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I can’t tell if she’s horrified or fascinated—perhaps a mixture of both. Fuck, she’s adorable when she acts so innocent.

“Just a kiss,” I tell her. “Maybe a lick and a suck.Imagine your pussy is like a ripe fruit, and I wish to gorge myself on it.”

I need to build my strength. Those years locked away have weakened me, and weakened my magic, too. In years gone by, I would have had her stripping naked by now, begging me to fuck her. But either my magic is too weak, or she is immune to it. It’s frustrating, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. I can still make her want me.

Already, her wings have unfurled from her body and tremble in the air behind her. I can’t tell if she’s nervous or excited. Perhaps a mixture of both.

I run my hand down the side of her neck, pushing away her long hair, and then lower my lips to her incredibly soft skin. Fuck, she smells amazing.

I can’t allow myself to fall for her. I have to get rid of her if I’m ever going to have this kingdom to myself. It’s clear that people love her, and they’ll never accept me as their ruler if she is around.

I place kisses to her throat, and she bows into me, a soft breath escaping her lips. I don’t know if it’s my magic that’s bringing about the desired effect or simply my presence. Bizarrely, I find myself hoping for the latter—though I’ve never cared if women only wanted me because of my magic before.

The swells of her breasts peep from the top of her corseted dress, and I risk ducking lower to place kisses on their soft mounds. I hold her waist with one hand, the other supporting her back. Her wings flutter in the air behind her, helping to hold her up, even as she swoons. The tips of her toes lift from the ground, so she’s suspended in the air while I work to free her tits from thecorset. I can’t wait to get my mouth around her nipples, to suckle on her until she’s moaning my name.

A loud knock comes at the library door.

Taelyn gasps in shock and her toes make contact with the floor. She shoves me away, pulling her dress back up to cover herself. She spins away just as the door opens and Cirrus enters.

“Princess, I need to talk to you about your plans to ride through the wildlands to find the Mage.” His gaze flicks to me, and then back to her.

She’s regained her composure and turns to him, her expression schooled into a serious one.

“Of course.” She addresses me next. “We’re done here, Prince Ruarok. I will see you on my return.”

It’s clear I’ve been dismissed.

23

TAELYN

PART THREE

I’mawake before the sun rises.

The monumental task that lies ahead of me has made it nearly impossible to sleep. I think I might have dozed for an hour or so, but then my racing heart woke me again. I could feel it thumping through my whole body, as though the mattress beneath me pulsed with the beat.

I pray to the gods I’m not making a huge mistake, but what other choice do I have? Being afraid is not a reason not to do something. If I do nothing, it’ll mean the end of the kingdom. I refuse to be a coward.

From outside comes the clop of horses’ hooves in the courtyard, followed by the call of one man to another to ensure everything is ready for the journey.

A light knock taps at my door.

“Enter,” I call.

Skylar pops her head inside. “Do you need help dressing, Princess?”

“No, I’m fine today, but thank you.”

I won’t be dressing in my usual corseted top and longskirts today. They wouldn’t be practical at all. Instead, I’ll wear my riding gear—jodhpurs and boots, and several layers of long-sleeved tops.

Skylar doesn’t leave but busies herself gathering items for my journey. I use the bathroom then dress in my chosen outfit.

In front of the full-length mirror, I look transformed.

If it weren’t for my hair, I could pass for a man. My curves are disguised under layers of clothes. They are necessary. It’s bitterly cold in the wildlands, no matter what the season, and it’s exposed out there, too. There are very few trees and nowhere to shelter. We’ll be taking camping gear with us, but a few sheets of canvas won’t be much protection against the kind of danger we’ll face.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to join you?” Skylar asks. “I feel terrible staying here while you do something so dangerous.”