The Prince
by Tiffany Reisz
Published by Mira Books
Book 3 in the Original Sinners Series: The Red Years
Two worlds of wealth and passion call to Nora Sutherlin and, whichever one she chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make.
Unless someone makes it for her…
Wes Railey is the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and, reuniting with him in Kentucky, she's in his world now. But this infamous New York dominatrix is no simpering Southern belle, and Nora's dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with the relentlessly seductive pull of Søren—her owner, her lover, the forever she cannot have. At least, not completely.
Meanwhile Nora's associate Kingsley Edge is only too happy to take her place at Søren's feet during her hiatus. Søren is the only man Kingsley has ever loved, and their dark, shared history has forged a bond that neither the years—nor Søren's love for Nora—can break. But a new threat from an old adversary is forcing Kingsley to confront the past, reminding him that he must keep his friends close, and his enemies closer.
Genre
Triggers
Descriptive sex with BDSM, kidnapping
The Prince by Tiffany Reisz is the third book in the Original Sinner's series, and actually has three different stories, and three different narrators. We get a look into Kingsley's and Søren's past, and the dark details of their bond to one another; A look into the present from Kingsley's eyes, as Søren and himself try to find out who is threatening them; and also in present time, Nora and Wes's time together in the South, from both Wes's and Nora's views.
Already, this book, along with the entire series (although I'm not even halfway through it at this point) gets points for it's original story and characters. I'm still surprised I am reading erotica, as while there is for sure from erotic stuff going on in these pages, the writing and story is so damn good, that for once, I don't feel like I am reading erotica for the simple pleasure of doing so. I find myself picking up these books because of the story and the characters themselves, and not solely for the sexy parts. I said it before, and I will say it again, but this series is a breath of fresh air to a genre that is typically full of sub-par writing and originality. I loved that we get three different perspectives throughout this book, that eventually interweave into one story. I think its safe to say, that this book isn't just erotica. Not just romance (although Wesley and Nora's relationship definitely teeters on the edge of erotica and romance), but it also a mystery/thriller, which is a big change of pace from the last two books.
We finally get to know a lot more about some of our secretive characters. In large part, Kingsley. He is an interesting character. I don't want to give anything away, but I feel by the end of the book, I was left with more questions. Specifically ... how long did he know? In the last book, we learn a lot about Søren's past, but in this one, we learn specifically about his sadism. While we learn in the last book that Søren's first dom/sub relationship is in fact, Kingsley, when they were in school together, the details of that relationship are truly both dark and fascinating. I think its a true testimate to Tiffany Reisz's skills as a writer that she can warm me to a man as sadistic as Søren, and equally be disturbed with him. In large part, this story is about them, but eventually, it does lead us to Nora. Who is with Wesley.
I have been a big fan of Wesley's character. I am pretty open minded, but I personally don't feel the need or want of BDSM, so I tend to relate to him the most in this series. He is a true romantic. I love that Tiffany Reisz doesn't make this relationship easy for them, despite at times, how frustrating it was for me. I think my love for Wesley's character, and his love for Nora, is the only reason I root for them. He is good for her. It's obvious her "training" by Søren, and her life in the underground world of BDSM has really broken her. Her time with Wes I think is showing her love is supposed to be. And I know some will argue, who says love has to be any way? In which, I agree. I do think Søren loves Nora in the only way he can. In this case though, I think Nora's shock over not being ordering away from Wes, in return for asking for a favor from Wes's father, show's just how skewed the concept of love is for her. It's sad when you think about it. I loved Wes's and Nora's time together, but I have a feeling its not going to end happily for them. Kingsley and Søren's story heavily hints that Nora is too wild to settle down with one person, and in this case, as much as it pains the romantic part of me, I agree. Nora needs Søren's dark and twisty love, just as much as she needs Wesley's romantic, and gentler love.
The ending of this book, of course, ends of a cliffhanger. A rather intense one that the book built up to from start to finish. So excuse me while I go start The Mistress. :)
Wesley: "It's fine. Seriously, Nor. My parents are nice people. They like all my friends."
Nora: "Friends. Good. Let's go with friends for introductions. Let's practice. You'll say, 'Ma, Paw -"
Wesley: "You're getting my family confused with the Waltons again."
