her realize that fact, he would gladly do it, but alas, he could not. Not now, anyway. Not yet.

  And so, he would go about his duties and bide his time. But he would keep a close eye on the only daughter of Gordon Daly, the beautiful dark-haired beauty who haunted his dreams each night.

  Prince Henry left his guard at the door and stepped inside his luxurious hotel suite. He knew the man would be in the adjoining room all night if he needed him, but right now, he just wanted to be alone. It had been a long and tedious day, full of greeting other dignitaries and attending meetings. A long and boring dinner had followed. This was his new normal, though, and he had best learn to like it. It wasn’t like he had a choice in the matter.

  He showered, letting the hot spray of the rain-head cascade over his tired body. When he’d finished, he dressed in a pair of pajama bottoms only. He poured himself a drink from the bar in the sitting room and walked back into the bedroom of the suite. As he sat down and flipped on the television set, he allowed himself to think about Karia. He wondered how her first day had gone now that she was back at the academy. He’d enjoyed their fortnight together during the summer. It was too late to text her tonight, but he’d try to do that tomorrow evening. He would be free after six and would enjoy a relaxing dinner in his room then text with her for a while.

  It was strange not to see her every day now. His schedule was packed, but he had managed to keep the week of her fall break free so that he could be with her at the palace. Her parents had agreed to her visiting with him at that time as long as she kept the Christmas holidays free for them.

  The little dark-haired beauty was slowly worming her way into his heart. He knew it was what his family wanted. Hers, not so much. Most parents were throwing their daughters his way, but not Mr. and Mrs. Daly. Oh, no, they wanted something else entirely for their only daughter. He couldn’t really say that he blamed them. Being a member of the royal family was no picnic. He had no choice, but Karia did. He didn’t know if they would ever make it to the altar, but for now, he was content to have her in his life. He’d made love to her, and she was sweet, although a bit inexperienced for his tastes. But his life was different now, and an alliance with Karia Daly could only be good for his image. It wasn’t necessary for him to marry someone of aristocratic heritage these days. Karia came from a good, well to do, well-thought-of family, and for his unconventional parents, that was enough. Still, he wasn’t ready for marriage, and neither was she. He was fond of her, quite fond, but was it love? In a way, yes, he was sure he felt love for her, but was it strong enough to spend the rest of his life with only her? If he married, he would be faithful to his wife, unlike the days of old, when kings had mistresses. So, he would need to make sure before he took things that far with Miss Daly. And he would want her to be certain that a life as a royal was what she wanted. At least, the paparazzi hadn’t scared her off—yet.

  Hell, his little sister would probably be married before he was. She was seeing that Brighton bloke pretty regularly now. And this was her last year at the university.

  He got up to pour himself another drink before settling into bed.

  The phone rang, and it was his guard asking if he required anything before he turned in for the night. He assured the man that he was fine and wished him a good night.

  Henry finished the drink and was soon asleep, sprawled out on the massive bed with the television still blaring.

  The next day, he attended meetings again, and when they were finally over, he ordered room service, enjoying the French cuisine before settling down to text Karia. He took a quick shower and plopped down on the bed before sending the first message.

  Hey, beautiful, how were your first two days?

  A few minutes later, she replied, Grueling to get back into the routine after the summer away from here, but so far, so good. I got my assignment.

  And? Do you get to interview me again? he teased.

  LOL No such luck. But there is good news. In order to do the research for my project on this year’s fashions, I’m being awarded a pass for one weekend each month to go into the city. I’ll be able to see you in the evenings if you’re in town.

  Fantastic news! I’ll email you a secure email with my itinerary, and you can then send me your monthly weekend schedules when you have them confirmed. Hopefully, we will be able to coordinate some time together. Are we still on for fall break?

  Of course, looking forward to it, she answered.

  Any problems with Armstrong? he asked next.

  Not yet, but the year is still young. Two days without a punishment.

  He sent a smiley emoji and said, Keep up the good work.

  In other news, Colleen met a guy over the summer. He’s from Scotland. His family owns a chain of hotels. Rhiannon had a few dates, but apparently, it’s nothing serious.

  Henry laughed to himself. His girl, the matchmaker, always wanting everyone else to find a love interest. I’m sure you’re glad to hear that. I know you want everyone to be happy.

  So much attention to my love life last year, I need a break.

  Another smiley emoji. I should let you get some rest. I’ll text again when I can. I head back home on Friday afternoon. I’ll get that itinerary to you tomorrow.

  Sounds good. Sleep well. Hugs.

  Dream of me. Goodnight, sweet Karia.

  He threw his phone on the nightstand and thought about her news, wondering if they would be able to find time for each other. He would look at his itinerary tomorrow. He needed a drink and some relaxation now.

  The next day, he looked over the upcoming trips the monarchy had planned for him. After France, he would be home for a week, attending some daily events, then it was on to Ireland for a visit. He emailed it to Karia, being careful to send it via secure email. Then he got dressed for dinner with some of the French dignitaries.

  His bodyguard knocked on the door as he was adjusting the tie to his tux. He let him in, and soon, they were on their way out the back door of the hotel to the waiting car that wou
ld take them to meet the others. The paparazzi was out in full force, and photographers were waiting for them as they got into the car, bulbs flashing. He waved to them, treating them to a smile, then hurriedly climbed into the backseat, and the driver took off.

  When he returned to his suite hours later and got ready for bed, he checked his email for a reply from Karia. It was there, but as he scanned through her schedule, he saw that her first weekend in the city would take place the week he was in Ireland. Fall break was in October, however, so he had that to look forward to anyway.

  He quickly replied to her email then settled in for the night. Tomorrow was another full day. Anyone who thought royals lived a life of leisure was sorely mistaken. His week had been packed with meetings and dinners.

  Karia had been disappointed to see that they would not be able to spend any time together during her first weekend in the city. She would make a point of getting a lot of research done then, so that she could devote more time to him the next time she was granted a pass. She had also learned the identity of the student she would be traveling with when she received her weekend schedules. Julia, one of the girls in her creative writing class, would accompany her. She liked the girl well enough and thought they would get along fine. She sought her out at dinner that night and they discussed their upcoming trip.

  “Julia, hi, I’m Karia, from Creative Writing.” She held out her hand in greeting.

  Julia shook her hand warmly. “Yes, I know you. I see that we will be travel buddies this year. How fun. I’m looking forward to it.”

  “I am as well. We’ll talk again before we go in a few weeks. I just wanted to introduce myself.”