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Lords
of the Var
THE
PIRATE PRINCE
By
Michelle M Pillow
“A
woman has the
potential to be the
ruination of men and
kingdoms.
Only
question is, my son,
will you let one
ruin you?”
-King
Attor of the Var
Chapter One
Imperial Palace of
the Zhang Dynasty,
Honorable City,
Muntong Territory,
Planet of Líntian
“You are with
child.” The words
were soft, carried
as if on a gentle
breeze.
Princess Zhang Mei
blinked in shock,
pausing in
mid-action. She was
in the process of
setting down a jug
of wine on the
Sacred Chamber’s
altar as an offering
to her deceased
ancestor. Out of all
the things her dead
great-grandmother
could’ve told her,
that was the least
expected. Her
great-grandmother
made a small noise
when she didn’t move
to finish her task.
Slowly Mei set the
offering on the low
round table and
stepped back. For a
long moment, she
stared at the jug
inlaid with gold
thread in the blue
glass. It was a
pretty piece, one
her
great-grandmother
would enjoy in her
afterlife--but not
so much as the wine
it contained.
Mei wasn’t
frightened to see
her
great-grandmother’s
spirit. The
ancestors were known
to show themselves
to those they wished
to guide and, since
her death, Zhang An
had been residing in
the sacred room
hidden within the
walls of the Hall of
Infinite Wisdom
located in their
home, the Imperial
Palace. The palace
was protected by
great surrounding
walls. The complex
behind the walls was
referred to as
Honorable City
because the palace
was in fact like a
small city for the
royal family. The
family never needed
to leave the palace
and rarely did so.
The palace walls
were surrounded on
the outside by a
thick moat with only
two known
entrances--one in
the front and one in
the back of the
large rectangular
complex. The Hall of
Infinite Wisdom was
only one of many
buildings within the
complex, located in
the center. However,
it was the largest
structure, set high
upon stone to tower
over the surrounding
courtyard and
gardens.
Mei wished they left
the city more often.
Some of her best
memories were from
when she got to
travel with her
sister, Fen. They’d
often go to Lady
Hsin’s to see how
the silk worms
produced the
luxurious silk for
their clothing or to
the countryside,
just to fly over in
the family’s tu di
hang, a land craft
that soared over the
lush scenery like
the ancient junk
boats of old used to
sail over the seas
of planet Earth.
But those times were
too far apart to
suit Mei. She’d been
born with the need
for adventure, a
need that burned
inside her until she
was forced to
swallow down her
abhorrence of the
palace walls.
Burying her
wanderlust, she knew
that first and
foremost, she was a
Zhang princess and
so would honor her
family and do her
duty by her people,
no matter the
personal cost.
Besides, the
confinement only
made the trips she
took all the
sweeter--like the
foray across the
Satlyun River she
was going on with
her oldest brother,
Prince Haun.
Seeing her
great-grandmother’s
face, Mei whispered,
“What? What did you
say?”
“You are with
child,” her
great-grandmother
repeated, smiling.
Mei stiffened.
That’s what she
thought the woman
had said. Why was
the spirit smiling?
What did this mean?
A baby? Her? Now? It
didn’t sound right.
How could this…?
Dazed, Mei looked
around the room. The
Sacred Chamber was
ornate, yet barren
of all but a few
objects of great
importance. Gold
lined the walls in
intricate design.
The basin itself was
carved with the
revered phoenix of
her people. Aside
from the basin and
offering table,
there was the
collection of the
precious jade their
ancestors had
brought with them
from Earth during
the journey to
Líntin. Its green
color was sacred,
more so than the
purple jade mined
across the river by
Emperor Song’s
people. The
artifacts were kept
safe behind a plate
of glass, the most
precious being the
powerful Jade
Phoenix. The bronzed
bird was surrounded
by smaller pieces of
the precious green
stone. Its delicate
feathers were worked
in a way that they
should’ve been
impossible in
metalwork. Jewels
were inlaid into the
bronze, but none
were so stunning as
the large green
stone on the bird’s
chest. To even look
upon it was an
honor, reserved for
the royal family and
a few honored souls.
“No, no I can’t be,”
Mei insisted,
feeling her flat
stomach. “You are
certain?”