Nora: "Hush, John-Boy, we're practicing. You say to them, 'Mother, Father - this is my friend Nora. I used to work for her back at Yorke. She's come to visit and not cause any trouble."
Wesley: "Not going to be able to say that with a straight face."
Past
Kingsley: "You're learning Portuguese, too? How many languages do you speak?"
Søren: "Eight."
Kingsley: "I'm bilingual. What do they call someone like you?"
Søren: "Intelligent."
Mr. Railey: "That woman is not allowed to cross the threshold of my home, J.W. And quite frankly, I'm shocked that you'd even suggest it."
Wesley: "That woman? That woman is my best friend, Dad. She's also a four-time New York Times bestselling author."
Nora: "Five, actually."
She winked at him.
Wesley: "Sorry, Nor. Forgot about the new book. Multi-New York Times bestselling writer. She's also -"
Mr. Railey: "A whore."
Nora: "Ohh ... he totally went there. I can respect that."
Nora: "Can I take a moment here to tell you both how cute your accents are when you're angry?"
Wesley and his father both looked at her, Wesley in shock, his father in disgust.
Nora: "Okay, that's a 'no' then. Carry on."
Mr. Railey: "You used him, chewed him up and spit him out."
Nora: "You say you know me, Mr. Railey, but obviously, you don't. If you did, you'd know I don't spit out."
For a single second Wesley felt a pang of sympathy for Søren. Nora was lawless, unmanageable, uncontrollable. You told her one thing, she did everything but that. She laughed when others cried. Danced when others sat. She clawed her way to the top and didn't even chip a nail on the way up. No one could break her. No one could handle her. No one could shut her up. God, he had missed this woman.
Wesley: "Think you can behave yourself for one week?"
Nora: "Probably not. But I'll try. For your sake."
Søren: "Im fine, Kingsley."
Kingsley: "Your mother was raped in that house. Raped by your father."
Søren: "This is not news to me. That is, in fact, the reason I exist."
Kingsley: "You were raped in that house. By Elizabeth, with whom we are bout to have a polite chat."
Søren: "Kingsley, I said I was fine."
Kingsley: "I know you're fine. I know you aren't simply saying you're fine. And that's why you alone of all the men and monsters in this world terrify me."
Søren: "I pray for you, Kingsley."
Kingsley: "Pray harder."
Nora: "You've got to be kidding, Wes. I weight a lot more thn I look."
Wesley: "Yeah, you do. What's up with that?"
Nora: "Muscle. Pure muscle. And a pretty big ass."
Wesley: "Perfect ass."
Nora: "You're really going to carry me up the stairs? That's so Gone With The Wind."
Wesley: "Never saw it."
Nora: "It's a classic. Civil War stuff. Big dresses. Overacting. Hot non-consensual sex."
Wesley: "It's also four hours long. I got stuff to do."
Past:
Kingsley: "I lied. I do hate you."
Søren: "Why?"
Kingsley: "You ... I think about you too much."
Søren: "That is a problem."
Past:
Kingsley: "What are you praying for, mon ami?"
Søren: "What I've been praying for every day since I met you."
Kingsley: "And what is that?"
Søren: "Strength."
Søren: "Father Henry put most of the money into a trust to take care of the boys who were wards of the state. There have been improvements to the facilities - subtle ones. But Father Henry never wanted the school to look ostentatious. Conspicuous displays of wealth offended him,"
Kingsley: "Interesting opinion for a Catholic."
Søren: "We're not having the Saint Peter's Basilica argument again."
Kingsley: "I'm getting you a pair of red leather shoes for Christmas. Why should the Pope have all the fun?"
Søren: "I miss beating you sometimes, Kingsley. I truly do."
Kingsley: "When did you know you wanted me? I wanted you before I even saw you. When I heard the first notes of Ravel coming from the chapel."
Søren: "Father Henry told me a French student would be coming to Saint Ignatius. I'd never played Ravel before. I thought I should play something French so you wouldn't feel so home-sick."
Kingsley: "I loved you because of the Ravel. Had you played any other piece I would have thought you merely handsome and fascinating."
Søren: "Then I'm glad I played it."
Søren: "I can't say when the moment came that I wanted you. Perhaps before we even met. Why else would I have chosen the Ravel? I always thought God brought Eleanor and me together."
