Page 17 of Chased By the Fairy

Cypress pressed his lips together in a firm line. “And I’m guessing they have demanded that I lead this team?”

“Yes. Your parents have told me they want you to take your duties more seriously.”

He sighed.Of course, they did.Although Cypress acted with the dignified personality of a prince who never made a mistake within the court, he often tried his hardest to be anywhere but within the kingdom.

Couldn’t I have just had tonight?His eyes widened, and he spun around.Shit, Sorrel!

Sorrel didn’t know who he truly was, that he was the prince. This was not how he wanted him to find out. Cypress should have explained immediately.

He could only imagine what must have been going through Sorrel’s head for the last few minutes as he spoke to the royal guards.

The space behind him was busy with the main street of Pond Town, but empty of the person he’d been holding hands with only moments before. Where was the black-haired man with spellbinding blue eyes?

“Sorrel?” Cypress stepped forward, turning his head one way and then the other. “Sorrel?”

Fuck! He’s gone!Ignoring the guards, he ran forward, pushing people out of his way as he searched.Where is he?

His wings fluttered nervously behind him, threatening to lift him off his own feet and make him tumble.Did he run away?But that didn’t make sense to Cypress.I told him I’d take him home.Without Cypress, he wouldn’t be able to get there.

The frost…If Sorrel tried to walk back by himself, either a carnivorous animal would attack him, or the frost would kill him.

“Sorrel!” he bellowed and startled the sprites of Pond Town.

They backed away from him, ducking down with skittish fright.

“Prince Cypress, what’s the matter?” one of the royal guards rushed to ask, not used to seeing him so upset.

He was either calm or stern. He had to be – that was how he was raised to act. To present himself as though he didn’t have emotions or feelings and do whatever was expected of him.

That’s why I like him so damn much.Sorrel didn’t know who Cypress was, didn’t act proper with him, didn’t treat him like he was superior. Sorrel didn’t make him feel pushed into a corner of responsibility.

Sorrel had allowed him to be more himself in the last few hours than he had his entire life. And Cypress had known it too. He’d known while watching Sorrel from afar that he would make Cypress feel this way.

For three months, he’d watched, slowly growing obsessed and infatuated with his radiance.

He’d always known his carefree spirit would lighten the burden on his shoulders and the ever-present weight of responsibility.

And then... Sorrel had been ateasewith Cypress. The inexperienced man had allowed him to lead, had allowed him to touch, despite Cypress knowing it was absolutely too fast. When Sorrel had grabbed his head and yanked Cypress in for a second, even more passionate kiss, an inferno of lustful yearning had nearly disintegrated him.

He’d felt Sorrel’s erection pressing against his hip, and knowing it was for Cypress, not his crown nor for a promise for a place at his side once he was king, it had destroyed any resolve he’d had at holding back. Someone wanted him, just Cypress for who he was, and not what he would one day be. Then Sorrel had freely given his trust so wholeheartedly, clawing at Cypress formore with blunt nails, until they both came in Cypress’ shaking fist.

How could someone be both innocent and naughty at the same damn time? Commanding and strong, yet shy and blushing. The whole night had locked Cypress’ heart in a chest, with Sorrel’s name marking it.

So where had his obsession – who he was now utterly smitten with – gone?

Cypress searched the crowd once more, while snapping at the guards, “The man that was here with me, did any of you see where he went?”

“A man?” They looked at each other through the small slits in their helmets.

“Yes. He looks like a wingless flower fairy. Not a sprite.” He gestured to the space right beside himself. “He was with me when you all approached. You couldn’t have missed him.”

How could they? Sorrel was tall and beautiful, with such pretty, silky black hair. His personality was so big ithadto be hard to miss it shining from him.

“We don’t have time to look for someone,” Zahrya retorted with an impatient sigh. She palmed the hilt of her sword in agitation. “Your parents have given a decree. We must follow it, even you.”

Cypress stomped up to her and grabbed the vine strap of her armour, yanking her forward. “I don’t give a shit about the squirrel sprites. You will help me find him orelse.”

Zahrya put up her hands in surrender, but her eyes narrowed at him.

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