Page 96 of Princess Claimed

“I am. Both.” Turning around, I beckon for Flame to come closer. Blade is already in the archives, so Selina will have to meet him later.

Flame saunters toward us, and my insides dance with pride that this tall, handsome male is part of my life, even if I can’t see how it can last. And that’s one of many things I want to discuss with my sister.

“Selina, this is Flame.”

“Nice to meet you.” Flame grins at Selina, and then leans toward me. “Am I supposed to curtsy, or some shit?” He glances at Selina. “Excuse my manners. You’re a princess too, right?”

“Yes,” she replies. “But I hate formalities. Just call me Selina.” She gestures to the side. “Come. Both of you. Let’s go somewhere we can talk. Or…would you like to go to your apartment and get settled in? Freshen up? Sleep?” Selina asks me a million more questions with her eyes, and then glances toward Flame, clearly trying to get a reading on what’s going on between us. “I hear you traveled here with two male vampires?”

“Yes.” My cheeks flush. “Blade is in the archives, doing research. That’s the main reason we came to the palace.”

“Not to visit me?” Selina puts her hands on her hips, then laughs. “Come to where we’re staying.”

Grinning, I take her offered hand, and she leads us to the Alabaster Suite, an apartment most often used for visiting dignitaries, like members of the five families and heads of syndicates.

“You’re not staying in your own rooms?” I ask her. “Is Father living in the royal suite again?” I haven’t yet seen the king, although I’m told he’s at court.

“Dunkan’s using the Emerald Suite. The Royal Suite is rightfully yours.” Selina squeezes my hand. “You did all the decorating. And with your diplomatic role, you’re at court much more often than I am.”

I nod, not wanting to waste time discussing living arrangements, or whether or not I’ll be at the palace as often, going forward. That open question is just one of the many things doing laps around my mind.

Before meeting the brothers, my life plan—my dream—was to travel the world, to solve problems and negotiate contracts in the name of the crown and the vampiric council. I longed for the adventure and the freedom to visit every place on earth, and my role as a diplomat provides a way to live out that dream without abandoning my royal duties.

And I can’t abandon my duties. With all the planned reforms, King Dunkan needs my support and experience.

I can’t bear the thought of living permanently at the palace again, cooped up in this opulence that started to feel like a prison, especially after I met Selina. My sister’s existence meant I was no longer first in line for the crown. That gave me options, and meeting her, I gained the courage to explore the world.

Regained that courage.

I was born adventurous, but that side of me was damaged by Rasputin’s abuse, and then fully stolen by the Bolshevik soldiers who murdered my family. When Dunkan first brought me here, the palace was a warm quilt of protection I badly needed, and for a hundred years I rarely wanted to come out from under its warmth.

But I will never again live in fear of the world. I want to see it all. And I’m shocked that I’ve let myself be cooped up again. That I let a little danger keep me inside. Even if there were side benefits to my captivity…

As we walk through the grand halls, I turn back toward Flame to make sure he’s okay. He glances around the space, clearly admiring the decor. Frankly, I prefer Flame’s taste, but some of the art objects in here date back thousands of years, and I’ve heard our palace puts the one at the Vatican to shame. Yet another place I’d like to see. Surely one can gain access at night.

“You’re very quiet,” Selina says softly. “I was very sorry to hear about Timur.”

“Thank you.” Grief clouds the happiness in my heart. “I do miss him, but…”

Selina glances behind us, and then leans in to whisper in my ear. “Is Flame your lover?”

I nod and she gives me a knowing smile as she opens the door to her apartment.

“Sit anywhere you like,” she says once we’re all in her lavish sitting room. “Can I get either of you anything? Food? Drink? Blood?”

“I’m good.” Flame drops onto a plush sofa, its bright red upholstery a contrast to all the alabaster ornaments and black and white marble in here, but then he bounces back up and gestures, as if thinking he should have let the women sit first.

I smile. Flame’s really trying, and I should be glad he hasn’t tossed any lit matches. None that I’ve seen.

Going to Flame’s side, I sit, pulling him down with me, and Selina takes a matching chair nearby, tucking her legs up and to the side. I love how quickly and easily I feel at home with her again, even though we haven’t known each other much more than a year and have been separated the past few months.

“You two are sisters?” Flame’s brow wrinkles. “I know Ana comes from Russia…”

“We aren’t related by birth,” Selina explains. “It’s kind of a long story, but King Dunkan is my biological father, and he’s Ana’s Maker, so, although we aren’t technically sisters?—”

“We’re sisters.” I smile at her, and then turn to Flame. “Selina is my family.”

He nods. “I get that. I mean, Blade, Crusher, Phil, and I aren’t blood, but those men will always be my brothers.”

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