Page 28 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“Ember,” Iiara said, her melodic voice rising over me like a soothing balm. “What is it? Why are you crying?”

I hiccuped as I fought for breath to explain. Lifting my head slightly from the pillow, I told her, “It’s over between Drake and me…not that there was really anything there anyway.”

Iiara leaned above me, her long straight hair falling over me like an ebony waterfall. “What?” She gasped. “I-I don’t understand.”

Another set of footsteps sounded on the other side of my bed. I turned my head slightly, taking the sight of the darkhair fashioned in a sleek bob. A pair of brown eyes shone with concern.

“H-hey, Mara,” I said between sobs.

Mara shot Iiara a hard look. “What is wrong with the princess?”

“Will somebody tell me what’s going on and why Ember is sobbing into her pillow?” A third voice broke the stillness, this one raspier than the others. Ballina. Another fae female servant and my third best friend. She entered the room, kicking the door closed behind her.

I sighed, pushing myself up on my elbows. Swinging my legs across the mattress, I sat up on the edge of the bed. The three females gazed expectantly at me. I inhaled a shaky breath, desperate to keep the tears at bay long enough to speak. “Things between Drake and I are over. He…d-doesn’t want to mate with me. I heard him say he’s trying to find a way to call off the engagement.”

“What the hell?” Mara exclaimed. “Why would he do that?”

“I don’t understand,” said Iiara, her long hair whipping about her shoulders as she shook her head. “This doesn’t make any sense. He’s obviously smitten with you.” She looked at the other two females. “Could this be a case of nerves for the upcoming ball?”

“Oh, I’ll give him a case of nerves,” Ballina growled. “When I kick his ass!” She whirled around, her hand on the doorknob.

I shot out a hand. “Ballina, no!”

She slid her eyes to me, her gaze bright with fury.

“Don’t try to stop me. He deserves it,” Ballina snapped, her incisors lengthening to wicked points.

I gave her a watery smile. “That may very well be true, but you don’t deserve the execution you’ll face for harming the crown prince.” Ballina paused, her hand still on the doorknob. “Ballina, please don’t confront him. For me.”

Ballina let out a groan of frustration and pushed away from the door. She slammed her back against the wall, arms crossed over her chest.

“Did he give a reason why he wants to break off the engagement?” Iiara asked, lowering herself onto the bed to sit beside me.

Her question brought fresh tears to my eyes, and I swiped them away before they fell. “He told me that he had made a promise before meeting me…to Rosalana. He’d already promised her that he’d make her his bride.” My throat closed off, and I was unable to say more as the thought flashed to mind of Rosalana, in a breathtaking wedding gown, walking down the aisle to meet Drake at the altar. I bit the inside of my cheek hard enough to taste the iron tang of blood.

All three of my friends spoke up at once, their voices a discordant mass that filled the room. Even with my keen hearing, I was unable to discern what they were saying.

“Please, please,” I said, “Not all at once.”

“What the hell would he want with that slut?” Ballina hissed. Her eyes sparked with rage. “Everyone knows she’s been chasing after him for years. Not the other way around.”

I shrugged a shoulder, my gaze dropping to my lap. “I don’t know. I think he mentioned something about a brother not of blood. Gall—something was his name.”

“Gallux,” Mara said. “His late friend who died in the battle at Mount Rikar. “He misses him dearly.”

“I don’t know what he sees in that witch!” Ballina snarled. “She’s horrible to the servants and acts like she’s entitled to the throne. She only acts nice when she’s around Drake. She’s a two-faced bitch.”

I sighed. “Whatever Rosalana may be, it doesn’t matter now. Nothing matters. Once King Tridar and my parents find out about this, I will be returning home.” I lifted my gaze to my friends. “I probably won’t see you three again.” I swallowed. “Once I return home, our people will be at war once more. A-and I will be your enemy.”

“No,” Iiara cried. She drew me into a tight hug. “You will never be anything more than our friend, our sister.” My eyes took in Ballina and Mara. The two females nodded, their gaze fierce with love. I swallowed past the tears clogged in my throat.

“I love you, girls. I always will!”

Tears sprang to Mara’s eyes, and even Ballina’s eyes grew wet. Both females stepped forward and wrapped their arms around Iiara and me—joining in on the embrace. Tears flowed freely once more as I gave myself over to their sisterly love.

Ballina drew back slightly, quickly wiping away her tears. “You know, I think I’ve got an idea that’ll cheer you up.”

I sniffled. “Thanks, Ballina, but I don’t think anything you say will lift my spirits.”

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