“Yes. Very certain,”
Zhang An answered.
The spirit was
dressed in the old
style. Her long
sleeves swept over
the floor as she
walked near her
granddaughter. The
delicate silk robe
made even more so by
the fact that it
traveled on air.
Every movement was
silent, like the
breeze. Her
wrinkled, pale face
was transparent,
shading with each
subtle movement,
threatening to blow
away completely.
Long, dark hair
streaked with white
flowed around her
shoulders. Tradition
from her time of
life would have had
her put it up, but
An was proud of her
locks and, being
dead, didn’t have to
be dictated by such
traditions. Besides,
what could be done
about it? She was
already dead. “I
consulted all the
powers--the oracle
bones, the divining
basin, even the
wind. Each say the
same thing.”
Pregnant? Me?
“But, how…?” Mei
could barely move.
Her
great-grandmother
laughed. “You should
speak to your mother
as to the how. I
only foresee the
future.”
Mei didn’t find the
woman very funny.
She knew how, just
not how.
How could this
happen? And with
whom?
“When?” Mei asked,
shaking. She
followed her
floating
great-grandmother
with her eyes,
afraid if she moved
her locked knees
she’d collapse in
shock.
“Within sixteen
moons, give or
take,” An answered,
smiling.
Sixteen moons? That
was only about eight
months!
“Whose is it?” Mei
pressed her hand
tighter to her flat
stomach and thought
of all the men of
the Muntong court.
None of them
appealed to her as a
husband figure, but
all of them would be
willing to marry a
Zhang princess. To
deny her hand would
be foolish indeed.
She had the power of
her family, money,
land, and status.
“I
see blood,” her
great-grandmother
answered ominously,
as if going into a
trance as the
visions overtook
her. Her dark brown
eyes glazed over
with white as she
moved to a basin
within the center of
the sacred chamber.
A cool breeze
stirred the room as
the woman asked the
wind for answers.
Her hair lifted all
around her in a wild
tangle of windswept
fury.
Mei knew her
great-grandmother
listened to the
elements, because
the wind also
whispered to her. It
was her gift, her
power, bestowed upon
her at birth by the
Jade Phoenix. Mei
could hear the
promptings of the
wind and, though her
own talent wasn’t as
developed to feel
more than instinct,
she knew that it
would whisper its
secrets into her
great-grandmother’s
ear. Often, she
thought that was why
she felt the need to
be free, to fly like
the wind, because
she had felt the
presence in her
since the cradle. As
a child, she’d dream
of flying, soaring
high into the starry
heavens. Mei wished
the wind would take
her now, right now,
lifting her up and
taking her past the
palace walls to deep
space where she
could float for an
eternity.
“Royal blood,” An
added in a monotone,
drawing her mind
back to Líntin. “The
baby will be of
royal blood.”
“But I am royal,
Grandmother,” Mei
said needlessly,
trying to figure out
the riddle seeing
the future put
before them.
Sometimes Mei wished
her family couldn’t
see the pieces.
Often it made more
confusion than it
clarified.
Mei’s stomach
tightened and she
was afraid she’d be
sick. Or was her
great-grandmother
implying Prince Song
Lok? He was the son
of the only other
Empire on Líntin,
the Song Dynasty
located across the
Satlyun River. The
river flowed through
the center of their
planet, separating
the territories of
Muntong and Singhai.
Lok was the only
male heir to the
throne, though he
had three
sisters--triplets.
Mei had never met
the Song daughters
and she’d met Prince
Lok only once, a
long time ago.
Not that there was
any reason she would
be introduced to the
triplets. The two
Empires never really
saw eye to eye.
Emperor Song ruled
the Singhai Empire
in the west and
Mei’s parents ruled
the Muntong Empire
to the east. In
between the two
territories was the
Satlyun River,
circling from north
to south in the
exact center of the
planet of Líntin.
The giant river was
a marvel of nature,
so wide it was
impossible to swim
across. It was one
of the main reasons
that the two Empires
did not fight.
Though they didn’t
agree on much, peace
was something the
Líntinese cherished.