Kingsley: "Then who is to blame for us? The devil?"
Søren: "I hope not. I have no intention of meeting him. Even to thank him."
Wesley: "I won't let her go back to you. Fair warning."
Søren: "Won't let her? Why, Wesley, you're starting to sound like one of us."
Nora: "My boyfriend. Emphasis on the 'boy.' I'm having a Mrs. Robinson moment."
Wesley: "I'm not complaining."
Talel: "Nor should you, young man. You are blessed indeed to have such a great woman in your life. We are mere princes, you and I. But she is a queen."
Nora: "I can't argue with that."
Wesley: "What are all those for?"
Nora: "One for Griffin."
Wesley: "Of course."
Nora: "One for Michael."
Wesley: "Who's Michael?"
Nora: "His sub."
Wesley: "Why do I ask these questions?"
Nora: "One f or Juliette."
Wesley: "Who?"
Nora: "Kingsley's secretary. Well, she's also his sexual property. He's white and French. She's black and Haitian."
Wesley: "That should be illegal."
Nora: "They're so cute together."
Wesley: "Your friends terrify me."
Nora: "They're harmless. Well, as long as you don't piss them off. This one's for Talel. He should have a memento of his big win today."
Wesley: "He'll have about a hundred thousand dollars in purse money and a wreath of roses and a trophy. Isn't that enough of a souvenir?"
Nora: "Who would say no to a T-shirt?"
Past:
Søren: "Sometimes I think I am him. I've read Machiavelli, too. The Prince. It is better to be feared than loved. And it's safer to be feared than loved. At least where I'm concerned."
Kingsley: "You enlisted in God's army, as well. How could you? I take it very personally."
Christian: "You can tell me anything. It would be an honor to hear your confession."
Kingsley: "Only don't absolve me, s'il vous plait. I would miss my sins and they would miss me."
Christian: "She loved him and we hated him."
Kingsley: "Because you didn't know him. I loved him. Anyone who knows him at all loves him. And if they don't love him, then they do not know him."
Christian: "You still love him, my friend."
Kingsley: "It's the one sin I'll let you absolve me of."
Christian: "Love isn't a sin. It's the one thing you've told me I don't want to absolve you of."
Wesley: "Nora ... I should hate you. You know that, right?"
Nora: "Yes. I know."
Nora: "I was ready to do it, to go back to Søren. I was going to call him ... that day. I'd go to your school, and check out this stupid class, raise some hell in the hopes that they'd show me the door, and then I was going to call him and ask if I could meet him at the rectory. And once there, I'd give him my collar, get down on my knees and beg him to take me back. That was the plan. And it would have happened. No doubt in my mind. Except for one thing."
Wesley: "What?"
Nora: "I saw you. I saw you, my Wesley. And I just ... forgot. I forgot I was going to go back to him. Totally slipped my mind. And for the rest of that day, after that first class, you were all I could think of. Those big brown eyes of yours and that smile and the way you looked at me like ... like -"
Wesley: "Like I'd never seen anything like you before and didn't think I ever would again, so I better not take my eyes off you for one second."
Wesley: "Nora?"
Nora: "What is it, Wes?"
Wesley: "I should hate you ... but I don't."
Kingsley: "I saved your soul by shedding my blood for you. How Christian of me."
Kingsley: "I still love you as I did that night you broke me. You can break me again."
Søren: "I can't break you. I never could. Your body, yes. But there is a core inside you that I could never touch, never reach, never break. It's the part of you that was never afraid of me."
Kingsley: "Is that why you loved her and not me?"
Søren: "She has that core, too. And it's why of all the people in the world, it's only you and her I've ever loved."
Søren: "You're trying to pick a fight with me. It won't work."
Kingsley: "It already has. You've already threatened to cause me bodily harm. I'm already hard. I think it's safe to call this one of our typical arguments."
Søren: "I'm leaving now."
Kingsley: "Good night, sir."
Søren: "I'm currently imagining a few creative ways of causing you extraordinary amounts of pain."
Kingsley: "Stop flirting. You know we don't have time for that."
Søren: "I wasn't flirting. The pain I'd inflict on you right now ... only one of us would enjoy it."
Kingsley: "Only one of us ever did."
Søren: "Don't make me laugh. You begged for it. Night after night, you begged for it."
