Page 15 of Claimed by the Bastard Prince
“What did she do?”
“She left the palace, supposedly to go on a shopping trip, but she never returned. I tried to find her and soon discovered she had hopped a flight back to Heratima. Two days later, I saw a tabloid with the headlineSecrets of the Palace Revealed. A few days later,Bastard Prince Likes It Rough In Bed. The headlines kept coming for weeks, accompanied by pictures she must have taken when I wasn’t looking, including several pictures of me sleeping naked. If not for the pictures, it wouldn’t have been so bad, but it was difficult to deny the truth behind the stories, despite the exaggerations in some of them, when never-before-seen pictures were published. I learned she made millions of dollars off the stories.”
“I’m so sorry, Akeen. How long ago did this happen?”
“Three years.”
“That’s a long time to hold onto a silk robe,” she said, brushing her hand along the fabric.
He shrugged. “I didn’t realize I still had it. One of the servants must have washed it and put it away in a drawer I never look in.”
“Despite what she did to you, did you miss her?” She caressed the inside of his palm with her thumb.
“I suppose I did. Or at least, I missed what I’d thought we had together. Her betrayal blindsided me.” He shot her a perceptive look. “Greg cheated on you, so you left him. Despite his infidelity, did you miss him?”
She sighed. “Sometimes. Not enough to take him back though. My dad cheated on my mom during their entire marriage. I watched her pretend everything was okay when I knew she was hurt and falling apart inside. I couldn’t take that risk, even when part of me wanted to believe Greg when he swore it would never happen again. And now I find out he’s dead and was a criminal. Talk about a bullet dodged.”
“He didn’t deserve you, Cora.” He brushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She leaned into him as his fingers trailed down her neck and reveled in the burning wake of his touch. “Don’t ever settle.”
“Do you give all your prisoners advice about their love lives?”
“Only the very pretty ones.” He inspected the fading marks on her wrists from the handcuffs.
Though the redness had nearly disappeared, he bent down to kiss the circumference of each wrist, his lips warm and electric. Every time he placed another kiss upon her flesh, a jolt of awareness shot through her, and her insides coiled with tension. His hot breath wafted on her hands, and his wavy locks tickled her arms.
She bit her lip in an effort to restrain the moan building in her throat. Her pulse raced and her center throbbed with heat. She squirmed in the chair to alleviate her swelling arousal, but it didn’t help—her desire only escalated with the slight movement.
Maybe she should hate Akeen for arresting her and bringing her to the dungeon.
Maybe she should try to resist his advances.
But damn, she couldn’t force herself to dislike him even a little, let alone hate him.
Her body hummed at his nearness, and she couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to be fully claimed by him. He’d been a second away from thrusting into her when…
The sound of approaching footsteps startled her from her naughty thoughts.
Akeen released her hands and stood up, facing the door of the cell. One of the officers she recognized from earlier appeared in the dimness of the corridor.
“Commander Wornik.”
“I have news from the Royal Guard, sir.”
Cora’s heart commenced pounding and nerves curled in her stomach.
Please let him say I’m innocent. Please let me go free.
She held her breath, waiting.
“Is it sensitive information, or can you speak in front of Cora?” Akeen asked, his entire body tensing.
“It’s not sensitive intel, and I’m sure the news outlets will soon be broadcasting it anyway, as the Royal Guard is seeking the public’s help in finding certain persons of interest involved in this threat against the crown.” The officer glanced at Cora and then returned his gaze to Akeen. “Greg Keller’s lover, Maria Heshanoma is an Ermastistanian national who recently flew into Ismallia from America. She has relatives in Ta-Kona, many of whom were already suspected supporters of the king’s older brother. The Royal Guard found no evidence that Cora was involved in the plot against your father; however, we insist she remain in Ismallia for the time being, in case we must ask her additional questions about Greg Keller. If she leaves the palace, she must remain in your custody, sir.”
Cora felt a weight lift from her shoulders.
She smiled at Akeen and rose to her feet with his help. He gathered her close and gave her a tight hug, not caring that the commander was watching. Before he released her, he pressed his lips to her forehead, just as he had before leaving her alone in his bedroom.
“I will see that she remains in the palace, Commander. You are dismissed.” Once they were alone, he put his mouth to her ear and said, “Hm. Not allowed to leave the palace unless you’re in my custody. I think this means you are still my captive, Cora. Whatever shall I do with you?”
