Page 61 of Bound By Honey

It was Prince Finn who finally leaned in and captured Sage's lips in a passionate kiss, sending sparks of excitement flying throughout her body.

Prince Finn kissed her deeply, his lips exploring hers with a hunger that matched hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling him closer as her fingers tangled in his hair.

"I want to be with you," Prince Finn murmured, his voice low and husky. Sage nodded, a fierce desire burning in her own eyes.

"Yes," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I want that, too."

A Prince Before the King

Sageandtheothersarrived at the palace gates late at night, their cloaks billowing in the cool breeze and hoods covering their tired faces. As soon as the guards spotted them, they leaped into action, drawing their swords and demanding the unknown travelers explain their presence.

"Quickly, now!" one of the guards said. "What is your business here?"

"We have apprehended the crowned prince," Prince Finn declared, his voice echoing with authority while his gaze swept over the guards. "He stands accused of a heinous crime and will face justice before the king and queen." His words reverberated through the night, their weight heavy with inevitability.

The guards exchanged a glance, their faces grim. "Very well, Your Highness. Follow us, then."

They escorted them into the palace and down a long, winding hallway to the throne room. Sage's heart pounded as they marched forward. She held the dragonling in her arms with her cloak wrapped tightly around them. They entered the throne room to find the king and queen seated upon their thrones, looking down upon them in displeasure.

"Explain yourselves," the king said, his voice ringing through the hall.

Prince Finn stepped forward. "Father, we have apprehended Prince Owen for his crimes. He attempted to poison the surviving dragons. We present him to you now for judgment."

The queen's eyes narrowed. "The dragons are extinct. How could he have poisoned something long dead since my father's time?"

"I've brought a witness," Prince Finn said as he gestured to Sage.

"Your-Your Highnesses," Sage began, her voice trembling, "it … it is true. The crown prince came to me soon after his birthday ball; he forced me to make a poison for him."

She paused, her heart thundering. She could feel the weight of their stares and steeled herself. "He wanted me to make a poison capable of killing, but I changed the recipe at the last moment so that it would be harmless. I could not allow him to commit such an evil act. Especially without knowing who it was intended to be used on."

Prince Finn nodded. "I've been looking for the dragons for several years now. We followed the rumors of dragon sightings and eventually found them a few days ago. Unfortunately, we arrived too late to stop the crown prince from attempting his plan."

The king and queen exchanged a look before turning their attention back to Sage and Finn. "If what you say is true," the king said after clearing his throat, "then this is a grave matter indeed. Do you have proof of the dragons or poison?"

Sage slowly opened her cloak to reveal the dragonling, its bright amber eyes shining with a look of trust. It chirped at the king and queen before nuzzling its head into Sage's stomach.

"Your Highnesses," she began, "I have bonded with this dragonling after saving it from the crowned prince's attack."

The king and queen looked on in shock as Sage continued to explain what had happened. "None of the dragons were actually harmed. I changed the poison recipe to ensure that."

“Why did you do this?" the king asked, his voice low and dangerous.

"How dare you!" Prince Owen roared, his face burning. "I did it to protect this kingdom; the dragons had slaughtered fae before! They would have done the same again if I hadn't taken action! It was my duty as the future monarch!" He turned his raging eyes upon Sage. "And you! You gave me false poison, lying about its effects!"

Sage shied away from his fury but stood her ground. "Your Highness," she calmly said, "I could not allow such an evil act."

Prince Owen's blistering rage grew, and Sage could feel the dragonling growing more agitated. It puffed a little plume of smoke from its nostrils at the crowned prince before Sage hushed it.

The crowned prince scowled at Sage, his face red with rage.

"This has gone far enough!" Prince Finn interjected, stepping between them. You will not address her like that again."

Prince Owen's eyes widened in shock before he gritted his teeth and stepped back. He cast a sinister look toward her.

"Do you really think that you, a spare heir, can tell me, the crown prince, what to do?"

The king’s and queen’s expressions showed alarm as the two men squared off against each other. The power radiating from them was palpable, and it seemed the fight might erupt into violence at any moment.

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