Page 16 of Heartbreak Prince

“In that case, you’ll need to have a stronger hook.” Bridah takes another look at Vawn, scanning him up and down. “Our visitors want to watch their fantasies unfold before them. They want pleasure, and if they don’t come, they won’t come again, see? If you prefer not to show the goods and do the act, you’ll have to give them something else. Two things make these men cream their trousers—naked women and violence. You got the stomach to play that way, boy? Pretend to force her so these perverts leave happy?”

The prince pitches his voice deeper than usual, a growl behind the mask. “I’ll do what I must.”

“See that you put your heart into it, eh? I’ll let the folks in the waiting area know that we’ve got a double non-con showcase coming up. No puss and dick, just titties. Keep it hot and make ’em spew, girlie. I want those tips.”

“Yes, Bridah.”

“Good girl. Go on down to seven. There’s costumes, props, whatever you need. You’re on in twenty minutes. Use the time to plan your skit.”

She sails away, and I head toward room seven.

“Skit?” whispers Vawn.

“She likes everyone to have a story, a theme, something to guide their performance. We don’t have to talk. It’s more about props, body language, and the progression of the activities.” I walk faster, trying to force back the heat blooming in my face. “When I do peep shows, I’m fully nude and masked, in a box not much bigger than my own body. People in the viewing room can see me through a patterned screen or a wooden lattice. Sometimes, if I need extra money, I’ll get into one of the touch boxes. Those have circular cutouts, and the viewers are allowed to touch me a few times during the performance. I entertain a single person, a couple, or a whole group.”

“A couple?”

“A lot of married couples come here to spice up their love life. They pay by the half hour to watch other people get naked.” I push open the door to room seven. The familiar scent hits me—cloying perfume, acrid sweat, and the heavy musk of arousal. I hesitate, my arm braced across the doorway, barring Vawn’s passage into the room. “You don’t have to do this.”

“We need the money.” He lifts his mask slightly. “And I get to see your tits. The choice is obvious.”

My cheeks burn. “Get inside.”

He saunters past me, surveying the rows of masks, feathered accessories, scarves, fans, and other props. “Flashy.” He touches a pair of gold-studded men’s underwear. “I like it.”

“I wouldn’t try that on. It looks crusty.”

Vawn snatches his hand back. “Do they clean these things?”

“If anything touches the performers’ privates, they clean it after the session. But that one seems to have been overlooked.” I point to the stain I spotted. “We should decide what our skit will be.”

“It’s just role-play. Don’t overthink it.” He takes off the pink mask and lays it aside. “Surely you’ve role-played with sexual partners before.”

I focus on removing my knife belt and unbuckling my pauldron.

“You’re not a virgin.” He says it like a question, like he’s uncertain.

“Of course not. I had trysts with other students at the Academy. Technically they weren’t allowed, so we had to be quick.”

“That’s tragic.” He sounds so sincere that I throw a glance his way. He looks truly perturbed by the idea that my only experiences have been quick fucks.

“Tragic?” I snort. “It was efficient.”

“A beautiful woman deserves more time and attention.”

“Like you gave to that girl at the Lyre & Vice?”

“That was a quick one, yes. But she and I have had much longer adventures together.”

Heat builds in my head, and a surge of bitter fire clogs my throat. “She’s special to you.”

He shrugs. “She’s sweet. Great body. We have fun.”

His noncommittal attitude soothes the heat in my soul. I unlace the side ties of my leather corset, which also serves as light armor when I’m on duty. “Get undressed.”

Vawn undoes the remaining buttons of his shirt, the ones Bridah didn’t already release. “I have an idea for our skit. You’re the princess and I’m your knight.” From the row of masks, he selects a helmet of cheap, thin metal, painted gold. He tosses it lightly in one hand. “I’ve been guarding you for a long time, watching you flirt with every foreign prince who comes to visit, and I’ve finally lost my mind to desire. I’m wild with lust, and I’m taking what I want.”

I swallow nervously, confused by the thrill that runs through my belly at his words. “Princess and guard? A little on the nose, don’t you think?”