Kingsley: "Of course I did. Pain is the only way you know how to show love."
Søren: "It's not the only way I know how to show love. It's the only way I chose to with you."
Wesley: "What? You're telling me romance novels and erotica novels aren't one hundred percent realistic with the sex scenes? I'm shocked.
Nora: "Wesley ..."
Wesley: "I'm here."
Nora: "You're killing me."
Wesley: "Wait ... what? I'm killing you?"
Nora: "There's foreplay and there's torture. Torture's what you-know-who does."
Wesley: "I thought ... I thought you liked it."
Nora: "I fucking love it. And if you don't get inside me in the next five seconds, I'll love it so much I'll die."
Past:
Kingsley: "So sorry. I'm in shock. Haven't recovered yet, mon ami."
Søren: "Our Lord was a carpenter or possibly a stonemason. The apostle Paul was a tentmaker. They worked with their hands - grueling, backbreaking work. If it wasn't beneath them to get their hands dirty, it should not be beneath me."
Kingsley: "I want to be beneath you."
Søren: "You are beneath me, Kingsley, in every way but literally. And if you want to be beneath me - literally - before morning, I would suggest helping me."
Past
Kingsley: "Just the ghost of a priest. Nothing to be afraid of."
Søren: "The story claims that Father Leopold's ghost takes sexual liberties with anyone who comes within his reach. In death he feasts on what he denied himself in life. Do you believe that?"
Kingsley: "No ... but I very much want to."
Past
Kingsley: "Catch the spiders and release them outside? Did I ever tell you I passed blood for three days after our first night together? Pardonez moi for saying your Catholic respect for the sanctity of life would be more convincing were you not a sadist."
Past
Kingsley: "She's emotional. Not weak. She's very strong, really. Strong passions. Everyone she loves she loves as if she'll die without them. It's not ... it's not good to care that much about people."
Søren: "And why not?"
Kingsley: "Because they die. Or will die ... someday. Even you. We're doomed from birth. Might as well just have all the fun we want, oui? Doesn't matter, anyway."
Søren: "You Satanic Huguenot. I can't believe I'm sullying myself with a Calvinist."
Kingsley: "Neither can I. What were you thinking?"
Søren: "Clearly I wasn't. Clearly I'm not."
Past
Kingsley: "Please ... S'il vous plait. I want you ..."
He fell into French and out again as they kissed. He hungered for Søren's body and the moment of union they always shared after the beating ended. Søren pulled away and gazed down at him. He touched Kingsley's lips.
Søren: "I can't."
Kingsley: "You meant it. You can't ..."
Søren: "No. Something broke in me a long time ago. I won't ever heal. Can you forgive me?"
Kingsley: "Non. I mean, no, you aren't broken. You're different. I must be different, too, that I don't mind, that I like the pain."
Søren: "You are different."
Wesley: "Nora, have you never cuddled before?"
Nora: "Not like this. Here. You lay on your back. I'll lay on you."
Wesley: "Fine. Fine ..."
Wesley rolled onto his back and Nora collapsed onto his chest. He let out a puff of air as she scrambled into position.
Wesley: "Are you made of lead?"
Nora: "I'm solid muscle and evil. Stop bitching and cuddle me."
Laughing he wrapped his arms around her.
Nora: "Yes, ma'am."
Wesley: "Let's go. Clothes on."
Nora: "Both of those are horrible ideas."
Nora: "This is your world, kid. Not mine. You know I don't belong here."
Wesley: "You told me once you loved it down south."
Nora: "I was talking about anal sex."
Wesley: "Of course you were."
Talel: "It's always a good day when the Prince of Kentucky nd the Queen of the Underground come calling."
Nora: "Ex-Queen of the Underground. I've retired."
Talel: "I heard the rumors. I didn't believe them, then. I don't believe them now. Let me take you to the stab;es and hand you a riding crop. We'll see how long it takes before you start swatting someone with it."
Nora: "I do miss all my riding crops. I kept the red one, of course."
Talel: "You'd be Arthur without Excalibur had you given it up."
Past
Kingsley: "You hate me."
Søren: "I don't care bout you enough to hate you. You're nothing to me."
Kingsley: "Is that why you're trying to kill me?"
