"Two weeks later, the man returned to the cottage, with the young lady seatedbehind him in the horse. Her hands had been tied in front of her with hem...rope and her lovely cheeks were bee-stung red, and her eyes bruised from crying.The man allowed her father to help her off the horse, and the way she fellinto his arms, proved her utter exhaustion. "This was the first 'trade' the prince was to make with a villager. The townspeoplelater found out that the prince threatened to levy a "virgin tax". We have to make sure we all stay together when we get there. I hope we can keep it a secret from everyone except all of us here in this room.All vowed secrecy in this matter. It was going to be a joke on the adults and they were thrilled by the prospect. The huddle brokeup and Carol sat back and shook the boy awake."Wake up, honey," she kissed his cheek. Almost immediately Ian's eyes popped open. He looked about and saw all the girls smiling at him. He watched Patricia pull a floral print. " And let Pietro assume control?" she asked. "That is ridiculous." Pietro will be dead," Jorgarn said without emotion. "Sir Torbert is working with the King, Queen and Princess to develop a plan. I spent the trip across working on my own. I think they will agree to it or at least incorporate it into theirs. Pietro will die for his actions. I should have killed him before I left but I worried that I would be forced to assume his position if I did. It was selfish and I put you in danger. I doubt. I was shocked. “but why? What’s wrong?” Julie just shook her head and said, “l saw you two guys. You treated her with a completely different personality . Either you have two sides, or you made love to me as you did just to please me.” I was shocked beyond belief that this girl that gave herself to me moments ago was now refusing me. “Julie, that was just my hormones acting! Don’t be so shallow about it! You know I’m the caring person you’ve always trusted!” I couldn’t believe this girl was.