Was her marriage to
Prince Lok going to
ensure continued
peace? Was that the
real reason she was
compelled to
accompany her oldest
brother, Haun, on
his trip across the
Satlyun? Was
marriage talk in the
works? What exactly
was her
great-grandmother
not saying? Or was
she saying it and
Mei just didn’t want
to hear the words?
“The blood I speak
of is not of the
Zhang line. It is
foreign.” An gave
her a pointed look.
Mei grimaced. Lok.
She had to mean Lok.
“Married?” another
voice intruded.
Instantly Mei
stiffened as she
turned at the sound
of her father, the
Emperor’s, voice. He
wore a yellow robe
decorated with red
dragons and symbols.
The red and yellow
were the colors of
royalty. It matched
the buildings--all
of which had yellow
tiled roofs and dark
red walls.
The Emperor stood in
the doorway, a look
of supreme happiness
on his face. If this
was true, Mei would
be the first of his
children to marry.
Her older sister,
Fen, and four
brothers, Haun, Jin,
Lian and Shen had
yet to take that
step. Mei was the
youngest and by all
rights she should be
the last expected to
marry. That was how
it was traditionally
done.
This isn’t fair.
“Yes,” her
great-grandmother
answered. “And with
child.”
“You’re sure?” the
Emperor asked, his
smile widening as he
looked down at his
daughter’s waist.
The news pleased him
greatly.
Mei touched her
stomach, gasping,
“No! We’re not sure.
Honored grandmother
was just going to
look again.”
“Yes,” her
great-grandmother
put forth. “We are
sure.”
“No,” Mei repeated.
“We. Are. Not.”
“This is a most
happy day!” Emperor
Zhang beamed. The
two elders ignored
her as they spoke to
each other.
“A
most happy day,” An
agreed. “My
granddaughter should
be told at once. She
will want to hear
this blessed news.”
“Yes, the Empress
will be most excited
to hear of Mei’s
wedding,” the
Emperor agreed. “And
most pleased by news
of a grandchild!”
At
his words, a
secretive look
passed over her
great-grandmother’s
face. Mei ignored
it, unable to
process anything
else at the moment.
I’m going to have a
child and get
married? What?
She wasn’t sure
which was worse
news--marriage or a
baby. The truth was,
Mei hadn’t really
considered either
prospect seriously.
Ever. To be married
would be to remain
tied to Líntin, even
more so than she was
now.
“No, it’s wrong!”
Mei protested. She
clutched her hand
against her stomach.
Her entire body
shook and she
couldn’t get past
the fact that she
was to have a baby.
She wasn’t ready for
that. The husband
she could deal with,
if she had to, but
the baby? Everything
was happening too
fast. “Do it again,
grandmother. Please.
Look again. I beg
you.”
An
sighed, but moved to
the basin to oblige.
Running her hand
over the cool water,
she rippled it with
her ghostly finger.
A soft glow covered
the woman’s
transparent features
as her ethereal
brown eyes again
turned a milky
white. “Positive. I
see you large with
child. A baby is to
be conceived of
royal blood. The
next prince who is
not of the Zhang
bloodline whose path
you cross will be
both father and
husband.”
“Lok,” the Emperor
whispered,
confirming her
fears. Her father’s
expression fell some
at the news of
Prince Lok, but when
he caught her
staring at him,
dumbfounded, he hid
the look and again
smiled. “Prince Lok
is a fine choice.
You are to travel to
the Mountain Palace
with your brother to
meet with the Song
family. It will be
the perfect time for
you to get to know
him.”
“But,” Mei swallowed
nervously, “I don’t
have to go. Am I
really needed there?
I just asked to go
because--”
“You were
compelled,” her
father said softly.
Mei bit her lip and
dutifully nodded,
even as she thought,
because I wanted to
get out of this
place for awhile.
“You cannot run from
fate,” An said. “In
the end, she will
find you.”
“But--” Mei tried to
protest. “Fate has
been changed in the
past. Father, you
said so yourself.
Fate has been
altered by those
brave enough to
fight her. Let me
stay here this
time.”
“Those are merely
stories, mèimei,”
her father said.
“Folktales. They are
used to teach
lessons, not to be
taken literally.
