Page 33

Chapter 33

My Prince

I didn’t get far from the library when a familiar voice called out behind me.

“There’s my precious one.”

Just as I was turning toward the speaker, arms wrapped my waist and a chin rested on my shoulder.

A low chuckle escaped me, and I shook my head. “Your brother might care a lot about you, but I don’t think he’s going to tolerate this kind of closeness, Prince Orian.”

The arms holding me stiffened for a heartbeat and then slid loose so Orian could move to stand in front of me. “How? My father struggles to tell us apart sometimes.”

It was only during a visit to Orian with Nylian that it had occurred to me they were supposed to be identical twins. “Supposed to be,” because I could tell them apart with a mere glance. How could I not? So much was different between them, from their voice tones to the tiny crinkles at the corners of their eyes when they smiled. There was even something different in the way they smelled.

While I’d been caught off guard at first, I’d known instantly who was holding me the second I’d felt those arms. The soft soap they both used smelled different on Nylian’s skin, and I’d always recognize it because of the number of times I’d buried my face in the warm crook of his throat.

“Ever been in love?”

Orian’s smirk shifted to something devilish and even that was off from Nylian’s. “I have loved a lot of people in my lifetime.”

“Not what I was talking about,” I muttered with a roll of my eyes. “I know with only a peek that it’s Nylian. It’s in his eyes and the way he looks at me with his whole heart. I can hear it in his voice, and the way his tongue wraps those two words: precious one. And I know it in his smell. He is heaven to me, and there’s no mistaking it. It’s too easy for me to tell you two apart.”

“Orian knows you can tell us apart. He’s just jealous,” Nylian declared as he walked up behind me. This time when arms closed around me, my entire body relaxed, knowing that I was being held by the one person in the world who could be this close to me. “My dear brother also knows that he will pray for poisoning if I catch him attempting to touch you again.” Nylian turned his face into the side of my head and kissed my earlobe. “And you need to stop finding new ways for me to love you more.”

“Has loving me become so painful?” I teased.

“This is becoming sickening for me,” Orian chimed in.

I turned my gaze to the elf brother and smiled, willing to put aside the silly flirting until I could get Nylian alone. “It’s good to see they released you from your imprisonment, Prince Orian.”

He snorted. “I’m still waiting to hear if I’ve been released permanently, or if this is a temporary reprieve for the special event.”

“Special event? What’s happening?”

Nylian let go of me so he could move to stand next to his brother. “ We’ve been summoned before the king.”

“We as in, you two?”

“We as in us three,” he corrected.

“When? Crap. I need to make sure I have something proper to wear.” I tried to turn toward a nearby set of stairs, intending to return to my room to go through my new wardrobe. Jasper wasn’t the only one who’d been treated very well the past several days. I’d also received several visits from tailors, cobblers, glove makers, and more. The first of the new garments had arrived yesterday, but I wasn’t sure I had anything formal enough to be worn to see the king.

Nylian grabbed my hand and pulled me back. “The summons is for right now . We were coming to fetch you.”

“But—”

He stopped my arguments with a sharp kiss that was more teeth than anything, thanks to his wide grin. “You look perfect.”

Why did he have to say things like that? It made it so hard to argue with him, and that evil elf knew it.

While I was still flustered, Nylian pulled me by the hand through the many winding hallways until they grew to the opulence and elegance worthy of a king. As we approached the double doors, a pair of servants in green and white pulled them open, not even giving me a chance to catch my breath and center my thoughts.

Just like that, we were striding down a long aisle with people in fancy clothes on either side of us. This wasn’t a private meeting with the king. This was a formal fucking meeting before the court and countless officials. Crap!

At the end of the aisle, King Dorwynn sat on his throne of oak, while Queen Yaereene sat on a smaller throne to his left. Behind the queen stood Consort Celaena, the mother of Princesses Saida and Melarue. There was another woman behind her with a grim expression that I took to be Consort Valindra. She was probably less than thrilled about how things had worked out, but at least she and her children were still alive.

When we reached the dais, I followed Nylian’s lead and bowed to the king and the other royals.

“Prince Orian, We are so relieved to see you healed and in good health,” King Dorwynn stated, his deep voice ringing out over the silence of the throne room.

“Thank you, Father, for your warm concern. I am so sorry to have troubled you and our Queen Mother.” Orian replied with another bow of his head. “It has been a good reminder that I need to work on my sword skills further. My brother still surpasses me.”

“Not funny,” Nylian grumbled beside him while I kept my face blank. The king and queen didn’t look amused by Orian’s quip either, but it was likely that Orian still had no clue how close he’d come to death.

“Prince Victor Montcroix,” King Dorwynn stated slowly. I stepped forward and bowed to him yet again.

“Your Majesty.”

“When I prayed for the gods to provide me with a miracle to save my son, it never crossed my mind that the miracle would have your face,” the king said, dropping the royal “We.”

I lowered my eyes and swallowed, not sure how to proceed. There was no way I could be lovable goof, Adam Lockhart. Victor Montcroix was too well-known of a figure and had been rather vocal in his hatred of Wolfrest.

