Page 37 of Quest for her Knights (The Lost Souls of Dyconia #5)

Chapter twenty-six

Elora

I try to listen to everything the lords say, but my mind is still in turmoil.

Part of me wants to run away. The thought of being around the knights makes me anxious, angry, and heartbroken all at once.

But I’m a coward and have little confidence in my ability to survive this world, and I don’t want to die.

After I heard what Ranger really thought of me, I cried some more, then decided I needed to make things work with these lords. I didn’t know who was left to see, but these guys didn’t seem to have any red flags.

There didn’t seem to be a spark, but I did find them attractive. Sometimes a spark takes time to grow, like a friends-to-lovers book. My least favorite trope, after enemies-to-lovers, but it works in romance books, which means it could work in real life .

Maybe each of these lords could fit my desire for different energy.

I’d already pegged Rafe as the golden retriever, but I wasn’t sure about any of the others yet.

They just seemed like your standard well-rounded guys: kind, pleasant enough to talk to (if not slightly boring), and attractive enough to get away with being normal. Maybe they were amazing in bed.

But it’s not an image of them in my bed that comes to mind.

My eyes move to Draven, who’s been staring at me all night.

Even at dinner, he was watching me more than the room.

Now that we’re back in the parlor, he’s positioned himself in front of me again, and it infuriates me that I can’t stop myself from constantly glancing at him.

I haven’t seen Arrow or Ranger since earlier, and I’m glad, at least about Ranger.

I’m not sure I could face him right now.

I’m angry and embarrassed. The way he views me as some silly little girl with a crush on the older man tasked with protecting her…

I hate that I showed him so much of my feelings toward him and about myself in general.

Maybe if I choose these lords to marry, I’ll feel like I can face him again, knowing that at least they want to be with me, even if it may only be because of my title.

“Elora? Are you all right?”

“Hmm? What?” I glance around, realizing I’d zoned out again, something I’ve been doing all evening.

“I asked if you were feeling okay. You had a strange look on your face. ”

“I apologize. I promise I’m normally more attentive than this, it’s just been a long day.”

“Would you like to go to your rooms now?” Kael asks.

I glance at Draven, but the thought of being locked back in my suite with the knights isn’t something I’m ready for just yet.

“No,” I say, shaking my head. “I want to keep chatting with you all.”

They seem pleased with my answer and relax back into their seats. Darian stands and refreshes our glasses of wine. When he sits back down beside me, he sits closer than before, his leg pressed against mine.

I glance up at him and he smiles, then gently places his hand on my thigh as he watches me for approval. I give him a small smile back, telling him it’s okay, and his fingers relax.

There’s still no spark, but there is attraction. Maybe to get over the knights, I need to get under someone else. Not literally, but there isn’t anything wrong with a kiss, is there?

I lick my lips and try not to picture Draven instead of Darian as I look at him.

“I hope it’s not out of line for me to say this, but you are the most exquisite woman I’ve ever met,” Darian says quietly as his thumb gently moves over my thigh.

“Really?” I ask. “Have you met many women?”

He leans closer to answer so only I can hear. “Let’s just say, in answer to your earlier question, no, I’m not a virgin. Not even close. ”

My eyes widen in surprise. “So you’d say you’re… experienced then?” I bite my lip nervously as my stomach does somersaults. I wish that I wanted him to kiss me, but my heart and gut seem to disagree, so much so that I’m afraid if he tries to kiss me, I might vomit on him.

“If you’re worried about being satisfied, I assure you that you have nothing to worry about. I can be extremely generous, if you know what I mean.”

Well, shit. This conversation got dirty really quick. It’s my own fault for being so outspoken earlier. Normally I’d love this sort of banter, but it’s not him I want it with.

I just nod, unsure what to say or how to change the subject at this point.

“All day I’ve been wondering… do your lips feel as soft as they look?”

My stomach clenches in unease as he leans toward me, his hand moves up to my neck and I internally freak out. His eyes close as he leans closer. I try to pull my head back, but his hand holds me still. Just before his lips connect with mine, a large, calloused hand slides between us.

I glance up and realize it’s Draven’s hand, pressed against my lips. Darian pulls back in surprise, but my eyes stay glued to Draven. I warned him not to interrupt me again, and I don’t sense any danger here, not the life-threatening kind, anyway .