Besides, we already
told the Songs that
you would be joining
your brother. To
back out now would
be an insult.”
“But, Father, aren’t
all tales based in
truth? You once told
me that--”
“I
see no more and am
drained,” her
great-grandmother
interrupted. Mei
opened her mouth to
continue, but the
breeze suddenly
gusted around her
and swept the old
woman’s figure over
the offering of wine
before both she and
the drink vanished,
pitcher and all.
“Many
congratulations, my
daughter,” the
Emperor said,
lightly patting her
shoulder when they
were alone. “This is
a very fine match.”
Mei’s mouth opened,
hanging slack as she
tried to find the
right words of
protest. When her
great-grandmother
had summonsed her to
the Sacred Chamber,
this was the last
news she expected to
hear. In fact, she’d
hoped for quite the
opposite--adventure
and intrigue while
visiting the
Mountain Palace of
Singhai. Instead,
she got marriage and
children.
“We don’t know for
sure,” Mei
whispered.
“Great-grandmother
could’ve read the
future wrong. It’s
hard to interpret.”
“Fate is just that,
my daughter. Fate.”
The Emperor gave her
a smile of
understanding. “And
An has a great
blessing. She would
not speak if there
was a chance she was
wrong. You are to
marry Prince Lok.
Remember, these
things do not happen
without reason. Your
marriage must be of
great importance to
our people and to
theirs. It will seal
the bond between us,
a bond that could
use sealing. Trust
the fates to bless
you with years of
happiness and a
joyous future.”
Mei again opened her
mouth. Swaying on
her feet, a
sensation of numb
weakness came over
her. She felt her
father’s arms around
her as her body
crumbled into a
mindless heap,
sucked into the
blackness of denial.
* * *
*
Shan Gung Din
(Mountain Palace) of
the Song Dynasty,
Singhai Territory
Two weeks later…
Princess Zhang Mei
kept her expression
completely blank as
she looked across
the long table. It
wasn’t hard. She’d
been sitting on the
floor for what felt
like hours, when in
fact it had only
been about thirty
minutes. Cupping the
small bowl of tea
before her, she
lifted it to her
lips and sipped the
hot liquid. It was
spiced differently
than she was used
to, but was good
nonetheless. After
being in Shan Gung
Din, she found many
things were like
that--different, but
tolerable. It wasn’t
surprising, being as
both ways of life
were derived from
the same Earth
cultures long ago.
How long until
different becomes
intolerable? How
long until the
loneliness of being
in a place where
everyone thinks
they’re culturally
superior to me sets
in? How long until
I’m forced to marry
Prince Song Lok?
Mei glanced down at
her stomach, knowing
it wouldn’t be very
long at all if her
great-grandmother’s
prediction was true.
Sad thing was, her
great-grandmother
wasn’t known for
being wrong. When
she dreamt of
getting away from
the palace, this
wasn’t what she’d
had in mind.
Suddenly, the idea
of living anywhere
else scared her.
The table they sat
at was low to the
ground, perfect for
kneeling to dine.
Low cushions padded
her knees as she
rested back on her
legs. She was losing
feeling in them, but
they were at Emperor
Song’s palace of
Shan Gung Din as
guests and she
didn’t dare insult
him by wiggling in
her seat.
Mei refused to think
of her
great-grandmother’s
prediction. Fate may
be fate, but surely
seeing the future
was not an exact
art. It was possible
her
great-grandmother
misread. Not very
likely, but
possible.
Wasn’t it?
Blessed ancestors!
Please be wrong.
Mei gulped, glancing
again to Lok who was
across the table
next to his father,
Emperor Song. Every
part of her wanted
to put him off, to
demand he stay away
from her. Could she
really be expected
to have this man’s
child? To live in
this palace with his
snob of a father?
There was no doubt
in her mind that the
Emperor was a snob.
No, not just a snob.
He was an elitist
snob and his son was
little better from
what she could tell.
Though her father
would be
disappointed that
she didn’t want to
marry Prince Lok,
she knew he’d never
force her. Forced
and arranged
marriages were a
thing of the past,
though all marriages
had to be approved
by the royal
astrologers before a
proper union could
be made. Normally,
it was just for
ceremony, though
what was discovered
could give great
insight into the
couples’ future.
