Read The Lightning-Struck Heart for Free Online Page A

embarrassing.
    “Holy crap,” Ryan said from somewhere above me.
    I opened my eyes and things were slightly fuzzy around the edges. But then my world was filled with the most beautiful green eyes to have ever greened. A lock of hair hung down on his forehead, and I knew I must have been rattled because I was giving very serious consideration to reaching up and brushing it away. I mastered control of my faculties just in time to stop my hand from moving, but that desperate action left all my brain function on my arm and away from my mouth. Which is the only explanation for why I said in a breathy whisper, “You are way too pretty to exist in this world with us mere mortals.” I somehow managed to stop myself from calling him Knight Delicious Face. It was close.
    And he smiled . Like I had amused him . There were full-on white teeth just inches from my face, and the corners of his eyes crinkled so endearingly that I wanted to wax poetically about his every feature so that he’d smile at me for the rest of our lives. Bards would be singing his praises for centuries by the time I was done with him.
    “Think you hit your head,” he said, and I felt his breath on my face. He must have had eggs and coffee for breakfast and there is no reason why that smell should have been as hot as it was. I would never be able to have that combination again without going full mast. He had ruined breakfast for me forever .
    And we just stared at each other, faces so close. I was a magical being, so I had no qualms admitting that the moment was magical .
    Which is why it ended less than seven seconds later when another voice said, “ There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you. What the hell are you doing on the floor?”
    I closed my eyes and reminded myself of my place.
    Because I had a place.
    And it most certainly wasn’t near the level of the man behind Ryan.
    Prince Justin descended the stairs.
    Prince Justin, the King’s only son.
    Prince Justin, the future King for whom I would serve as the King’s Wizard.
    Prince Justin, who looked like he was carved from marble by the loving hands of a true artist. All severe lines and planes and muscle and perfectly coifed brown curls that fell ever so elegantly across his head as if they had nothing better to do than make sure Prince Justin looked better than anyone else.
    Prince Justin, Ryan Foxheart’s boyfriend.
    Prince Justin, who abhorred me.
    “Well, look who it is,” Justin said, sounding like he’d just stepped in a pile of dog shit. “Surprise, surprise. Another fine mess you’ve got yourself into, eh, Sam? The stories we hear about your negligence are just astounding .”
    I opened my eyes and Ryan was still above me, but the smile was gone, replaced by a frown. I wanted to tell him to bring the eye-crinkles back because they were so nice, but I somehow managed to keep that little tidbit to myself. Justin could have me executed. And if there is one thing I didn’t want, it was to be executed.
    “Leave him alone, Justin,” Ryan said. “It was my fault. I wasn’t watching where I was going.”
    And that was a big fat lie. Which was awesome.
    Ryan pulled himself away, and I wanted to tell him to come back and make Justin leave, but then I thought of my head being chopped off and so I let him go.
    I was surprised when he extended a hand down to me and watched me with an earnest expression.
    Fuck Justin. This is all I would ever get, so I was going to take it. I reached up and his fingers circled my wrist. His skin was so warm, his palms callused and rough. His grip tightened on me and he pulled, the muscles in his forearm flexing in a way that was stupidly attractive. He pulled me up until I stood before him, and I didn’t think I’d ever been this close to him before. I was terribly amused to see I was taller than him by an inch or two, and the fact that he had to look up at me to meet my eyes would no doubt play a further part in my You’ve Been A Bad Knight