Søren: "I would never kill you. It would be a waste of my valuable time, killing you."
Kingsley: "You would have to find someone else to torture like this if you killed me."
Søren: "Exactly ... a waste ... of ... my time."
Kingsley: "I'll die anyway if you don't let me come."
Søren: "Your penchant for exaggeration is embarrassing. You shouold be ashamed of yourself."
Kingsley: "I am. Or would be if I had ny shame ... which I do not."
Kingsley: "Give me relief and you will own me for eternity. My body, my heart, my soul ... take it all if you'll only let me ..."
Søren: "I already own you. All of you, for what it's worth, which isn't much. I own your body. I own your heart. As your French and not a Catholic, I'm not even sure you have a soul ..."
Kingsley: "I do have one. I keep it in my cock. Feel free to suck it out."
Nora: "Goddammit, Wes Railey, will you sop being sweet to me for just one second?"
Wesley: "Nope."
Nora: "You know, you've got options. IUD ... the pill ... do they make NuvaRing for horses? Or would that be hula-hoop size? Maybe just abstinence. It's the only one hundred percent way.
Nora: "That wasn't so bad, was it?"
Wesley: "A little gross but not terrible."
Nora: "Gross? Don't listen to him, gorgeous. You have a lovely vagina, and I'm sure if you do your kegals, you'll get your post-baby muscle tone back."
Mr. Railey: "I don't fin you particularly amusing, young lady."
Nora: "I don't care if you love me or hate me. You called me 'young lady' and that makes you my new favorite person."
He'd seen Nora with children on a few occasions. She was so good with them, teasing them and talking to them like adults, giving them her full attention as if no one else in the world existed but them. She was just as good with Bastinado. Something in Wesley ached at the soft, motherly tone of her voice, the radiant smile on her face. He couldn't help but let his mind wander into dangerous territory. Nora would look so beautiful pregnant. She'd bitch and moan the entire time about her swollen ankles and sore breasts, and yet he knew no woman in the world would make a better mother. How endlessly patient she'd been with him as a teacher, how loving and protective she'd been as a roommate. How she managed to find him in the hospital after his diabetic ketoacidosis scare still baffled him. With a child of her own, of their own, he knew she'd be ten times as diligent, as protective, as concerned. And God, to see her hold a baby in her arms? He'd sell the whole Railey empire on eBay if he had to for that. He might even sell his soul.
Nora: "Now what's your problem, kid?"
Wesley: "You. You're my problem. I'm crazy about you and you're going to leave me. Aren't you?"
Nora: "I thought Wes was the brainiac in the family."
Mrs. Railey: "He also gets that from me."
Nora: "You have good genes. I'll let you get back to your thank-you note slash prison sentence. I'll get back to ..."
Mrs. Railey: "My son?"
Nora: "That guy. He's horny as hell in the mornings. He'll notice if I'm not there."
Mrs. Railey: "He gets that from his father."
A diamond glimmered in Wesley's outstretched hand. Nora's eyes widened at the sight of it.
Nora: "Wesley?"
Wesley: "Everything you see down there is mine. Or will be. I hate being called the Prince of Kentucky, but only because it's kind of true. I have a kingdom and that's it. And there's nothing in the world more beautiful ... except you."
Nora: "Wes ... you ..."
Wesley: "Stay with me, Nora. Stay here. Forever. Everything you see ... I can give it to you. And you can love it and keep it, or hate it and burn it to the ground. I don't care, as long as you're here with me and you never go back to him. I know he can give you things I can't - loneliness and pain and shame and humiliation. But I can give you a few things he can't. Marriage. Kids if you want them. No kids if you don't. A life together out here in the sun, where everyone can see us. You'd never have to hide if you were with me, or pretend. You'd have the whole world. You'd never have to work again. You wouldn't have to even write another book if you didn't want to. Or you can write until your hands fall off, and I'd hire the best doctor in the world to sew them back on. You can name all our horses, like you name your characters. You can drive my parents crazy by making riding crop and pony jokes every single day of your life. You can ... You can be safe and no one will ever hurt you gain. I won't hurt you and I won't ever let anyone else do so. Not now. Not ever. Not even if you go crazy and decide you want them to. I'll make you happy. I'll keep you safe. Just please say yes or no before these damn horses bolt and kill us both."
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