“Your Majesty, it was a long road that I traveled with Prince Xeran. He saved my life on more than one occasion when most probably would have left me for dead, because he is a good, honorable, and noble person. During our journey through hardship and danger, our friendship was forged, and I take that as one of the most valuable gifts I have ever received in a very privileged life. When the opportunity arose to save Prince Orian, I did it not because I felt any kinship toward him, but as a small way of thanking Prince Xeran for his friendship, patience, and compassion. I only hope that from this day forward, our two kingdoms can start anew as true allies. Friends who help and support each other when there are hardships, as well as celebrate together the great triumphs of life.”

Several seconds ticked by in oppressive silence. When I could no longer take it, I slowly lifted my gaze to find the king watching me like a bug, seeming unsure of what to do about me.

At last, the king sighed. “More than once, King Gerald Montcroix has reached out to me with words of peace and alliance, but I have ignored him, unwilling to trust his words because of you.” He paused, not at all happy about what he was about to say. “In gratitude for what you have done to save Prince Orian and assist Prince Xeran, I will reach out in good faith to your father to work to mending the centuries of ill will between our two kingdoms. In my years on the throne, I have learned that enemies are always plentiful and true friends are too few. When there is a genuine chance of friendship, we should always reach for it.”

I bowed low. “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your generosity.” With me taken care of, I straightened and retreated, happy to hide behind Nylian and become part of the forgotten background.

“Prince Xeran…” King Dorwynn stated, but where my name was a heavy weight of old angers, this one held regret and sadness. “Your honor was maligned. You were wrongly exiled. And your life was placed in danger countless times. Yet, because of your strong sense of duty to your kingdom and your family, you uncovered the truth behind the assassination attempt and saved Prince Orian’s life. I do not know what gift I can give you to show adequate gratitude for the service you have rendered our kingdom.”

Nylian stepped forward and gave his father a somewhat respectful bow of the head. “I don’t presume to know the mind of my Father King, but if he would hear my suggestion, I would like to say that I believe you should name Prince Orian Elrich as the crown prince of Wolfrest.”

There was an enormous gasp that filled the large room, as each of the nobles, courtiers, and officials reacted in shock to Nylian’s words. Had they really thought that he would claim that spot of heir to the throne? Fools. Not one of them knew him.

I glanced over and found Prince Orian smirking and shaking his head, as if he found all of this too amusing.

Well, maybe his twin brother knew him. He didn’t seem surprised.

“What?” King Dorwynn roared, launching to his feet.

Okay, everyone else was surprised while the king was pissed.

Nylian didn’t back down. “Prince Orian is wise, compassionate, patient, and strong. One day in the distant future, I’m confident that he will make an excellent leader for Wolfrest, preserving the prosperity and peace you have brought to our people.”

“What if I name you my heir?”

Nylian didn’t flinch as he met his father’s glare. The arrogant bastard might have even lifted his chin. “No. I’ll renounce all claim to the throne. As either a prince or a common subject, I’m happy to support Orian as king. I’ll support Prince Lorsan or any of my sisters if that’s who you choose. I’ll do my duty to the kingdom and lead our armies to defend our borders, but I refuse to be king.” He turned and grabbed my hand, threading our fingers together as he pulled me forward to share his spotlight. “My only wish is to marry Prince Victor Montcroix and explore the world with him. I want to build a life with him at my side and no one else. The bloodline of Elrich stops with me. Let Orian have the harem and brood of children to fight over the throne.” Nylian lifted his gaze to hold mine, his green eyes sparkling like flawless emeralds, stealing my breath away. “The only one I want is the man standing beside me.”

“You’re such a hopeless romantic,” I murmured, fighting the urge to kiss him right there in front of all the assembled nobility and officials.

“The world needs to know you’re mine,” Nylian said, his grin so fucking smug.

There was loud sputtering and gasping from the dais. We both turned our heads to find the king’s face flushed while his mouth opened and closed like a landed carp. Before he could find his words, Queen Yaereene reached out and covered his hand with hers. The king’s head snapped to her, and she smiled so softly.

“Please, my dearest heart. Our son is in love.”

The king’s resistance crumbled in front of our eyes. He dropped back onto the throne in a huff and glared at Nylian for a moment, but I didn’t miss that he was now holding the queen’s hand in an obvious sign of affection. The man might have consorts, but he had one true love.

I still had no intention of sharing my prince with anyone else.

“Fine,” King Dorwynn huffed, still sounding a little put out. “It’s decided. Prince Orian Elrich, you are now Crown Prince of Wolfrest. Your every task will be focused on preparing you to one day sit on the throne. All your siblings will be dedicated to supporting you.”

Nylian released me and stepped over to stand closer to Prince Orian. Prince Lorsan, Princess Saida, and another young woman I hadn’t seen until now but guessed to be Princess Neia stepped out of the crowd closest to the dais. As one, they all bowed to the king, accepting the edict he’d handed down.

“And you!” The king pointed at me. “You will marry Prince Xeran and be his one and only mate for as long as you live. Ha! Bet your father didn’t see that coming when he wanted to become our ally.”

I wanted to chuckle at the king’s twisted glee, but I simply bowed. “I will do everything I can to live up to your most gracious generosity. My life will be dedicated to the happiness and well-being of your precious son.”

Just as I was straightening, Nylian crashed into me, sealing our betrothal with a kiss.

Yes, this prince was officially off the market, and he was all mine.