Page 11

DRAKE

M y breath caught in my lungs again as I watched Ember bend over to sniff a flower. It happened so many times now I’d lost count. A part of myself feared my lungs would explode with a lack of air.

Three months had passed since Ember had come to live alongside my family and me in the shadow palace—three months of slow, unending torture.

My mother had the palace florist plant those flowers Ember loved from her home territory once she’d learned they were her favorite.

Now the whole garden had swaths of them growing strategically throughout.

Ember hummed in satisfaction, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. My eyes dropped to her ass, wiggling in joy.

Stars damn…

It was a nice ass, round and hot as sin.

An image of my hands curving around her bottom, squeezing the soft flesh beneath my fingers—her head thrown back in ecstasy—flashed to mind, sending my cock stiffening and rising to half-mast. I growled softly, palming my shaft, willing it to relax.

I didn’t need the female to scent my arousal.

Not here, not now.

I thought of bile and rat droppings—-anything disgusting to drag my thoughts out of the lustful gutter they rolled in. Relief blew through me as I felt my cock grow limp once more. Ember straightened, turning around to face me. Her eyes were bright and full of life.

She quirked a brow. “What are you doing all the way over there?” She asked. She beckoned with a hand for me to join her. “Come on! I don’t bite. Much.” She winked before a fit of giggles erupted from her throat.

I swallowed, but the knot in my throat refused to budge.

Three months of getting to know one another had left Ember quite playful.

Though from the onset, I had sworn to keep her at a distance, it was as if the she-wolf had become determined to get under my skin.

She had sniffed out my location each day in the castle, asking if she could accompany me in whatever I was doing.

At first, I had caught sight of the flashes of pain and loneliness in her eyes and had felt sorry for her—thus allowing her to join me as I went about my princely duties.

After about a month of her chasing me down, I soon found myself going to meet her in the mornings…

searching for her when she was delayed in finding me.

I slowly grew attached to seeing her smiling face each morning, of bidding her goodnight when the evening closed in.

Of being near her—the rare moments our skin came in contact with each other were the moments I lived for.

Before I knew it, I was too damn late to stop my attachment to her from growing into… .love .

I shook my head in wry amusement as I approached Ember. “I don’t know,” I drawled. “Seems like those fangs of yours can do wicked damage.”

Her eyes narrowed slightly, darkening to a navy blue. A hint of amber bled through her irises. “Want to find out?” She purred.

There went my damn cock again. Her eyes dropped to my leather pants and the tent that was growing fast. She pressed her fingers to her lips in surprise. Then, she ducked her chin and hurried down the cobblestone path.

I heaved a sigh. Another thing I soon learned was with the subtle flirting we engaged in, from time to time, came the awkwardness when one of us pushed it too far, like now.

I hurried to join Ember, and we strolled silently around the gardens.

We passed by a large tiered fountain with a horse head carved in marble.

The glistening waters cascaded from the top tier to pool in the ring below, the bubbling water shimmering like sapphire gemstones.

I paused; my thoughts flew back to the night I had first encountered Ember outside of the Great Hall.

She had sat on the outer ring of the fountain, her blue dress shimmering like the very waters that cascaded into the pool below.

Her hair was gilded a soft auburn in the silver light of the moon, and her eyes…

her eyes, as she lifted her gaze to me, had ensured me as thoroughly as any hunter’s trap.

Ember stilled alongside me. I saw her gaze at the fountain, her eyes taking on a far-off look.

Finally, she said, “This is where we met.”

I nodded. “Seems like so long ago…though it's merely been three months. ”

She turned her gaze to me. A soft smile graced her lips. “I know what you mean.”

I offered her a small grin in return. At seeing my smile, I swore her eyes danced.

She resumed walking, and I fell into step beside her. Then, two figures moved toward us. They wore dark armored plating; their long hair pulled back into identical sever buns. At their hips were long broadswords in their sheathes.

The royal guards.

I cocked my head, halting, waiting for them to draw closer. Ember stopped at my side.

She blinked, turning her attention to me. “Is something wrong?” She whispered, her voice laced with concern at sighting the guards.

“I don’t know,” I murmured.

Ember stiffened, and I swept a soothing hand down her arm.