If
not for her family’s
desire to make a
favorable impression
on the neighboring
family, she’d have
walked out long ago.
Duty had been bred
into her very soul
and she knew, that
if fate truly had
picked Prince Lok,
then duty would
demand she honor
fate. However, if
Lok didn’t honor
fate, that wasn’t
her fault. Was it?
She didn’t have to
make him want her.
There was no reason
she’d have to go out
of her way to please
him.
Prince Lok was her
social equal, raised
much like she was.
He was skilled in
the ancient martial
arts. With their
background, she’d
have expected they
would have much in
common or at least
something to
discuss. However,
when she was left
alone with the
prince, all he did
was stare at
her--his expression
blank and his eyes
probing. It was
likely he didn’t
think the youngest
daughter of Emperor
Zhang was good
enough for him.
I
wonder if he’d
consider any woman
good enough for him.
Mei made a face into
her tea cup so they
couldn’t see.
Lok was the only
male heir to the
throne which would
make him naturally
picky. She would
expect the same from
Haun, though future
Emperor or not, Mei
would never think
anyone was good
enough for her
brother. She had yet
to be introduced to
Lok’s triplet
sisters. Since her
stay was about over,
she doubted she
would be introduced
to them at all. That
in itself was a
little rude of the
Song family.
Mei turned her
attention back to
the Song men before
her. Behind the two
royals, a long row
of pu ren waited to
tend the table. The
pu ren were
handmaidens who came
to the palace to
wait on the royal
family and hopefully
attract a husband of
consequence from the
guards. They were
usually from noble
or well-to-do
households.
The Zhang family had
their fair share of
pu ren over the
centuries, though
none were employed
at the Muntong court
at present. Each of
the women wore a
pien-fu, an ancient
style two-piece silk
garment that was
often used in old
ceremonies when
their people had
lived on Earth. They
varied in color, but
consisted of a tunic
gown with long,
square sleeves that
extended to the
knees and a skirt
that fell to the
floor. Even though
some of the ancient
Earth ways no longer
applied to their
modern culture, all
of the Líntinese
people clung to the
traditions of the
past.
Mei sat next to her
brother, Prince
Zhang Haun, the
oldest child and
heir to the Zhang
throne. Haun was ten
years older than
her, but they’d
always been close.
Mei would be lying
if she didn’t admit
that she had always
idolized him. When
she was a little
girl, he’d been so
strong and powerful.
Now, as she was
older, he was still
those things, but
she saw that he was
also generous and
kind. He would make
a great ruler
someday.
“Princess Mei,” the
foreign Emperor
said, his eyes
roaming over her
clothing.
Mei couldn’t tell if
it was approval or
displeasure on his
blank, bored
expression, though
he did seem to look
her over quite a
bit. The Zhang were
more modernized in
style instead of the
traditional fashions
the people of
Singhai preferred.
Even so, her robe
was belted tightly
around her waist
until it cut off her
circulation. The pu
ren had been sent to
help her dress and
they’d insisted on
cinching it tight.
Not wanting to
refuse Emperor
Song’s hospitality,
she let them.
“You do not speak
tonight,” Emperor
Song continued.
“Why speak when I
would hear one of
your lovely pu ren
sing?” Mei answered,
her voice low and
sweet.
She saw her brother
stiffen next to her
and knew him to be
holding back his
laughter. The little
show she put on for
the Song family was
just that--a show.
She was not meek or
mild in her opinions
or her convictions.
However, she knew
when to strike like
a snake and when to
be the timid, pretty
flower. Mastering
the art of both was
what made her such a
good negotiator. As
the youngest and
smallest of six
children,
negotiating had come
in handy growing up.
Otherwise, she’d
have been in for it
from her five
siblings.
“Perhaps another
time, sister,” Haun
said, before the
Emperor could
answer, “but the
boat waits for us.”
Mei hid her sigh of
relief. Haun knew of
the prophecy and was
saving her from
enduring the Song
family any longer.
His negotiations
were done for the
most part, though
whether he was
satisfied remained
to be seen. However,
if it wasn’t this
negotiation, there
would be something
else with which he’d
have to deal. Such
was Haun’s life and
responsibility.
