Page 58 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

Catching my breath, I replied. “We won’t leave her. But we can’t just waltz up in there. A shadow fae and a werewolf going to another sovereign’s dwelling—-that would be suicide.”

Ember threw out her arms. “But there must be some way,” she cried. She brought a fist to her forehead. “If only I were fae…I could get in there and get her out.”

An idea flashed to my mind at hearing Ember’s words, one I rebelled against instantly. I knew how foolhardy it was, but I also realized if I withheld the idea from Ember and she learned of it—she’d hate me forever.

I heaved a sigh. “I can cast a spell.” Ember’s head whipped toward me. My jaw worked. “It can give the illusion that you are summer fae. You could then sneak into the palace under the guise of seeking employment.”

“Cast the spell,” Ember said without a moment’s hesitation. Seeing my reluctance, she stepped toward me and placed a hand on my shoulder. She peered up at me with pleading eyes. “Please cast the spell, Drake.”

I swallowed. “You won’t like what it takes to cast such a spell.”

Ember’s brows slanted over her eyes. “Try me.”

I held her intense gaze. “The spell is powerful and would require a strong bond between us in order to anchor the spell.” I inhaled, taking a bracing breath. “I need to use the mating bond.”

Ember nodded. “Okay, so do it.”

“Acompletemating bond.”

One that would require a consummation to complete the ring of the mating bond. A consummation where both mates truly want it and are under no influence or distress.

Ember’s eyes slowly widened as realization sank in. Her hand fell away from my shoulder. We were left staring at each other, and for the first time in years, I felt at a loss as to what to do.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN: THE BOND

EMBER

Drake had swept us away in a cloud of his shadows, and we appeared a moment later inside his palace throne room. His assistant was standing by the throne. The male’s eyes brightened upon sighting Drake. “Your Majesty,” he said as he trotted up toward us. The royals have resumed arguing in the Great Hall, and they cannot be consoled.” He wrung his hands. “One of them nearly bit my head off at my intrusion! They are in desperate need of your attention.”

Drake sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. He turned to me. “Apparently, I am needed,” he said. Concern shadowed his gaze. “You can go up…to my quarters. I’ll…,” he swallowed. “Join you in a moment.”

I felt my mouth dry of all moisture. My throat closed off, and no words could escape. All I could do was simply nod. Drake seemed to settle for that, for he flashed me a weak smile and walked off, following his assistant, who chattered anxiously.

I waited a moment, alone in the throne room and lost in my thoughts.

I agreed to mate Drake. There’s no backing out now.

I licked my lips, my pulse thrumming at my temples. My inner wolf nudged at the confines of my mind, a reassuring gesture. But it did little to calm my unsettled soul. It was the only way the spell would work, so there was nothing else to do but agree. I knew how completing a mating bond works. Both parties had to be willing and could not be under any influence or coerced.

That’s why the mating bond didn't snap into place the night Drake, and I first made love.

I trudged out of the throne room on numb legs, my mind heavy, my thoughts fogged. I dragged myself up the stairs and slipped down the long corridor to Drake’s chambers. I passed the soldiers and guards that swept down the hall, female and male servants that hurried by to tend to their chores. The world around me was mute as I became lost in my thoughts, my movements instinctual as I turned the door handle.

I stepped inside the room and closed the door behind me. Flicking on the lights, my gaze immediately snapped to the large king-sized bed in the center of the room. My chest tightened, making it difficult for my lungs to expand. I dragged in oxygen.

Okay, Ember, you can do this…

My hands shook, and I fisted them to staunch the trembling. I was doing this for Melodina. Not for Drake. Never for him. All I had to give him tonight was my body, not my mind, and certainly not my heart. If I gave those to him, he’d just shred them like he’d done six years ago in the garden. I slammed my eyelids shut and shook my head, banishing the memories of Rosalana being in his arms, her arrogant smirk as if she’d won him—which she had…

My claws sliced out as I thought of that female’s hands on my baby.

“I’ll kill that bitch,” I growled to myself.

I made my way toward the bed and sat on it, marveling at the plush downy sheets beneath me. I folded my feet underneath myself and looked at the door. All that was left to do now was wait.

Drake didn’t make me wait long. He couldn’t have been gone for any more than thirty minutes when the door to his bedroom creaked open. Drake stepped inside the room and closed the door behind himself.

His gave roved over my body, the amethyst of his eyes darkening as he drank me in.

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