Page 9 of Claimed By Prince Daddy

“Hey,” I told her. “What’s wrong?” I winced. I wanted to drop-kick myself. What the hell was I saying? To Rosalana, to my people, the world had gone belly up.

Rosalana shot forward, wrapping her arms around my narrowed waist and burying her face into my chest. “You idiot!” She cried, sobbing openly.

I swept my hand over her dark brown hair, the wavy mass flowing down her back like liquid. “I…know today has been rough..,” I cleared my throat and said. “But you have nothing to worry about.”

She whipped her head up, looking at me through eyes glinting with suspicion. “Are you sure about that?”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

Her fingers dug into my back like she meant to keep me with her by force. “I heard you. Though I was all the way up top, the commoner row as you know, I still heard you tell Queen Lunatha that you…” her lower lip trembled. “You pursued the werewolf princess.”

I fought back a wince.

Stars dammit…

“Tell me that isn’t true.”

I squeezed Rosalana’s shoulders, not quite finding the words to refute her.

Rosalana shook her head in disbelief. She shrank back, wrenching herself out of my hold. “Oh stars…you…you loveher.” She spat the words like Ember was an abomination. And yes, to our people—her kind was.

I shook my head fervently. “No, I don’t.”

Freaking Liar.

But I needed to say anything at this point to keep Rosalana with me. I couldn’t lose her and break my promise to Gallax. I was a male of my word, and I’d be damned if I broke it now.

Rosalana’s voice pitched, her eyes rounding in near hysterics. “You’re going to marry that female, aren’t you?” She sniffled, flashing an accusatory glare at me. “I thought I meantsomething to you. I thought what we had was deeper than any bond. Was it all a lie?”

I drew Rosalana into my arms. She writhed in my grip, kicking out—her foot connecting with my shin. But I held firm. I wouldn’t let go. I lost Gallax. I wouldn’t lose his sister. Though my insides clenched as if I was being ripped apart. My body craved Ember; my heart ached for her. Yet, my mind warred against the strong pull of my emotions, wanting to stay loyal to Rosalana.

Bowing my head, I buried my face in her hair.

Shit…

“I won’t marry her,” I told Rosalana. Those four words nearly shattered what was left of my soul. “I promise.”

“Are you certain?” Rosalana’s voice was timid and hesitant. She drew back from me just enough to look into my eyes. “The king seems like he insists upon it.”

“I know he does. But I’ll find a way not to go through with it.”

Rosalana ducked her chin in defeat.

“Hey,” I told her, hooking a finger under her chin and angling her head back to peer into her eyes. “I promised, didn’t I? You know how I am about keeping my word.”

She nodded after a moment’s pause. “I know.” She gave a small smile. “But I can’t say I’m completely relieved yet.”

I rubbed her shoulders and gave her a soft peck on her brow. “Feel better?” I asked, cocking a brow at her.

Her smile widened. “Much.”

“Good,” I said. I glanced at the clock on the nightstand. Sighing, I said, “The summit is about to resume. We’d better get back.”

Rosalana gave a shaky nod. I made to slip past her when she caught my hand. I glanced over my shoulder at her. She blinked back her tears in an attempt to appear brave for the hellhole we were about to face.

“Promise?”

I forced a grin that was too tight. “Promise.”

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