Stroke of Midnight: Future Fairytales Read online

  Stroke of Midnight

  Future Fairytales

  Stella Dawn

  Contents

  Stoke of Midnight

  1. Petros

  2. Cyndi

  3. Cyndi

  4. Petros

  5. Cyndi

  6. Petros

  7. Tori

  8. Petros

  9. Petros

  10. Petros

  11. Cyndi

  12. Cyndi

  13. Cyndi

  14. The Ball

  15. The Dowager’s Wing

  16. Petros

  17. Tori

  18. Cyndi

  19. Cyndi

  20. Gwendolyn

  21. Petros

  22. Cyndi

  23. Petros

  24. Petros

  25. Petros

  26. Petros

  27. Petros

  28. Cyndi

  29. Gwendolyn

  30. Petros

  31. Cyndi

  32. Cyndi

  33. Petros

  34. Petros

  35. Petros

  36. Petros

  37. Epilogue

  About the Author

  Stoke of Midnight

  Cindy isn’t interested in princes and thinks that happily ever after is nothing more than a fairytale. But the other shoe is about to drop, because the only way for her to rescue her stepsisters from their wicked stepmother is to sneak into the ball and outmaneuver the one man she cannot stand — the arrogant, selfish, and sexy-as-sin king. Soon, she’s at risk of becoming a pawn in her own game, for the king is ruthlessly pursuing his own agenda. He’s determined to teach her a lesson before the night is through: at the stroke of midnight, nothing is forbidden.

  Turns out their unforgettable tryst is the least of their surprises. Do you know what’s more inconvenient than a misplaced glass slipper?

  Unplanned pregnancy.

  1

  Petros

  The universe is lavish with glinting stars. The Royal space yacht cuts through the velvet night sky, currently circling Delta Ohr. From my spot on the upper deck balcony, I can oversee all the activity on the deck below.

  Not that there is much to see. Since this is a royal party, all the guests are pretending to be bored. The aristocracy and diplomats are hard at work playing their perpetual court games: who has more influence than me, and who can I backstab today?

  "Your Highness," a sultry voice calls out to me from behind, causing me to turn. "I was hoping I'd find you up here."

  She's easily one of the most beautiful women on the ship, so it's surprising I don't recognize her. Most of the girls come from "the best" families and I've known them since childhood, which probably means she's someone's mistress.

  Well, whomever she belongs to has good taste. Her fuchsia skin is offset by long, golden curls. My eyes travel along the slick lines of her body, taking my time as I sip my bourbon. It burns against the back of my throat. "It seems you have found me."

  She takes a few steps closer until her narcotic perfume fills my nostrils. I'm sure she imagines herself to be an exotic flower, but her attractions are lost on me. I prefer the more tangible scents of brandy and wood.

  "I'm surprised you're not with your friends tonight," she says.

  I'm surprised too. With all of my royal duties, it was rare for me to be able to get away. That was more my younger brother's style.

  My friends think I should let loose once in a while. Bastian is especially insistent. Then again, Bastian is doing enough letting loose for two -- or should I say three? -- people. He's got a scantily-clad woman on each arm. Who would've thought the king's private chef would have an easier time getting lucky than the king?

  Maybe that's why I'm up here brooding. When you're running an entire country, you can't afford distractions. Taking time off made me feel guilty, not refreshed.

  Taking another sip, I swill around the last contents of my glass and steady my gaze on her. "I suppose I have other things on my mind."

  The smile she gives me chills my heart. "What other things, my Majesty?"

  She's even closer now, boldly probing my forearms with her long, polished fingernails. How dare she presume to touch me? Something about the way she moves reminds me of a snake.

  I almost remove her hand, but on second thought, take her fingers and bring them to my lips. Her resulting smile tells me this is exactly how she planned this to go. Ah well. I was stuck on this yacht for another three days. Maybe my friends would let me off sooner if I did what they brought me here to do and slept with a beautiful woman.

  Just as I lean in to suggest we take our party someplace more private, one of the women with Bastian lets out a squeal. "Awww!"

