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Someone cleared their throat. I turned to find Drake’s siblings standing in the courtyard alongside their parents.

The sister seemed to cast me a pitying look while the other young male’s shoulders shook in a barely concealed fit of laughter.

I glared at him. It only seemed to encourage the male.

I believe his name was Solarus… King Tridar shot a withering glare over his shoulders, and Solarus froze, cowed beneath his gaze.

Turning back to face Drake and me, the king said, “Welcome to our home, Princess Ember Vaughan. ”

I dipped into a low curtsey, as was proper when formally greeting a royal. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Straightening, I saw that I had made the right move, for his eyes glimmered with pleased surprise, and the queen’s sharp angular features softened somewhat.

“Drake,” Queen Mercer Evenus told her son, “why don’t you show the princess around? If she is to live here, she ought to be familiar with the grounds.”

My small smile stayed in place, yet a scream resounded inside my body.

I can’t possibly be stuck with him for a moment longer. I had already spent a day confined in a tight space with him!

By the slight muscles that twitched at the corner of his eye, I could tell Drake wasn’t thrilled about the idea either. Yet, his mother’s cold features brooked no argument.

Casting me a brief glance, Drake said, “This way, Princess.” Then he turned and strode toward the palace doors.

I took a couple of steps forward, then paused as doubt and apprehension crept inside. I cast an unsure glance over my shoulder. Queen Mercer nodded encouragingly.

“You’re in good hands with Prince Drake, Princess Ember,” said King Tridar.

That’s what you think…

My chest heaved as I inhaled a steadying breath and resumed following the Prince.

I entered the palace and was awed by the decor.

Crystalline chandeliers spanned the length of the great corridor.

A burgundy rug ran down the marble floors.

A row of guards dressed in obsidian armor stood on either end of the corridor and upon Drake and myself entering, stood straight and offered a salute .

Drake dipped his chin in acknowledgment. He glanced at me out of the side of his eye. “You’ll find beyond this corridor that it leads to the throne room. He then showed me the room. I was surprised that it wasn’t much different from the throne room of my palace home.

A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling casting the room in silver light. Twin thrones stood at the back of the room, one slightly larger than the other—the King’s throne. Both thrones seemed made from the finest platinum, with diamond trim and deep violet cushioning. The throne room was empty.

I looked to Drake. “Where’s your court?”

He shot me a disbelieving glance. “Still traveling from the elven lands. Some have decided to stay at an inn for the night. But as royals, it is our duty to return to the palace as soon as possible.”

A wave of embarrassment flooded my cheeks.

Right, of course. Way to make yourself out to be the fool, Ember.

He spun on his heel and padded down another corridor. He made quick work of showing me the library and ballroom. He then took me up a flight of opulent stairs, showing me several private rooms where important guests and delegates stayed on the west side of the palace.

“Let me show you to the gardens,” Drake said. He headed for the stairs.

I had to jog to keep up with him nearly, my shorter legs not covering as much ground as his lengthy strides.

He took the stairs, and I bunched up my skirts and launched after him. “Could you wai—” a yelp punched from my throat as my foot caught on my skirt .

I pitched forward, the stairs rushing up to meet me. Gasping, I slammed my eyelids shut, unable to right myself in time.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my middle, breaking my fall.

The breath whooshed out of me. In the next breath, I was hauled backward against a solid chest. My eyelids snapped open to find Drake standing behind me.

His warmth seeped into me, turning up the delicious heat in my belly to blazing proportions.

My breath came out in pants, though I was not spent. I angled my head to peer up at him.

His head tipped down, his gaze colliding with mine.

Dark locks draped over his shoulder, falling around us to form a dark cocoon resembling raven’s wings.

Drake’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of my arousal.

His grip tightened, long fingers digging into the soft flesh of my hips.

My inner wolf nearly purred, her tail wagging as she arched beneath my skin.

Acting instinctually, I pressed further into him, my bottom grinding against his groin.

Drake let out a ragged hiss. I could feel the hard length of him rising to attention.

My eyes widened further.

Oh, my stars…he can’t be that big…can he?

Drake dipped his head, his warm breath fanning over my cheekbones. His lips were a scant breath from mine. My mouth flooded with moisture in want of him—to press my lips against the firm softness, taste him, drink him in.

