The Secret King

A princess in peril must choose between duty and desire in this electrifying romance

No one believes Princess Serena has the strength to rule Acacia...least of all Serena. But the assassins that placed her in line for the throne have turned their sights on her. And the mysterious Casimir Cullen—who’s already saved her life once—is the only man she trusts. Serena is drawn to Casimir with overwhelming ferocity. But affairs of state require that she marry King Warrington of Rizari.

Casimir’s relationship with Serena was supposed to be a means toward revenge against Warrington. Falling in love was never part of the plan. Now, protecting Serena and bolstering her self-confidence has become his priority. But what will happen when she learns his secret destiny?

“I think the Princess of Acacia is playing a dangerous game.”

“I don’t play games,” Serena replied.

“Asking me to meet you here?” Casimir said. “If I weren’t more trusting of you, I would think this was a trap.”

“How could this possibly be a trap?”

“I think you know how the king and his mother would respond to finding us alone in the palace. It would call your pending engagement into question.”

“We haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Katarina seems to believe my very presence is wrong,” Casimir said.

“She knows her son and I don’t have a relationship. Any male is a threat to the little that we do have.”

Casimir’s eyes traced from her eyes to her lips. “Do you want to make me a real threat to him?”

He was asking if she wanted him to kiss her. She wanted it. Desperately.

* * *

Be sure to check out the next books

in this miniseries. Conspiracy Against the Crown: Ally or foe? No one can tell in this fight for power...and love.

Dear Reader,

I love royalty romances. Protecting His Princess (November 2013) was the first royalty-themed romantic suspense I wrote for Mills & Boon and Under the Sheik’s Protection (August 2014) was the second. Both took place in the Middle East.

For this book, I changed the location to the Mediterranean. I was inspirited by the beautiful landmarks, the beach havens, the rich culture and the picturesque settings.

Princess Serena Alagona never expected to be queen, and when she is thrust into the position on the heels of a family tragedy, she’s unprepared. Casimir Cullen didn’t plan to become involved with the princess. He only cares about revenge. When their paths cross, sparks fly.

I hope you enjoy The Secret King. I love hearing from readers and may be contacted through my website, cj-miller.com.

C.J. Miller

The Secret

King

C.J. Miller

www.millsandboon.co.uk

C.J. MILLER loves to hear from her readers and can be contacted through her website, cj-miller.com. She lives in Maryland with her husband, son and daughter. C.J. believes in first loves, second chances and happily-ever-after.

To my brother, Dr. Andy. Your sense of humor cheers me on my darkest days, your love of adventure inspires me and your unending support means the world. Love you, buddy.

Contents

Cover

Back Cover Text

Introduction

Dear Reader

Title Page

About the Author

Dedication

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Extract

Copyright

Chapter 1

Casimir felt the pulse of power in the ballroom of the Acacian castle. Three influential leaders, each with their axes to grind, were setting problems aside tonight in a public display of unity that hadn’t been witnessed in the past twenty years. The king of Acacia was turning sixty and the night was meant for frivolity.

Too bad one of the kings would die tonight by Casimir’s hand. He hated to ruin the party for the king of Acacia, but attacking the king of Rizari away from his palace made the logistics much simpler.

With the president of Icarus’s help, Casimir had smuggled his weapons into the room. He was ready. He had mentally run the plan dozens of times. He had trained. He would do what needed to be done, shed his fake identity for good and he would disappear, taking asylum in Icarus.

Casimir was careful not to touch the gun at his side, a habit he’d formed in the military to ensure it was in place. The knife in its sheath at his hip brushed against his pants. He did nothing to call attention to himself. In addition to the three leaders, the room was filled with security—each of the king’s guards and the president’s servicemen, all armed to the teeth.

Danae, the eldest princess of Acacia had her guards close as well. She was the heir to the throne, and watching her, Casimir understood why she was being courted by the king of Rizari. Princess Danae looked like a woman who liked to have fun, but who couldn’t organize her closet, much less a country. Her brunette curls bounced as she laughed and threw her head back in delight.

The younger princess of Acacia, Serena, was standing alone on the perimeter of the party. Unlike her sister’s vibrant, fanciful energy, Serena had a quiet, serious beauty about her. Her blond hair hung around her shoulders and she looked almost ethereal in a light blue gown. She sipped her glass of wine and watched the party with little change in her expression. No one spoke to her. She had to be bored. Casimir had been studying King Warrington’s social circles, and he found her behavior curious, very different from what he had experienced in Rizari. To blend in to the royal social circle, extraversion was critical.