  Both my sexy companion and I glance over to the com screen to see what all the commotion is about.

  There's a leggy blonde pointing to another screen with the words "A RAGS TO RICHES STORY" emblazoned across it in bold letters. Above those words is a picture of my younger brother, the Prince of Delta Ohr holding in his arms a pretty dark-skinned woman. Both of them are wearing matching grins.

  "Turn that up," I demand, pointing to the screen. Completely forgetting my companion.

  "It's a headline from a fairytale, folks. It seems our very own Prince Rupert was opening the intergalactic visitor center and met someone who knocked him out of orbit. She is Dora West from planet Earth, traveling with her recently widowed mother, Gwendolyn, her twin sister, Tori, and stepsisters Cindy and Charlotte Burton. From the looks of things, Prince Rupert seems pretty serious. He has already invited the West family to spend a fortnight at the royal palace in the Dowager's wing.

  "According to Gwendolyn West, Dora's mother, they are very much in love with each other. We can't say whether nuptials are part of this romance but there is more than enough steam between these two to make up for the cold fish King of Delta Ohr.

  "Sorry, but this is one reporter who is willing to speak truth to power. The King looks like he is dead set upon being a bachelor throughout his reign. Who can blame the citizens of Delta Ohr from wanting at least one royal wedding to occur in their lifetimes?

  "Next up, Delta Ohr's two largest sand and gravel companies plan to merge. My how things seem to be coming together in Delta Ohr. This is Karinga Schultz, so stay tuned for this possible merger after these messages. . . ."

  I stand there, stunned, in the middle of everyone. My first thought is clearly there has been a gross miscommunication. There's no way in hell Rupert would meet a woman and invite her entire family to live on the royal estates without contacting me. I mean, I am the king. He needs my permission. Sometimes he could be clueless, but even Rupert knows the press will have a quartz-field day with all of this!

  But then again, I think about Rupert's huge heart, and how much he resembles of our departed father, Vlad, who also was incapable of hiding his feelings. It was possibly the reason why mother fell in love with him. That, and perhaps the fact that Vlad was King of Delta Ohr. She remained with us a while and then ran off with a lover. They settled in another solar system and both of us have never forgotten the pain she left us with. No child deserves to be abandoned. Rupert just lets it all hang out and I, well, I keep it all tucked in. No woman will get the best of my heart ever again. We were teenagers when she left us. Father died a few years later, while we were still at Preparatory school. I don't know how I would have survived that period if it wasn't for Bastian's friendship.

  Still, nothing prepared us for return to the castle and the crush of press and photographers and the endless stories of speculation. The country went into a pall. The sense of doom has been an oddly comforting companion since my early reign. I have neve
r dared to provoke the beast of gossip.

  I can live an entire life quite happily without one whiff of indiscretion and without the press inspecting every suspected dalliance. I have earned the moniker King Cod, due to my being perceived as a cold fish. And, I'm rather fond of that title.

  I slowly close my eyes, trying to pretend as if I didn't just hear the whole sickening story broadcast across the planet without a polite head's up from my brother. He respects me more than that. I just need to contact him as soon as possible.

  My cell-com vibrates in my pocket as if on cue, and when I see my brother's text in all caps, "SO, WHAT DO YOU THINK? ISN'T DORA A HOT PIECE OF ASS?"

  My mouth goes dry. I almost dropped the phone.It's as though someone has dropped a lead stone in the pit of my stomach.

  A hot piece of ass? Did he truly just say that? And was that all it took to betray his brother and make a mockery of our kingdom?

  How can this be happening? Anger boils every ounce of alcohol away. How could he have allowed me to learn of his relationship in this public manner? And who is this woman he's putting up in the Dowager's wing along with the rest of her family? He knows that I detest surprises.

  Bastian lurches over, drunk as sin and eager to save the day. "Hey, look. I know what you gotta be thinking right now . . ." Bastian slurs, slapping his arm around my shoulders.