My bottom rubbed against Drake again. A guttural groan punched from him. I clamped my teeth shut against the whimper that rose in my throat. Stars, it felt exquisite.

His tongue dipped out to lap against the hollow of my throat, and the wet heat of him against my tender skin nearly pushed me over the edge. I wanted to freefall over it and into him.

Then, Drake stilled. Every muscle in his body locked together like a band of iron.

I knew at that moment that he was no longer with me in the enticing temptation—he’d been ripped back into reality.

Forced away from me by the knowledge of what we were—enemies.

It didn’t matter that our parents had agreed to a union between us.

You couldn’t just erase centuries of hatred in one day.

My inner wolf sat on her haunches, her ears pinned against her head.

Lips twisted with a touch of regret, I straightened, sliding out of Drake’s hold. He allowed his arms to fall to his sides. I righted myself on a step, refusing to meet his gaze as a wave of heat pricked my cheeks and burned my ears.

“Um,” I said, clearing my throat. “T-thanks for saving me.” I grabbed a lock of my auburn hair, twirling it around my finger.

Silence greeted me. Hurt stabbed against my belly. He still refused to talk to me, even after that. I swallowed back the rush of tears.

Why the hell am I about to cry? It’s not like I care for him in that manner.

“Just be careful.”

Whirling around, I gaped at him. He watched me through eyes narrowed with frustration. I could’ve sworn I caught a flash of regret that flickered in that amethyst gaze. My heart chose that moment to dance inside my chest.

Inhaling deeply, unable to tear my eyes away from him, I forced a nod.

With that, Drake swept past and continued down the steps.

A horde of butterflies took to flight in my stomach as I noted how he kept his strides to match mine, purposefully placing his body ahead of mine down the whole stairs in case I should fall again.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Drake walked till we headed to two glass doors. Beyond the doors stretched a magnificent garden with lush grass, willow trees with delicate limbs dancing in the breeze, and a glistening brook that serpentined through the garden grounds. My eyes widened in awe.

Drake opened the door and gestured to me to go through with a jerk of his chin.

Dipping my head in a nod, I stepped out into the garden first. The sun was dipping toward the horizon gilding the trees in soft lavender hues.

The flowers seemed to be touched by amber, appearing as if painted in gold as their petals gently swayed in the breeze.

One flower, in particular, caught my eye. It was a flordastel, a flower that was found in our territory. Its pink stem and brilliant periwinkle blue trumpet petals were breathtaking. I found a knot lodged in my throat. My eyes burned, and I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

I sensed Drake step up behind me. “Hey,” he murmured. He rested a hand on my shoulder and gently guided me to face him. My lips thinned, and I stared up at him through a sheen of tears, his form blurred.

Reaching out, Drake hooked a finger under my eye and captured a stray tear. I sniffled. “What is it? Why are you crying?”

I could see the genuine concern in his gaze; his brow furrowed, eyes widened.

I licked my lips and said, “The flower…” I pointed to the said plant. “It’s a flower of my home territory. I—” The words were lodged in my throat and refused to budge. I bit down ha rd on the inside of my cheek to stifle the sobs that threatened to break forth.

Understanding dawned on his features. His gaze softened, and the hard planes of his face smoothed out. “You miss your home.” It was worded as a statement and not a question.

I let out a wet laugh. “Am I that obvious?” I said sarcastically, pointing at the tears that now ran freely down my cheeks.

Shame punched through my core. I dropped my gaze.

I was a werewolf princess, raised to be independent, intelligent, and brave—a future leader after the death of my brother.

Here I was, blubbering over home, and I hadn’t even been gone for more than a day.

A calloused palm pressed against my cheek, and I flinched at the sudden contact. My eyes shot up to Drake. His eyes bore into mine with an intensity that commanded my attention.

“There is no shame in missing your home,” he said, his deep voice sweeping over me like a soothing balm. His eyes grew half-lidded, and he brushed his thumb under my eye again, swiping away at the tears.

I found my lower lip trembling at the sheer kindness he displayed—the way in which he tenderly held me. I closed my eyes and pressed further into his touch. “Thank you,” I whispered.