Page 55 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Ember gapped at me. “What are you doing?” She hissed under her breath.

Ignoring her, I dropped the coins in the fae’s outstretched hand. She dipped her head in thanks and then set about wrapping the necklace in fine tissues. Placing the jewelry in a box, she handed it to Ember.

“You’re lucky to have such a doting mate,” she said, winking at the she-wolf.

Ember’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening. “Oh, no,” she said, waving her hands. “We’re not?—”

I slipped my palm into hers and pressed a kiss to her temple, cutting her off. Her mouth snapped closed. “Thank you,” I told the female fae. She giggled, pressing her fingers to her lips.

Still holding Ember’s hand, I led her away from the booth as we continued down the path.

Ember ducked her head. “You didn’t have to purchase this necklace,” she said. “We’re here only to find Melodina, not actually shop like we’re a couple.”

I paused, Ember drawing up beside me. She raised her head, a questioning look etched on her features.

I held her gaze. “I know I didn’t have to purchase it,” I replied. “I don’t have to do anything.” I squeezed her hand. “But I wanted to. So I did.”

Ember blinked slowly, her eyes widening. I peered at her, letting her see the open honesty that shone in my eyes. She stared into me a moment longer before dropping her head. But not before I caught a flush blooming across her cheeks.

I smirked and tugged on her hand. “Come on. We should keep going.”

We went from booth to booth, appearing interested in the products being sold and dropping the subject of Melodina subtly. Though each vendor said they hadn’t seen a child bearing that description. With each station we left, I watched Ember become more forlorn. The last booth bore no results either, and Ember hurried away from the blacksmith with tears brimming in her eyes.

Thanking the male, I hurried after Ember. Grabbing her forearm, I turned her around to face me. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her sapphire eyes like twin pools of shimmering water.

“What if we never find her, Drake? What if she’s—” her voice choked off on a sob.

“Hey, Hey,” I said, wrapping my large hands around her forearms. She slammed her eyelids shut. “Look at me,” I said, my voice tender. “We’ll find our daughter.” My eyes narrowedwith determination. “If I have to tear apart every stone building to find her, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Ember’s eyes widened as she stared up at me. I raised a brow. “What?”

“You truly see her as your daughter too…,” she breathed, as if in awe.

Indignation lanced through me. My brows slanted over my eyes. “Of course I do.”

Ember raised her hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that; I just…am surprised, that’s all.” She offered me a small smile. “It’s… well, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it's nice to hear you say that.”

That one smile outshone the sun above us. I gave a gentle grin in return. Removing my hands, I grabbed hers and said, “Come on, let’s keep asking around.”

Spotting a platinum blonde male in his middle- age selling produce, Ember and I approached his booth. The male brightened upon sighting us. I didn’t miss the appreciative glint in his eye as his gaze roved the length of Ember, either. I felt the flame of my power deep inside flicker and quickly quashed down on it before my anger bled over into tangible flames.

“Welcome,” the male said, spreading his eyes wide. He then picked up a plate with cubed-sized speckled fruit. “Care to try a sample of Barmosva?” He waggled his brows. “They’re sweet, and the flesh is tender.”

Ember smiled at him as she plucked a piece from the proffered plate. “Thank you.” She bit into the fruit and hummed with appreciation. “It’s delicious. You have produced a fine crop this year.”

The man’s ruddy cheeks turned scarlet as he grinned at her. “Much appreciated, my lady.”

Ember giggled. I stepped forward, my talons pricking beneath my fingernails. “Have you seen a little girl around the age of five around here? She has black hair and blue eyes.”

The man’s face scrunched up as he thought deeply. Ember’s teeth caught her bottom lip as we both awaited his answer.

His face lit up. “Ah, now that you mention it, I did see a little girl fitting that description.”

“Where?” Ember asked, leaning over the table and pressing into the man’s space. He leaned back a little, blinking up at Ember.

“I, uh, saw her by my fields,” the man said. He looked at me. “I have a crop of Barmosvas growing. I was tending to them three days ago and saw a young girl flanked by two faes.”

“Did you see what the adult fae looked like?” I asked, my heartbeats picking up.

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