  "Somehow I highly doubt that," I reply through gritted teeth.

  This doesn't deter my friend at all and he leans in, his booze-soaked breath makes me want to gag. "Prince Rupert is in love, pal. These things happen." He juts his chin over to the blue-eyed beauty sitting on the soft white leather benches. "It's love, Petros."

  I roll my eyes at his simplistic interpretation of events. No one understands what I am going through. I half wish never to speak to Rupert again. My other half wants to materialize right in his face before he makes more foolish decisions.

  I look past Bastian who is happy to be surrounded by warm curves and blonde haired beauties. I look right through the female in front of me and suddenly remember that I can be in my brother's face within the hour. On the other side of the space yacht is the landing pad. There, I have a sleek blue and white propelled, metallic beauty all my own.

  "I'm going to need the hover craft, Bastian."

  2

  Cyndi

  When I overhear Dora gushing to Toni in the middle of the night, I'm not eavesdropping. We girls all share the same hotel suite, and Dora is a little loud on a good day. On a good day, she can bring all 30 floors of the hotel down.

  Well, today's the best day of her life, and I'm surprised management doesn't call in the Galactic guard. Dora's usually breathy voice veers into screeching territory. She squeaks 'palace,' and 'royalty,' and 'we're getting married,' emitting those words on the sonar frequency of a dolphin. It takes me a moment to process what she is saying. Soon both Dora and Toni are squealing at each other and flopping backwards on their individual queen sized beds.

  I sit up on my inflatable mattress near the bathroom and ask, "Okay, Dora, can you please slow down and tell us what is going on?"

  "Prince Rupert has asked us to come stay in the Dowager's wing. It's part of the royal palace. I can bring my family . . . and I've just said yes!"

  All this noise wakens Char, my ten year old sister. Her cot is further away, tucked head first into a spare closet. "Hey, what's this about a palace and a prince?"

  "Don't you dare call him Prince! He's going to be your new brother in law!" She cries out with the strength of the Valkyrie claiming the soul of a hero as she sticks out her hand so we can all see her gigantic diamond.

  Char's eyes bulge. "Is that real?" Char asks.

  "Of course it's real. I'm gonna be a princess."

  "It's so big," Tori whispers. "Isn't it heavy for your hand?"

  "Hell yeah it is. I'm gonna have to start doing push-ups or something. But it's worth it, don't you think?"

  With that, she raises both hands and wiggles her fingers. Both of my sisters start dancing around her, squealing.

  My jaw hits the floor. Our lives haven't been the same since.

  For the next ten hours my step-mother, Gwendolyn, has been issuing out more orders than a sergeant. "Cyndi do our shopping, pack our bags, and make appointments to get our hair done."

  Thankfully, this hotel is so large that I can manage those orders without any of us having to leave the hotel. That's a good thing since it turns out Delta Ohr has a serious appetite for gossip. The silver lining is that this ritzy hotel has enough security to keep out the pesky paparazzi.

  I send Char to the lobby with a good book. I make appointments and finish packing our bags, and have just enough time to find three new gowns, completing my to do list. Dora, Tori and Gwendolyn emerge from their day at the salon looking like royalty. Thereupon, we take a hover sedan to the palace.

  I marvel how Gwendolyn goes through daddy's money and hope that she has some of her own. It might not matter. The rate she spends on her daughters no fortune will outlast her expectations. We are on an intergalactic grand tour, to broaden the Dora and Tori's horizons. Well, I guess my stepmother's ruthless social-climbing paid off because our last stop will be the palace Delta Ohr.

  At twenty, I'm old enough to claim independence. The only reason I won't leave is for the sake of my eight year old sister, Char. My mother died giving birth to her and I resolved she would never die in vain. Charlotte is all I have left of my parents and the perfect love that I was lucky enough to share. I will never let Charlotte know a life without love in it. Gwendolyn knows I would never leave Charlotte. She is also in need of a nanny, an organizer and a maid. As long as I have a back to break, my stepmother will never let me have custody of my little sister.