“Your Highnesses,” the guards said, halting before us. They drew up their hands toward the sky in the customary salute.

Ember and I dipped our chins in acknowledgment.

The taller of the two spoke up, his gaze fastened on me. “You’re needed in the throne room, Prince Drakegeon. Your father has sent for you.”

I felt the temperature in the air drop a few degrees at the guard’s words.

My eyes immediately shot to Ember. Hers were round with worry, her face growing a few shades paler.

I felt my stomach twist at seeing her flirtatious mood only moments ago, having gone away with the wind.

I reached out to gently grip her hand. Her eyes snapped to me, and I could read the questions shining through them .

‘Will you go to war? Will you forever be stamped in time as my enemy?’

I tugged Ember to the side of the cobblestone path, drawing her away from the guards, and murmured low so only she could hear his words. “You know it cannot possibly be a conflict about our kingdoms. We’re engaged. My father may have something else he wishes to speak to me about.”

Ember licked her lips before replying, “You know this alliance is so fragile between our people—that it relies solely on us. What if your father has changed his mind? You told me yourself that he changes his mind for far less.”

I swept my hands up her arms and felt a seed of male satisfaction at seeing her body quiver under my touch as I placed my hands on top of her shoulders.

“You are correct. I did say that about my father.” I winced inwardly. “But one thing I know about my father is that he wants this peace treaty as much as we do.”

Ember slowly lowered her gaze, her head falling a notch. “Truly?”

I cocked my head slightly. “What?”

“Do we really want this peace treaty?” Her shoulders stiffened under my hold. “You still talk of not wanting marriage. I see you and her together.” Her eyes having gone amber, she glared up at me.

I wasn’t a fool. I knew who she spoke of.

Rosalana…

My brow furrowed.

“You know what this treaty entails, Drake. More than the…friendship that we somehow found ourselves developing. ”

I squeezed her shoulders. “Of course, I know.” My gaze softened. “I care about you, Ember.”

More than I should.

I was male enough to admit to myself that this werewolf Princess standing before me had utterly captured my heart, mind, and soul.

Never had I wanted anyone or anything so badly before in my life.

But Rosalana…What was I to do about her?

I couldn’t just toss aside my promise to my late friend Gallux?

Bile rose in my throat as I thought of the pain that would flash across Rosalana’s eyes if I broke my promise to her.

But what about to myself, I thought, a coil of dismay and despair slowly tightening around my throat.

“Your Highness,” the second guard spoke up. “What are we to say to your father?”

I growled low in my throat at having been disturbed. Ember backed up a step breaking out of my hold. My arms fell to my sides. I felt as if a cold chill was left in her wake.

“Go to your father. I’ll…I’ll be here.”

“Ember,” I said

“Please…just go.”

I felt empty inside—a hollowness as if Ember had reached inside me and ripped out a part of my soul.

Feeling numb, I turned away from her and followed my guards.

We stepped inside the palace and down the long corridor to the throne room in the back.

The guards positioned on either side of the corridor gave a salute as I swept by.

Standing before the ornate golden doors, the two guards grabbed the ring handles and pulled the doors open to allow me entrance.

Before the doors spanned a velvet carpet that stretched all the way to the two thrones at the back of the room.

I raised a brow to find the court oddly empty of the usual nobles.

The large floor gleamed under the row of crystal chandeliers.

More guards stood along the fringes of the room, their gaze cast straight ahead.

“The court has been dismissed for the day,” a deep voice boomed from the throne. Because I have some important news I wish to share with you, my son.”

The King sat on his throne, his arms braced along the armrests, his feet firmly planted on the dais.

Beside him sat my mother, Queen Mercer. Her throne was slightly smaller than my father’s—hers positioned to his left.

Her eyes were soft with happiness, a gentle smile gracing her lips.

The king stretched out a hand, beckoning me forward.

I walked down the length of the carpet, my footsteps muted on the plush material. “You called me?”

A slight frown furrowed my mother’s brow. “You can at least attempt to speak to your father with more respect, Drake.”

A smirk threatened to tug at the corners of my lips. It was always amusing to get a rise out of the queen, who always insisted on proper decorum, whether the court was present or not. I dipped my head in respect. “Yes, mother.”