Though nothing was
said officially, the
Zhang siblings had
seen their oldest
brother slowly
taking over more and
more
responsibilities.
Haun stood,
prompting the other
men to do the same.
Mei was the last to
her feet. The
stinging sensation
of blood returning
to her legs made her
stand completely
still, though it
took everything in
her not to make a
run for the docks.
She’d made it
through the ordeal
without a proposal.
The knot in her
stomach began to
lessen. This was it.
Prince Lok had shown
no interest. Her
great-grandmother
was wrong. She
wouldn’t have to
marry him.
“You have honored us
with your visit,
Prince Haun,” Lok
said when his father
didn’t speak. Mei
folded her hands in
front of her,
itching to get into
a pair of silk pants
and stretch her
legs. The robe’s
thick belt only
seemed to pull
tighter against her
ribs. “We will speak
with the mining
corporation about
your family’s
concerns--”
“I
assure you, there is
nothing to be
concerned about,”
the Emperor
interrupted, giving
his son a stern
glance.
“I’m sorry to
disagree with you,
Emperor, but there
is much to be
concerned about,”
said Haun. “The
Zhang people--”
“The Lin Yao mines
have supplied our
people with the
sacred purple jade
for centuries. The
trade is too
valuable and
profitable to our
dynasty. Why would
we need to resort to
manufacturing
chandoo?” The
Emperor frowned,
holding out his
arms. “Do you
presume to insult
me? Do I look like a
common intergalactic
drug trader?”
“Not you, Emperor
Song,” Haun
answered, not
backing down. Mei
was proud of him.
The Emperor was an
intimidating man.
“But maybe those
within the Lin Yao
Mining Company. When
we analyzed the
clothing taken from
those on the ship,
they were covered
with traces of the
mine dust. All we
ask is that you look
into it. Consider it
a favor to the Zhang
family.”
The Emperor’s frown
deepened as he
looked down his nose
at Haun. “I owe no
favors to the--”
Lok placed a hand on
his father’s
shoulder, but looked
at the Zhang prince.
“Please, we have
been through this.
We have heard your
plea and will act.
There is nothing
further to discuss.
I give you my word I
will personally go
to the mines and
investigate these
claims.”
Mei studied Lok’s
hand on Emperor
Song’s arm. True,
she didn’t really
know the Emperor or
his family that
well, but it seemed
an odd gesture for
the son to do. The
Emperor didn’t say
anything at the
interruption, but
merely nodded once.
The idea that Lok
was taking over for
his Emperor as Haun
was for their father
struck her. In her
head, she’d thought
of marrying the Song
Prince, not the Song
Emperor. Lok’s
father wasn’t an
eligible husband so
his hand was never
considered in the
prophecy, but Lok
would someday be
Emperor.
Empress Song Mei.
Mei trembled, as she
thought of all her
mother’s duties. She
did not want to be
her mother. Yes, she
loved the Empress,
but Mei had no
desire to be the
woman or to carry
her royal burdens.
Haun bowed at the
waist, his hands
joined palm to fist
in front of his
chest. Mei dutifully
nodded her head,
though she wasn’t
addressed. The blood
rushing through her
ears drowned out
sound as the men
took their leave of
each other.
Haun stepped back
from the low table
and gestured for her
to follow him. Mei
did so without
question, trailing
properly behind him
in respect. When
they were alone, she
hurried to her
brother’s side.
Taking a deep
breath, she said in
suspicion, “They
hide something.”
Haun quirked a brow
but didn’t answer.
“Prince Lok…there
was something off
about the way he was
acting. I know we
aren’t acquainted
with the man, but
there was
something....”
Haun still didn’t
respond.
“I
know you think I’m
crazy, but I sense
that some--”
“The air has ears
and the wall has
eyes, mèimei.”
Haun’s mouth drew
into a faint smile
even though his eyes
stayed forward. “And
right now my head is
telling me you have
no wish to marry the
prince.”
Mei sighed, saying
no more as she
nodded in agreement.