  * * *

  An hour and a half later, the driver pulls through the high iron gates and on either side of the narrow road sets of urns atop high plinths punctuate the long drive. At the end, the palace glows as sunlight shines on its golden stone walls and colorful flags wave on the turrets. The driver stops ,in front of two rows of guards standing on either side of the steps. As soon as Dora steps out Prince Rupert emerges from the palace doors with two attendants. He takes long strides and reaches our car just as we all get out.

  The handsome prince moves to embrace Dora, but Gwendolyn places her right hand out to shake his hand. It looks like she is going to accost the Prince and the guards take defensive stances. Prince Rupert waives them off with an easy laugh. "My guests are unused to our customs. "

  Gwendolyn recovers and drops into a deep curtsey. "We are most grateful for your invitation to visit, Prince Rupert. I am Dora's mother, Gwendolyn West. I must introduce you to Dora's twin, Victoria but we all call her Tori. We are so thrilled to visit your fabulous palace."

  Tori and Dora rush upon the Prince and he kisses Dora and then Tori on both cheeks. Mother offers him her cheek as well and after the greeting she waves at me and gestures that I handle the luggage. Char stands quietly with her mouth slightly open.

  The driver empties the trunk and our bags at the base of the steps. I fumble in my purse for his tip and he drives away. I am about to pick up the first bag when a white gloved hand intervenes. "Let us take them to the Dowager's wing for you, ma'am."

  "What do you think you are you doing, Cyndi? Let the butler take the bags." The harshness of Gwendolyn's voice makes me jump back.

  "I haven't had the pleasure of being introduced. Are these two your other daughters?" says the Prince.

  "Cyndi is my step-daughter," says Gwendolyn with a high pitched musical laugh. "She likes to feel useful and this little one is Charlotte. Don't worry at the presence of a child, you won't even notice she is here."

  I roll my eyes and follow them inside. Alright, I know my step mother is crass and a pain, and that Tori will do anything she asks without protest. At the moment I am more amazed that Dora has caught the eye of Prince Rupert. I can't believe we are all going to stay in an honest to goodness palace.

&
nbsp; Prince Rupert leads us into the palace, along a wainscoted mahogony corridor littered with family portraits lining the walls. Sunlight pours in through the high windows and the light slants across the black and white marble checkerboard floor.

  I nearly laugh when I overhear Gwendolyn telling the Prince in a very confidential tone that his palace might be the finest she has ever seen. The Prince isn't listening. He is walking hand and hand with Dora whose head is bobbling with wonder and seems to be attached on a string. Tori is smiling and cooing but she can't seem to get the Prince to notice she exists.

  Tori finally leans over to Dora and speaks loudly into her ear. "Can you believe this? I mean look over there -- they have one of those fancy curving staircases and everything!"

  They giggle together, pointing here and there. Gwendolyn tells the girls to hush and smiles brightly at the Prince. "I hope you will forgive us for being in awe of your palace."

  "It's just a place where I grew up. It really belongs to my brother, King Petros. I heard he returned last night. I am eager for him to meet all of you."

  Tori practically swoons and Gwendolyn gives her a nudge and raises her eyebrows knowingly. I know that look. Mother already has plans for Tori to steal the heart of the King. Really, the man could think for himself but he hasn't met Gwendolyn yet. I am happy just to be here to make sure my little sister, Char, is given all the love and attention she deserves.

  3

  Cyndi

  Once inside I take a little time to explore the big empty palace on my own. I hear a bang and spin on my foot to see what's up.

  Dashing out of the room I nearly crash into one of the most handsome faces I've ever seen in my entire life. Actually, I crash with his chest as he's easily a head taller than me.

  I look up. His dark brows are drawn tightly together Steely gray eyes flashing at me. He's wearing the kind of tailored suit that tells me money is no object for him. The cut fits his athletic body in all the right places. For a moment he looks completely surprised to see me here. Then his face drops into the smooth mask I recognize from the coins of the realm. His chiseled jaw is clenched tight. "Who might you be?"