Chapter 12
Yalina
My visitor stumbles over a brief description of a far-off kingdom filled with strange animals and plants I have never heard of.
All the while I’m growing more and more confused.
When we have talked for a while before the whole throne room, it is finally time for a more private reception.
I lead Prince Noreth—Kaelun?—to the reception room hoping for an opportunity to ask him if he really is my street thief.
But the guards are on alert and do not leave my side. Master Solen hovers protectively.
I’m forced to try to subtly pry information from him, and he seems determinedly obtuse. “Tell me how you heard of Vathira,” I prompt, but he changes the subject.
“Why is it I have never heard of Emrakai before,” I try.
He reaches for an elegant glass tumbler and takes a long sip of water before answering—buying time to make up details? “It is far from here. And very different.”
“Oh? I’m fascinated. I have always longed to travel, but unfortunately I’ve never had a reason.”
He nods sagely. “I imagine you must have a lot to keep you busy here.”
“But you do not?”
The prince colors. “I have many brothers. They keep the kingdom running while I am gone.”
This is ridiculous. His tall servant stands over us, and from the doorway the guards watch. I’ll never be able to ask him here.
Just then, Master Solen, who is facing toward the doorway, jumps to his feet in surprise. “Your Highness, Prince Aurelion! Did you not find the royal pleasure barge to your liking?”
The dragon prince steps around Master Solen and surveys the room, his amber eyes flashing.
After brushing over Prince Noreth, they linger on his tall, fair-skinned servant for a long time before finally fixing on me.
“Light of the Sun, you are having a gathering and you didn’t even think to invite me. Should I be insulted?”
Noreth looks between us, confused. It seems everyone is waiting to see what my reaction will be. Even Master Solen is making faces at me from behind Aurelion’s back.
“Oh, but you have been having a lovely time…” I break off, fixing my gaze on Solen over his shoulder.
My spiritmaster mouths, “The pleasure barge.”
Silently I breathe a sigh of relief. “...touring the river… haven’t you? I did not wish to disturb you.”
“You could never disturb me, Light of the Sun.” He is standing there.
Well this is awkward. I cough. “Well, do join us.”
He smiles and drops onto the sofa beside me, giving me a wide grin.
Irked, I say, “Prince Noreth dropped in to bring me a little token of affection. It was very sweet of him.”
Aurelion quirks a brow. “Is that so? And does the solha like receiving pretty gifts? If that is the case, I have also brought something to give you. Something befitting my future wife.”
Noreth stiffens in his seat, and I can see Aurelion thinks he has the upper hand.
“Shall I have my servants fetch it now?”
I hold up my hand. “Ah, that must be a very pretty gift. But since we’ve made no promises, I cannot accept such a thing. Besides, grand gestures tend to be lost on me. While true respect never fails to catch my attention.”
His brows lift, and he dips his head as if to acknowledge a hit. “Lesson learned. It is my pleasure to learn the best ways to please you.”
Noreth seems to be lost for words. The tension in the room is palpable.
Thinking quickly, I beckon for a servant. “Perhaps you both would care to see a display from my falcons? And then I’m sure Master Solen can arrange some dancers or performers to entertain us. Prince Noreth, you must be tired from your long journey. Would you care to change first?”
He shifts uncomfortably. “Yes. That is, if you would be so kind as to…”
“I will have a guest suite prepared for you immediately. And since I must change also, I propose we all meet in the courtyard for a light refreshment when we are ready.”
The two princes nod.
Before anyone can argue, I stand and they stand too. I hurry from the room to change swiftly. For another plan has just occurred to me.
I dismiss the servant and make certain not to be seen as I slip from my rooms and hurry down the corridor to the guest suite. I only need a moment alone with Kaelun—if it truly is him—to ask him what he’s doing here and why he lied to me before.
If only he had told me the truth right away, I would not be saddled with Aurelion’s odious presence. As it is I will have to balance the two of them until I find a way to gently let the dragon prince down. I have to hope I do not cause an international incident.
There’s the sound of low, masculine whispering as I approach Prince Noreth’s door. I push it open boldly, hoping I am right and am not about to embarrass myself in front of a stranger.
As I enter he whips around, and though I glance around the room, I cannot see anyone else here.
How strange. I was certain he was talking to someone.
“Yalina! I mean, Light of the Sun.”
I step inside the room and close the door behind me. My heart is pounding in my chest as I move forward eagerly. “Prince Noreth, I hoped I would find you alone. I wanted a private word with you. ”
Something passes across his expression, but as quick as it appeared, it vanishes again. “Of course.”
I search his face, trying to find some recognition there now we are alone and he can see me properly. “You do not recognize me?”
He blinks. “Of course, Solha Yalina, we were just introduced.”
Frustrated, I step closer. This is the man I remember. Why won’t he acknowledge me? “But you do not know me, Kaelun?”
There’s a tic in his jaw, but his expression remains neutral. “I do not know who you think I am, but I’m afraid I must disappoint you. My name is Noreth. The prince of Emrakai.”
I shake my head. “No. I know you.”
“I promise you I—”
I cut him off, stepping closer still. My hands tremble, but I’m not wrong. I know I’m not. “Then tell me you do not remember how it felt to lie under me while I… rode your face.” I flush to say the crude words, but I must. I’ve dreamed of this moment. Of seeing him again.
He swallows. But he says nothing.
Desperately, I grasp his silken shirt and tug it from his belt. “Tell me I do not know exactly how to touch you like you touch yourself.”
My blood is heated now; it swirls in restless circuits flaring desire to life within me. A desire I haven’t felt since I was with him. The desire to touch and explore and take exactly what I want from him.
He steps back, but I follow, still pulling at his clothes, undressing him, pursuing. When his legs hit the mattress of the generous bed, He sinks into a seated position. I yank off his shirt and run my hands over the warm skin of his chest and shoulders.
Then I climb into his lap and kiss him, and our bodies seem to fuse together.
He groans into my kiss, and I devour him, nipping at his lips, tasting him, teasing at his mouth with my tongue until his hands wrap around my body.
It’s desperate. The passion I leashed when I thought I’d never see him again comes bursting forth, and I can’t contain it.
I thread my fingers through his hair. I grind in his lap until I feel the satisfying bulge of his cock through the thin fabric of his trousers.
When I lift my lips from his for air, he kisses along my neck, licking and sucking on my skin, making me gasp with delight. “It is you! Tell me the truth. You’re not a prince, are you?”
He stiffens under me. His lips pause their teasing play over my collarbone.
He lifts his head. “I am Prince Noreth of Emrakai,” he says woodenly, but he cannot quite meet my eye.
With a huff of frustration, I clamber off him, brushing down my skirts. “Then I must be mistaken. The man I want lives in a forgotten chamber above the temple.”
“Yalina, wait—” He reaches for me, but I step back.
“Perhaps I will accept Prince Aurelion after all. At least he is always honest with me about who he is and what he wants.”
Before he can call me back or tempt me to stay, I hurry from the room, shutting the door so quickly it slams. I may not like Aurelion’s domineering attitude, but even that is better than lies.
It is Kaelun; I know it. How could his kiss feel the same if it was not?
Yet he’s determined to lie to me. What game is he playing?