Page 30 of To Catch a Prince

“Oh,” was all shesaid.

So much for herassumptions.

“And my son,” said she, “Commander of the King’s army, hero of the battle of Norda, is, in fact, so much of a workaholic his cousin has to enforce hisvacations.”

“Exaggeration,” Vincent retorted. “I stay at Norda because it’s myhome.”

“And you remain planted on the guard tower every day of the week because it’s fun,perhaps?”

Vincent rolled his eyes. “Or perhaps I don’t have much else to do, mother. Besides, you ladies were discussing Talia’s ridiculous assumption that we might expect her to remain seated and look pretty for the rest of time.” He came and pulled out the chair next to hers in the dining room. “If you liked your previous position, we could set up a shop. Mages are valued in our lands. Dragons have elemental magics, but mainly used to fight, and perhaps heal physical wounds. There are bears, wolves, and other shifters in these lands who are often in need of a mage’s science for theirailments.”

Now that he said it, it made an awful lot of sense - a large kingdom governed by creatures who didn’t get sick, yet filled with some subjects who could. Dragons were viewed as monstrous creatures that ate children in Malek and she didn’t doubt that the misconception was spread far and wide through the land. So, mages wouldn’t naturally pick Farden as a potentialhome.

Her mind spun quickly. What he said made plenty of sense. And she could, in serving her sister’s Kingdom, perhaps, someday, repay the debt she owedher.

Besides…the way they’d talked of that Enchantress who’d taken their defenses down? Talia doubted that the woman was done with them. If - or when - she attacked again, Talia needed to behere.

“The idea hasmerit.”

Mula smiled. Vincent got up and returned to his window. Twisting her back on her chair to watch him, Talia ask, “What, are yougoing?”

The question took him aback. “Sorry?”

“Well, you wanted to have tea with your mother and here we are. Yet your tea is cold, untouched, and you just won’t tear yourself from that window. Is there a circus out there that we might also want towatch?”

Had she grown a pair of horns, the Vasili might not have looked at her with moreastonishment.

Then, Viktor laughed. “My son,” he explained, “surveys his surroundings at all times. If there’s any danger coming, he wants to know. Therefore, windows are his favoritedwellings.”

Talia patted the back of the chair. “Come now. There are plenty of guards around Telenar. Sit. Herbal tea is also nice cold, so you’re inluck.”

More astonishment from all fronts, but he came, he sat, and he drank his tea,nonetheless.

* * *

“Wed her.If you let her pass you by, by all gods, I shall disinherityou.”

The whispered threat, as Mula kissed his cheeks when they said their farewells, only served to make himsmile.

“Love you, too, mother,” was all herreplied.

She then embraced Talia, holding on to her very tightly before letting go. Viktor didn’t say a word, but his gaze wastelling.

No need for all the posturing. Of course he’d wed her. Still, they wouldn’t be happy when they learned that it only solved half of their problem. Because, by all gods, old and new, good or evil, he wouldn’t risk her to the trials of childbirth. Not when so many dragon females died giving birth; as a human - and not even a Rider - she had even less chance of surviving it. Until a time came when mothers lived to see their children grow, it would be just them in theirhome.

Which home, he wondered. Talia might not like Norda. Finally,finally,they crossed his parents’ drawing room and closed the door. Only then did he take Talia by the shoulders, pinning her against the closest wall, and dropping his lips tohers.

He couldn’t help himself. He had to know what she tasted like. And now, he did. Wild berries, summertime, and passion. Hot, sweaty sex. Her eyes widened at first and she froze. For an instant, Vincent wondered if she’d fight this, fight him, despite their sizzling attraction, despite the chemistry. Not because she didn’t want this; just because it was who she was. His challenge. The only person who’d ever imposed her will over his - and she did so without an effort, so gently he didn’t evencare.

But Talia softened under his lips; instead of pushing against his chest as he feared she might, her hands crawled from his arms to his shoulders, and held himcloser.

Coaxing her lips open, he took her mouth deep, long, languorously, as his hands explored her endless perfectcurves.

She moaned. He lostit.

Fuck.

He lifted her up and she instinctively wrapped her legs around his waist. Through too many layers of clothes, he felt her heat for him. Her gaze was clouded with raw unapologetic need. She ground against his hardening length, and somehow he stayed upright, although every one of his muscles was tightening so damn painfully. Vincent couldn’t get enough of her. He might even have taken her right there, in front of his parents’ apartment, if he hadn’t wanted more. So much more. His head dipped to her throat and he sucked on her sensitive skin as she begged, chanting “please, please,” like amantra.

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