Page 13 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling casting the room in silver light. Twin thrones stood at the back of the room, one slightly larger than the other—the King’s throne. Both thrones seemed made from the finest platinum, with diamond trim and deep violet cushioning. The throne room was empty.

I looked to Drake. “Where’s your court?”

He shot me a disbelieving glance. “Still traveling from the elven lands. Some have decided to stay at an inn for the night. But as royals, it is our duty to return to the palace as soon as possible.”

A wave of embarrassment flooded my cheeks.

Right, of course. Way to make yourself out to be the fool, Ember.

He spun on his heel and padded down another corridor. He made quick work of showing me the library and ballroom. He then took me up a flight of opulent stairs, showing me several private rooms where important guests and delegates stayed on the west side of the palace.

“Let me show you to the gardens,” Drake said. He headed for the stairs.

I had to jog to keep up with him nearly, my shorter legs not covering as much ground as his lengthy strides.

He took the stairs, and I bunched up my skirts and launched after him. “Could you wai—” a yelp punched from my throat as my foot caught on my skirt.

I pitched forward, the stairs rushing up to meet me. Gasping, I slammed my eyelids shut, unable to right myself in time.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my middle, breaking my fall. The breath whooshed out of me. In the next breath, I was hauled backward against a solid chest. My eyelids snapped open to find Drake standing behind me. His warmth seeped into me, turning up the delicious heat in my belly to blazing proportions. My breath came out in pants, though I was not spent. I angled my head to peer up at him.

His head tipped down, his gaze colliding with mine. Dark locks draped over his shoulder, falling around us to form a dark cocoon resembling raven’s wings. Drake’s nostrils flared as he caught the scent of my arousal. His grip tightened, long fingers digging into the soft flesh of my hips. My inner wolf nearly purred, her tail wagging as she arched beneath my skin. Acting instinctually, I pressed further into him, my bottom grinding against his groin.

Drake let out a ragged hiss. I could feel the hard length of him rising to attention.

My eyes widened further.

Oh, my stars…he can’t be that big…can he?

Drake dipped his head, his warm breath fanning over my cheekbones. His lips were a scant breath from mine. My mouth flooded with moisture in want of him—to press my lips against the firm softness, taste him, drink him in.

My bottom rubbed against Drake again. A guttural groan punched from him. I clamped my teeth shut against the whimper that rose in my throat. Stars, it felt exquisite.

His tongue dipped out to lap against the hollow of my throat, and the wet heat of him against my tender skin nearlypushed me over the edge. I wanted to freefall over it and into him.

Then, Drake stilled. Every muscle in his body locked together like a band of iron. I knew at that moment that he was no longer with me in the enticing temptation—he’d been ripped back into reality. Forced away from me by the knowledge of what we were—enemies. It didn’t matter that our parents had agreed to a union between us. You couldn’t just erase centuries of hatred in one day. My inner wolf sat on her haunches, her ears pinned against her head.

Lips twisted with a touch of regret, I straightened, sliding out of Drake’s hold. He allowed his arms to fall to his sides. I righted myself on a step, refusing to meet his gaze as a wave of heat pricked my cheeks and burned my ears.

“Um,” I said, clearing my throat. “T-thanks for saving me.” I grabbed a lock of my auburn hair, twirling it around my finger.

Silence greeted me. Hurt stabbed against my belly. He still refused to talk to me, even after that. I swallowed back the rush of tears.

Why the hell am I about to cry? It’s not like I care for him in that manner.

“Just be careful.”

Whirling around, I gaped at him. He watched me through eyes narrowed with frustration. I could’ve sworn I caught a flash of regret that flickered in that amethyst gaze. My heart chose that moment to dance inside my chest.

Inhaling deeply, unable to tear my eyes away from him, I forced a nod. With that, Drake swept past and continued down the steps. A horde of butterflies took to flight in my stomach as I noted how he kept his strides to match mine,purposefully placing his body ahead of mine down the whole stairs in case I should fall again.

Reaching the bottom of the stairs, Drake walked till we headed to two glass doors. Beyond the doors stretched a magnificent garden with lush grass, willow trees with delicate limbs dancing in the breeze, and a glistening brook that serpentined through the garden grounds. My eyes widened in awe.

Drake opened the door and gestured to me to go through with a jerk of his chin. Dipping my head in a nod, I stepped out into the garden first. The sun was dipping toward the horizon gilding the trees in soft lavender hues. The flowers seemed to be touched by amber, appearing as if painted in gold as their petals gently swayed in the breeze.

One flower, in particular, caught my eye. It was a flordastel, a flower that was found in our territory. Its pink stem and brilliant periwinkle blue trumpet petals were breathtaking. I found a knot lodged in my throat. My eyes burned, and I blinked rapidly to keep the tears at bay.

I sensed Drake step up behind me. “Hey,” he murmured. He rested a hand on my shoulder and gently guided me to face him. My lips thinned, and I stared up at him through a sheen of tears, his form blurred.

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