Page 75 of Of Shadow and Moon

She lifts her gaze, and those striking eyes meet mine, before she smirks. “Hello, stalker,” she quips, humor lacing her tone. I lower myself into the chair across from her, my movements measured, controlled, even as my insides coil at the sight of Tomas, the flirt, sitting beside her, far too close for my liking.

His silver hair gleams under the dim lighting, his lips curled into a lazy smile as he leans back in his chair. He exudes confidence, a predator well aware of his own appeal, but I see the way his eyes linger on her, the way his fingers tap the back of her chair as if claiming his space.

I don’t like it.

Not one bit.

Tomas isn't wearing a shirt. Odd, even for him, though it doesn’t surprise me. The man thrives on attention, and right now, he has too much of hers.

“Why are you not wearing a shirt?” I ask flatly, my tone betraying none of the irritation roiling beneath the surface.

Tomas shrugs, entirely unfazed by my question. “I just went for a run and wanted to see if my girl was in the library again.”

My girl.

I clench my fists under the table, my jaw locking as the words echo in my head.

Selestina lets out a long-suffering sigh and rolls her eyes, but it’s the slight upward tilt of her lips that fuels my agitation. She enjoys this. She enjoys his attention, even if she’d never admit it. Just like she enjoys Matheus’s, and mine.

I think she hates the other two princes, but I’m not entirely sure.

A chair scrapes against the floor, the sharp sound cutting through the quiet air. I don’t have to look to know who has joined us.

The dragon prince.

Matheus pulls out the chair beside me, settling in as if he belongs, as if he’s earned a seat at this particular table. He and Selestina share a glance, something unspoken passing between them. It should make me furious, should spark that possessive rage that I’ve felt for months, but oddly, it doesn’t.

Because I am coming to a realization.

The more powerful people there are around Selestina, the safer she is. I’m just hoping it doesn’t garner more attention towards her.

Keeping her safe is my only priority.

They might think they have a chance, that they can claim her, but they are wrong. She is mine, and mine alone.

“Matheus, a word please,” a librarian calls from across the room.

The dragon prince hesitates, his gaze lingering back to Selestina, reluctant to leave.

“Go,” she tells him, amusement dancing in her tone. “Before you get in trouble.”

He exhales sharply but pushes back his chair and strides toward the librarian, clearly displeased at being pulled away from her.

I watch him go, then turn my focus back to my kitten. Tomas is already back in her space, his confidence unwavering.

“Am I still distracting you, princess?” Tomas drawls, his voice rich with amusement.

Selestina exhales through her nose, her patience wearing thin. “You are always a distraction, Tomas. The problem is that you enjoy it too much.”

Tomas grins, leaning in just a fraction closer. “Can you blame me? You’re quite distracting yourself.”

Enough.

I reach forward and pluck the book from her grasp, flipping it closed and crossing my arms over it, smirking at her.

“Hey,” she protests, reaching for it, but I keep my hold firm.

Her eyes flash with a mix of irritation and desire. I settle back in my chair, watching her, always watching. I know I should be more careful, that my obsession is starting to show, but I don’t care. Not anymore.

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