He stares down at me and it’s not his usual expressionless stare. I see pain there, and what I think is acceptance. Acceptance of what? I’m not sure yet.

One of his fingers curls under my chin in a tiny caress before he pulls his hand back and glances at Darian.

“Sorry to interrupt, but it’s past the princess’s bedtime.”

“Sure it is,” Darian says with a grin before lifting his wine to his lips, taking a sip. He glances at me but he doesn’t seem upset we were interrupted. He seems amused.

I’m not sure what to make of that but Draven gestures for me to stand, so I quickly rise to my feet.

“I am feeling tired, it’s probably for the best to head to bed now. Goodnight, gentlemen.” I nod to the lords who all rise to their feet and bow in my direction as I scurry around the sofa towards the door where Blaze is still standing.

When I’m in the hall and the door closes behind us, Draven’s large hand engulfs mine. I look up at him in question but he keeps his eyes forward as we follow Blaze back to our suite.

Wasn’t I supposed to be mad at him? Did I not warn him not to interrupt me? But even as I think it, my heart seems to be humming in happiness that he stopped me from kissing Darian.

I feel betrayed by my own heart.

When we enter our suite, I glance around, but there’s no sign of Ranger or Arrow.

Blaze shuts the door and Draven immediately turns to me and lifts me by my waist .

“Draven!” I say in surprise, my hands reaching out to grip his biceps before he places my butt on the dining table. “What are you doing?” I ask as he pushes my knees apart and steps in between my legs, pushing my dress up as he places his palms on the table on either side of my thighs.

He leans forward until his forehead is almost touching mine, then he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath.

“D-Draven?” I ask in concern.

“I couldn’t let you do it,” he finally says.

“Do what?”

“I know I should let you go, let you kiss him, but I can’t.”

“Why not?” I ask, but he doesn’t answer, so I prod him. “Draven? Why couldn’t you let me kiss him?” My heart hammers wildly in my chest as I wait for him to respond.

“Did you want to kiss him?”

“Answer my question first,” I demand. He doesn’t answer and I grind my teeth, my brows pinching in anger. “Draven, you’re not being fair. You can’t keep pulling me away, leading me on, then pushing me back to them. You’re preventing me from moving on, it’s confusing and cruel.”

His hands turn to grip my thighs firmly as his forehead drops to mine.

“I’m sorry, kitten. I know what I’m supposed to do, but I just can’t let you go.”

“W-what do you mean? What are you saying, Draven? ”

My pulse doubles in speed as he lifts his head to look me in the eyes, with an expression that says what he’s about to do is painful for him. I narrow my eyes in anger. “If you’re about to break my heart—”

I’m cut off as he slams his lips to mine. I freeze, completely taken off guard, but then his hand comes up to cup my cheek and his lips start to move. My eyes close as my body seems to accept him, my hands fisting in the front of his shirt, pulling him closer as he tilts my face for better access.

He kisses me over and over until his tongue asks for entrance.

I don’t hesitate to open for him, and the second his tongue touches mine, we both moan.

I throw my arms around his neck and practically leap from the table onto him.

My legs wrap around his back and he moves one hand to support me under my ass.

I rub myself against his abs as he kisses me.

Everything else seems to melt away as my heart connects with his.

I don’t even know what that means, but it’s as if I can feel a thread between us.

One that’s always been there, but now we’ve finally connected, I can see it in my mind, a glowing string that tethers our hearts together, and I know, without a doubt, that I love this man.

That we were made for each other. And if he decides to pull away again, I’ll be beyond heartbroken.

That thought has me coming to my senses as I pull back and open my eyes. He looks as wrecked as I feel.

“Draven…” I whisper, afraid of what comes next .

But it’s his next words that leave me speechless. “Please don’t break my heart.” My eyes widen in shock as I stare at him.

“What—”

“You’re mine now, kitten. And I’m not letting you go.” If my heart could burst from happiness, it would have just happened. I don’t try to stop the huge smile from covering my face, and when he grins back at me, my breath catches. He’s breathtaking when he smiles.

“Draven. What are you doing?” Blaze asks nervously.

Draven wraps his other hand around my back, pulling me tight against his chest as if he’s afraid I’ll be taken from him. He looks at Blaze as he tells him, “I’m claiming what’s mine.”

“Hells bells, Draven,” I whisper, pressing my face against his neck. “I think you just went and soaked my panties.”