Page 27 of The Nymph Prince

Triton’s broad shoulders were covered by a thin net with jewels snarled in it much like the net on his throne, but he wore nothing else to cover his torso. His defined abdomen and wide, muscled chest was on full display. Creamy skin complimented his pale hair and his blue eyes were piercing.

“My son has returned home,” King Triton said with a sarcastic edge to his voice.

Lorcan stopped on the bottom step and looked up at the king. “More like I was dragged, kicking and screaming.”

Malik made an unamused sound, and I grinned up at him.

“And you brought a friend,” King Triton added, moving his gaze to me before looking back at his son. “An outsider hasn’t stepped foot in Avalontis in many years.”

My throat tightened. IknewI’d be unwelcome.

“Alek is my guest and I hope he will be treated as such,” Lorcan said. “He has saved my life and can be trusted.”

Triton’s gaze fell to Lorcan’s injured leg. “So it seems.” He tapped his fingers on the arm of the throne. “Very well. The human is welcome here, but he will be assigned a guard that will stay with him at all times. Both for his protection… and for everyone else’s should you be wrong about his loyalty.”

Lorcan bowed his head. “Thank you, Father.”

Although it passed almost as quickly as it’d appeared, King Triton looked down at Lorcan with a loving gleam in his eyes. The kind you’d expect from a father who was proud of his son.

I wondered if Lorcan knew just how much his father adored him.

7

Lorcan

I’d just made it to my bedchamber when Troy found me. He attacked me with a tight hug and buried his face into the side of my neck.

Malik stood by and let him, not moving a muscle as I was assaulted with affection by my greatest friend. I often thought Malik had a soft spot for Troy, for Troy got away with so much more than anyone else. Including me, most days.

“You stupid, stupid fool,” Troy mumbled before stepping back. His violet eyes glistened and the tops of his cheeks were pink. Light-brown hair fell across his brow.

“If I’m a stupid fool, does that mean I’m actually smart?”

Troy slapped my chest. “I do not need you lecturing me about correct grammar right now. I was worried about you, Lor. That was the longest you’d ever been away from home.”

I didn’t have the energy to argue with him or to explain why I’d been away for so long.

“It’s good to see you, Troy.” I grabbed his hands in mine. “Once I am washed and rested, there’s someone I wish for you to meet.”

“Who?” His confusion then turned to shock. “The boy you’ve been following? You brought himhere? Are you insane?”

“It was the only way to convince the prince to return,” Malik said in a grumbly tone. “And I was not in the mood to force him.”

“Yeah, right,” I scoffed, rolling my eyes. “As if you could force me to do anything.”

Malik smirked, and my challenge reflected in his orange eyes.

We both knew he’d win in any type of scuffle between us, yet he’d never used the full-force of that strength on me before, even when I’d been stubborn and fought him every step of the way.

“Where is this boy?” Troy asked.

After we’d visited Father in the throne room, Alek had been taken to the chamber he’d be staying in while in Avalontis. We’d only been apart for ten minutes, and yet, I already missed him.

“The human was escorted to his own chamber to freshen up before evening meal,” Malik answered. “You’ll see him there.”

Around others, Malik was mostly silent unless asked a direct question or ordered to do something. When it was only me, him, and Troy, though—and now Alek, too—he loosened up a bit and spoke freely. If it was up to me, he’d never have to stay silent on any matter, but Father was set in the old ways and tended to oppose such things, even from the one guard who’d been with him longer than any other.

Troy peered at me with worried eyes. “You trust him?”