Page 42 of The Desert Prince's Jewel
I can slit his throat; I can give him the fate he deserves. But then, a thought crosses my mind as I hold the stone in my palm.
Sometimes it hurts more to be proven right than to be proven wrong.
He expects me to kill him, to die some delusional, honorable death. So, I deny him. This will be my revenge, for him to live with the knowledge that his enemy spared him. After all, he’s always competed with his delusions rather than flesh and blood.
“What are you doing? Hey! Hey! Stop right there. Pierce my heart, you fucking rotten bastard! Don’t leave me here! Don’t let filthy humans imprison me,” Jaideep whines like the little brat he is, as red and blue police sirens flood the hall.
Now I understand my father, clear-eyed despite the smattering of blood coating my hands, chest, and tail. He didn’t spare Jaideep's father at all. After all, rumors have swirled for years that the pardon drove him mad. Luxury without royal power was a prison for elitist like them.
I smile, suck in a long, deep breath, and thank the Gods that my quest is finally over. But my journey is far from over. Finally, I must find my mate, Mateo, and tell him my mission isn’t over.
Jaideep screams his head off as I slip out the way I came in, racing through the back alleyway. I still haven’t won Mateo’s heart completely just yet. I have no time to waste on this fool.
CHAPTER TWENTY
MATEO
I’m a nervous wreck inside the getaway car, alternating between tearing my hair out and banging my head against the steering wheel. Kunal and Rohan are posted outside, and we’re all hidden in the shadow of another warehouse, as police lights and sirens take over the narrow street corner.
“Damn it!” I shout as Cy sobs beside me.
I shouldn’t have run off like that. I guess I was dragged away, but the point still stands! I should’ve stayed and tried to fight! And then I think about the fact that Jaideep and Ranbir had giant ass swords and were spinning through the air like acrobats. All I would’ve done is gotten myself killed, and Ranbir locked up in jail.
“Don’t worry. I’m swearing off bad-boy dick for the rest of my life. It isn’t worth the trouble!” Cy sobs, and despite everything, I believe him.
I rev the engine, hoping against reason Ranbir will make it out before the cops come. And then, I hear music in the sound of a booming hiss.
“MATEO!” Ranbir shouts, as I spot him running on human legs through the rearview mirror.
Relief washes over me like a tidal wave as I jump out and hug him. I turn to Cy, only to see that he’s disappeared, and I’m left alone by the time my prince reaches me.
Guess he decided he didn’t want a taste of Ranbir’s misplaced rage, and how could I blame him? I just hope Cy calls me and doesn’t go dance and drink his problems away. I may need to convince Ranbir to let him stay with us for a while, which is a battle for another day.
Ranbir sweeps me up like I’m the prince, holding me close, tucking my head under his chin. I’m too weary to even be embarrassed as he takes me away without another word and gets into the back of the truck. Rohan takes the well, and Kunal keeps watch as we drive away. I can only pray Ranbir’s wealth can keep any of us for going to jail.
“He’s not dead. He will face a fate worse than death for an arrogant bastard like him, along with the crime of bewitching my mate,” Ranbir states and I just nod into his chest.
Ranbir strokes my cheek with the same reverence that he beholds his family’s jewel, tucked into his lower set of arms. Four arms and two legs is a little weird, but less weird and suffocating than his tail filling up the back seat.
When we’re back at the hotel, it’s a rush to get back in bed. Layla tries to stop us along the way, but Rohan and Kunal fall back to distract her. Once inside our hotel room, our bodies are magnets, our clothes shed, along with tears.
I found the jewel. He stopped the mastermind. We restored our honor, or whatever. And like some foolish peasant in a fairy tale, I hope the prince will grant my wish now that this is all over.
“What?” he asks, bushy brows furrowing in confusion.
I pucker my lips, stroking his silky chest to keep myself from laughing.
“What do you want, Mateo?” he growls, his voice dipping lower as a masculine groan escapes his quivering lips. “Say it.”
I stroke the slit, the pocket holding back my prize, and whisper, “You.”
I’m too much of a coward to add that I want you to stay, but I hope every fiber of my being communicates to him how much I want him to stay. Maybe it’s stupid of me, desperate, and needy. But Ranbir makes me all that and much more, like a pile of clay in his presence. And I’ve been remolded by his hands, his touch, even that fucking sneer he levels at me once again.
“Come,” he whispers against my ear as he guides me onto my stomach. “I want to mark you to remove that stain on your neck.”
“Yeah, I hope I’m doing much of that tonight,” I say, face down ass up with a grin.
Oh shit. I think I said that out loud.
