Page 9

T he moon was high in the sky by the time we neared the palace’s lantern-lit drawbridge. Still dripping wet, Lukas and I trudged down the sandy path with a groaning Arenn propped up between us. Through the gaps in the swaying palm trees, I could see the guards lining the palace entrance. We were steps away from crossing their sightline, when I pulled us all to a halt.

“Arenn, you need to hide your ears,” I hissed. Faeries might not be as hated here in Ryntook as they were back in Drothmore, but I really didn’t want the extra attention dragging a faery around the palace would bring. Especially after this morning’s disaster.

Straining to lift his head, the faery prince smiled tightly. “Anything for you, my love.”

Lukas cursed under his breath, but his anger soon gave way to dismay as Arenn’s long pointed ears shimmered and resized themselves to something much more human.

Exhaling raggedly, Arenn’s head flopped down again. Both Lukas and I buckled under the weight of his now limp body.

“Come on,” I panted, struggling to stay upright. “Let’s just get him inside.”

“I can’t believe you’re making me do this,” Lukas muttered. With a scowl that could melt through steel, he snatched Arenn out of my grasp, hauled him over his shoulders and marched off towards the drawbridge.

I scurried closely behind the furious king all the way through the palace. When we finally reached the hallway leading to our bedchambers, Lukas paused and twisted around to face me.

“Go to your room, Naria.” His tone was short. “I’ll deal with this for now.”

“But where are you taking him?” I blurted, surprising myself with the concern in my voice.

A muscle ticked in Lukas’s jaw. “I’ll put him in my bedchamber, and I’ll make sure the guards know to keep an eye on him.” Something like hurt broke across his features, but only briefly, before his gaze darkened and he continued in a cold tone, “Now do as I said, go to your room and lock the door until I come for you.”

“But where will you sleep?” I stepped forward.

“With my future wife, of course.”

My stomach dipped. “Oh…”

He studied me for a brief moment before turning away, still carrying the faery prince over his shoulders.

A breath whooshed out of me as heat stained my cheeks. We could share a bed. Bed sharing would be fine. I’d sleep just like I normally would. Except now there’d be a man just inches away, his chest warming my back, his hands close enough to slip around my—

“And, Naria?” Lukas called from down the hallway, making me squeak in surprise. “Stop thinking what you’re thinking. I won’t take your virtue until we’re married, no matter how much I might want to with your faery prince down the hall.” He muttered that last part under his breath, but I still heard him.

As I rushed to my bedchamber, I tried to think of anything else while searching for the most modest nightgown I owned.

The following morning, I awoke with a firm chest pressed against my back and two arms wrapped around my waist. Sunbeams filtered in through the sheer curtains, casting a warm glow over my shell-shaped bed. All the while, I tried to steady a very different kind of warmth that was now pulsing through my body. I’d never been held like this before. Especially not by a man.

A man that was now stirring behind me, a low sound vibrating in his chest while his arms around me tightened in an almost protective way.

My breath shortened to a gasp.

“Lukas,” I whispered.

Sleepy mumbles buzzed against my ear, and when I attempted to wriggle out of his grasp, they hardened into a growl.

“Where are you going?” he said huskily, dragging me back against him. I’d never heard him speak in that tone before. Not when our bodies were both so close. It made all the heat pool in my lower belly.

“Lukas, wake up,” I squeaked, rubbing his forearm. “I have an appointment this morning with Queen Cora, remember?” I tried again pointlessly to wriggle away. “The one you arranged for me. Remember the plan?” Although even I was struggling to remember anything he’d said last night, especially with his hand slipping past my stomach and then down to my hips.

A breathy noise slipped past my tongue.

“Lukas…” I said, more as a plea this time. But then I squeaked as I was pulled beneath him. My heart thundered in my ears. With his eyes still closed and his legs now straddling mine, his lips found my neck, trailing sleepy kisses down my collarbone.

Wordlessly, my back arched into him.

“You like it when I kiss you there, don’t you?” he growled, and I couldn’t help but nod.

Ancients, I should’ve stopped. I should’ve pushed him away, woken him up. But when his hips rolled against the burning skin beneath my nightgown, all I could do was sigh.

“It’s been so long,” he went on, voice heavy with sleep. “So long since I’ve had someone so lovely in my bed.” I bit back a moan as his lips found my ear. When his hands dipped to my thighs, he gripped them as if they were his. “Now you’re going to sing for me.”

My toes curled. “Lukas, please,” I breathed.

Lazily, his fingers trailed up my thighs.

“We really shouldn’t…” But my words abandoned me when he eased my legs apart.

“You’re all mine now, Naria,” he murmured deep into my ear. “And that faery scum is a fool if he thinks he can ever stop me from falling in love with you.”

My breath faltered. Love?

I’d barely recalled that first awful dream with the faery prince before my fingers turned white against the bedsheets. If Lukas loved me that meant he could try to break Arenn’s crystal bond on my wrist. But like Arenn had said, ‘his desire would have to be strong enough or he’d die trying.’

Die .

He could die because of me. And that thought made me want to—

“Lukas!” I screamed, shoving against his broad shoulders.

His eyes snapped open. For a brief moment, confusion twisted his features, but then his gaze lowered to my legs either side of his hips. With a gasp, he bolted upright.

“Forgive me,” he sputtered, crawling backwards to the opposite side of the bed.

Chest heaving, I sat up too, lifting the bed sheets for an ounce of modesty.

“Did we…” Lukas’s voice failed him as he dragged a hand through the messy waves of his hair. “Forges, Naria, I’ll never forgive myself if I—”

“Nothing happened,” I said quickly.

He exhaled. “Still. I’m so sorry for waking you up like that. It’s just…” He cleared his throat, red glowing on his cheeks. “It’s been a while since I’ve shared a bed with anyone. But I’ll make sure to find a different bedchamber for tonight. I’d never be able to live with myself if I made you uncomfortable. I—”

“Please don’t go.” The words fell out of me before I’d realised what I’d said.

His steel gaze met mine.

“I, um, I suppose I’d just feel safer with you here,” I carried on despite the guilt gnawing in my mind. This is fine , I argued with myself. Lukas was safe all the time he was unaware of the connection I had with the faery prince, and right now, he was unaware – or at least I hoped he was.

Swallowing, he nodded. “I’ll stay as long as you need.”

His words made my chest feel warm, but before I could thank him, a knock clacked against the door.

“Your Highness? I’m here to take you to Queen Cora,” a voice called from the hallway.

Lukas caught my wince, and all traces of five minutes ago were masked behind a wave of seriousness. “It’s alright,” he reassured me. “Queen Cora will be the easiest for you to win over. Just apologise for what happened in the meeting and be yourself. She’ll like you, I’m certain of it.”

“Be myself?” I raised an eyebrow.

Lukas sighed. “Just be what your people need.”

Fear swallowed up the last of the butterflies in my stomach. What my people needed was a real queen, not just a girl with little patience for politics. But I didn’t tell him that. Instead, I slipped out of bed and wandered over to the wardrobe, busying my shaking hands with choosing the most regal gown to wear.