He was right. Her
judgment of the
situation would be
off due to her
desire not to be
there, not to have
such a fate. She
slowed her step,
falling behind her
brother as she
followed him toward
the palace docks. He
was right. It was
possible she was
just fighting
destiny and trying
to find fault where
there was none.
“Zài-jiàn, Shan Gung
Din,” she said under
her breath, happy to
be leaving the
Mountain Palace.
“Goodbye, Singhai
Empire.”
Haun glanced over
his shoulder with a
smirk and she
realized he’d heard
her talking to
herself. Without a
word, he turned
forward.
Mei smiled at his
back as she
continued on in
silence.
©
copyright Michelle
M. Pillow, October
2004
This is a work of
fiction. All
characters, events,
and places are of
the author’s
imagination and not
to be confused with
fact. Any
resemblance to
living persons or
events is merely
coincidence.
REVIEWS
"5
ANGELS! Michelle
Pillow has done an
amazing job at
incorporating
multiple emotions
and dangers within
this plot, offering
readers an explosive
experience upon
completion. I would
highly recommend
this story! The
Pirate Prince is
tremendously worth
every one of its
angels. Is it still
called a standing
ovation when only
one person is doing
it because I assure
you this reader is
standing,
applauding, and
cheering Michelle
Pillow and The
Pirate Prince. It is
definitely a keeper.
5 Angels!" FAR
"5
STARS! Lords of the
Var: The Pirate
Prince is a
rollicking tale of
futuristic adventure
and romance...The
pace never lets up
as one adventure
after another kept
me guessing how it
would all work out.
All the elements of
two fascinating
cultures and great
characters weave
together perfectly!
Lords of the Var:
The Pirate Prince
stands alone but I
predict you will
want to read the
other adventures set
in this world. This
story left me with a
smile and a warm
feeling like I had
just visited with a
favorite bunch of
friends. The Pirate
Prince is one of my
new favorites!"
Patrice Storie, Just
Erotic Romance
Reviews, March 2006
"5
CUPS! Ms. Pillow‘s
work is wickedly
funny, erotically
charged,
action-packed, and
so wonderful it
makes a reviewer
hunt up the
adjectives to
describe it
properly. The
characters are
vividly written, the
men are intense, the
women are sassy, and
the sex is hotter
than molten lava in
a microwave. I
highly recommend
this book and give
it five steaming
cups." Jenn,
Reviewer For Coffee
Time Romance
"5
STARS!" This book
has everything a
reader could want:
action, adventure,
hot sex and even a
shape shifter. The
developing love
story between Jarek
and Mei is
beautifully woven
into the story. Now
that all of the
Princes have found
their mates, I hope
this is not the last
story about these
men. I loved this
book and all the
colorful characters
in it." Candy,
Ecataromance, April
2006
"The Pirate Prince
rocked." Cerise,
Joyfully Reviewed,
July 2006
"4
HEARTS! A
great story that
shouldn't be
missed." Julia, TRS,
June 13, 2006
"4
Blue Ribbons! THE
LORDS OF VAR has
become the one of
the hottest series
and readers can’t
wait to read about
the handsome and
sexy
princes. ...Love
scenes are sizzling
with enough spice to
incinerate the
pages. The plot
will keep readers
engrossed in the
action and
fascinated by the
characters.
Michelle M. Pillow
has another winner
in the LORDS OF VAR
series with THE
PIRATE PRINCE and
one can only wonder
what she has in
store for the next
Prince of Var." By
Angel, Romance
Junkies Feb 2006
Additional
Book
Information
Amazon
ASIN:B004KAAY5M
Electronic
ISBN:978-1-4524-7497-7
PRINT
ISBN-13:
978-1460969755
PRINT
ISBN-10:
1460969758
Release
Date: Jan
2011
Series
The Savage King
The Playful Prince
The Bound Prince
The Rogue Prince
The Pirate Prince
Series is related to
Dragon Lords Series
Available at the following vendors
Eros Ebooks, Smashwords
Print Version
(if applicable)
lords of
the var,
space
lords,
var
series,
dragon,
futuristic,
shifter,
paranormal
romance,
romance,
paranormal,
fantasy,
sci-fi,
michelle
pillow,
mandy
roth,
the
raven
books,
raven
happy
hour,
erotic,
galaxy,
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