Page 95 of Wild Bond

His breath tickled across my skin, and I couldn’t resist a small tremor from trickling through me.

Curse the Nine, the man was absolutelylethal!

It was only as he pulled back that my mind even registered what he had said. We came to a halt, and I had just started to turn and see what he was talking about, when a darkly familiar voice asked, “May I cut in? Or were you planning on monopolizing my trainee for the rest of the evening,Your Highness?”

Rakestoodthereglaringat Prince Malik, and Malik grinned back, though his eyes had gone hard in a way they hadn’t been while talking to me. His tone was mocking, his brow pinched in faux confusion when he replied, “Yourtrainee, is she?” He gave Rake an arch look. “Well, yourtraineeand I have been having a lovely time, as you well know from observing us so closely.” He turned to me. “My apologies, my lady, for taking up so much of your time. Please forgive me.” He placed his fist over his heart and nodded his head slightly in a formal gesture I felt had more significance than I realized.

Knowing what I now knew, I couldn’t help but glance between the two men and look for similarities. They were the same in height and build, both had the typical Zehvitian dark hair and bronze skin, though Rake’s skin was slightly lighter in tone thanks to his mother, and he had those blue eyes compared to Malik’s brown. And of course, they were both unfairly attractive. There was even something in the way the two men carried themselves. In fact, I couldn’t help thinking that they looked more alike than Malik and Amir did. It seemed blatantly obvious now. Though I supposed people saw what they wanted to see, and if you weren’t looking for the similarities, they would pass you by, or you’d simply dismiss them as the commonalities between people from the same region.

I, however, couldn’tunseeit.

“Th-there is nothing to forgive, Your Highness,” I finally assured him. “I’ve quite enjoyed our conversation.” And I meant it, even despite the upsetting revelation. “Thank you for the dance.”

He nodded, grasped my hand, and kissed it softly. “Good luck on the final trial. I have no doubt you will be joining our ranks very soon.”

I smiled faintly in thanks before he turned to Rake, the warmth fading from his expression. “Rakim,” he acknowledged stiffly.

“Your Highness,” Rake returned.

As the prince took his leave, Rake’s strong hand grasped mine in his. I couldn’t help the small intake of breath as his other hand settled on my waist. As he drew me in closer to his body and we began to dance, I felt that familiar hum of arousal in my blood, that awareness that always seemed heightened when he was near.

“I didn’t know you could dance,” I said after a moment, wanting to fill the silence and wondering why this felt so stilted.

“My mother taught me,” he explained, his gaze studying my face.

I was annoyed to find that he was apparently just as good of a dancer as Prince Malik.Of course.

I sensed Skye’s amusement in the bond, and I could tell she was confused as to why I was upset with Rake. I had to admit, I was as well. Being in his arms felt so good, so right, but the night in general had left me feeling out of sorts and like I didn’t really know the man I was currently dancing with.

“Have I done something to upset you?” Rake asked, those too-perceptive eyes studying me closely.

“Of course not,” I lied.

“Then what did Malik say to you? I saw your face while you were dancing.” His expression darkened. “If he did something—"

“He didn’t do anything to upset me. In fact, he was a perfect gentleman.”

Rake scoffed. “I highly doubt that. The man is our enemy, Rin. He can’t be trusted.”

“The Zehvitians are no longer our enemy. We’re not at war anymore.”

His eyes flashed. “They attacked us and nearly got you killed.”

“We still don’t know if the Zehvitians were truly behind that,” I countered.

A dark expression suffused his face. “I don’t like the way he looked at you. Royals can’t be trusted.”

It was my turn to scoff. “What about Princess Helene? Can she be trusted?”

He stared down at me in surprise at the change in subject. “What?”

“I saw you talking rather intently with her. You seemed quite intrigued. Can she be trusted?”

“Probably not, no,” he allowed. “And it’s actually the younger sister who intrigues me more.”

“Younger sister?” I asked. I didn’t recall there being anyone else from Halmar seated at the high table.

Rake nodded. “Princess Helene’s twin actually, but she isn’t here. She isn’t a dragon rider.”

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