Page 142 of The Chains You Defy

“Is everything alright?”

My head spun around when a deliciously tousled head poked out of the bedroom door. Nayana was still half asleep, but she took one glance at me as I nursed my finger and lolloped over.

“Hey, there’s no reason to fuss.”

“Are you hurt? Show me.”

“I caught a splinter, but the wound has healed already.”

“Aww, is the poor princeling suffering from an ouchie? Do you need me to kiss the pain away?”

Mh, not a bad idea. Would I get away if I took her teasing literally?

Fuck, I shouldn’t get distracted. “No joking, Naya. Instead, you’d better get dressed. Have you checked the washroom already?”

“No, I woke up to your cries of agony.”

“Cries? Agony?”

“Yes, for a moment, I thought you were under attack.”

Someonewas in a mocking mood today. My lips curled up before I took a step in her direction, but she dodged my ministrations. “Big mistake.”

Her eyes widened adorably, and her delicious scent intensified. My nostrils flared as I took a deep breath before prowling the few paces to where she stood, and something must have told her I was a male with a purpose, or she’d realized that rousing my hunting instincts hadn’t been the best idea. This held true on a normal day, but today, even more so. There was a time for a good hunt—and that was almost always—and there was one to stick to my well thought out strategies.

So I grabbed her and flung her over my shoulder, carrying her with big strides into the bathing chamber. Of course, my tiny woman protested, but I wasn’t having her complaints.

Setting her down carefully on the tiled floor, I nudged her deeper into the room and, with fascination, noticed one of my magic tendrils tugging on her wrist as well. “Get ready, Naya. I have plans for us today.”

“Plans?”

“Yes.”

“What kind of plans?”

“It’s a surprise.”

“Oh come on, tell me.”

“No.”

“Princeling.”

To speed affairs up, I shut the door in her face. My magic would make sure she’d find the package with mydaily courtship gift, and since she was an intelligent female, she’d certainly catch what she was supposed to do.

Nine minutes or thirty-eight circles on the carpet plus four additional times checking the basket later, Nayanafinallyreturned to the drawing room of our suite, and my gaze zeroed in on her. She was wrapped in a heavy black cloak, which dragged over the floor—once upon a time, the garment had belonged to me. I simply loved when she wore something of mine and when my scent surrounded her. One of the reasons I ensured that only my soap was available in my quarters.

“You’re already wearing the cloak.”

“Look who has perfect vision.”

“So cheeky.” After I’d caught her once more, I was tempted to pull the black fabric aside to sneak a glimpse of what was underneath, but Nayana wasn’t having my attempts and had the audacity to swat my hand away.

“What can I say? You bring out the best in me.”

My growl was playful as I tugged her deeper into my embrace. “Come on, we should leave, or we’ll never make it.”

Reluctantly, I released her, grabbed the basket, and opened the door. Everything in me itched to snatch at least her hand, and after a quick battle and a daring glance from my female, I made up my mind.