18. Prince Cole
Chapter 18
Prince Cole
“Love is a great master.
It teaches us to be what we never were.”
– Molière
I t’s been another week with no sign of her power. There’s been nothing—not even a hint that her power is awakening—and my patience is wearing thin.
Now I’m sitting at this long, polished table, forced to join everyone for dinner. It’s the last place I want to be, but Rafe insisted it would be rude to keep ignoring them. He sees this gathering as some kind of bonding opportunity, but to me, it’s unbearable. I’m trapped in a room full of people, listening to the drone of their conversations, all while my mind races, trying to figure out what’s wrong—why nothing is happening.
But Rafe wouldn’t relent. So here I am at this godforsaken table, hands clenched in my lap, trying to focus on anything but the incessant noise around me.
Every clink of a glass, every scrape of a fork against a plate sends a fresh wave of irritation surging through me.
The smell of roasted meat and spices fills the air, but it does little to stir my appetite. My headache is getting worse by the minute, the dull throb growing into something more vicious.
I can’t remember the last time I sat down at a table with so many people talking and laughing. Suddenly, a hollow ache spreads through the center of my chest as I take them all in, noticing the ease with which they enjoy each other’s company.
I try to remember the last time I experienced that. I rack my brain, trying to come up with a single memory of letting my guard down and just being myself, but I come up blank.
Davina’s laughter rings out with such cheer that it gives my body a jolt and makes me feel like I’ve missed out on something important—like I should be the one making her laugh.
The realization stings, stirring emotions I’ve been trying to ignore. It’s unnerving how effortlessly she’s managed to get under my skin. I didn’t expect her to be intriguing or to have a pull on me, yet here I am, thinking about her more than I’d like to admit.
There’s something about her that demands attention, even when she’s not around. It’s as if she’s imprinted herself in the back of my mind, and I can’t seem to shake it off.
I keep telling myself that the only reason she’s consuming my thoughts is because she’s a puzzle I haven’t cracked yet. I’ve always been good at reading people and peeling back their layers, but with her, it’s different. She’s elusive, constantly slipping out of my grasp just when I think I’m starting to piece her together.
The fact that she’s a challenge makes her unbearably interesting.
“I know!” Davina’s voice snaps me out of my daze.
She’s still laughing, but she avoids looking at me.
It’s infuriating.
“If you’ll excuse me,” I say, my tone sharper than I intended.
Without another glance at the table, I head to my office.
Once the door clicks shut, I pour myself a glass of whiskey and take a sip, letting the liquid wash away my frustration.
Knock. Knock.
“Rafe,” I call out, exasperated. “I’m not?—”
The door opens, and it isn’t Rafe.
It’s her.
“Hi,” she says dryly, crossing her arms.
“Hi back.”
“Listen, you didn’t need to bring all those women, so if you’re mad at me?—”
“Please,” I interject, letting out a weary sigh. “I’m not mad. You haven’t done anything wrong by asking for something I can easily arrange.”
“You’re not mad at me?” she asks, clearly taken aback. “Then what’s the problem?”
I lean back in my chair, crossing my arms as I consider my response. “It’s just that I need some time to adjust to having them here, that’s all.”
She frowns before nodding with a hint of understanding.
“You know what’s fascinating?”
“No,” she replies, tilting her head. “Tell me.”
You — I find you fascinating.
It’s not just the women I need to adjust to—it’s her. It’s as if every part of her was crafted to enchant and haunt me all at once.
“How you can understand the simplest things, and still manage to be so utterly oblivious.”
She cocks a brow. “And I find it fascinating how you can talk so much without actually saying anything worthwhile.”
“Maybe I’m just saving all the worthwhile stuff and waiting for you to help me prove that I’m worth listening to.”
“So you’re hoping I’ll validate your existence? That’s quite a lot to ask. But don’t worry,” she adds, “I will. Just as soon as you say something worth my time.”
“Well, in that case, I guess I’ll have to make sure my next words are as captivating as you are. Can’t have you waiting too long, can I?”
“You really want to see my eyes roll, don’t you?”
“Oh, not at all. I’m trying to make sure your eyes stay focused on me.”
With that, she rolls those pretty eyes of hers. But suddenly, Davina’s face goes pale, her eyes widening as if she’s terrified.
“What’s wrong?” I ask and turn around, checking if she saw something behind me. There’s nothing. I glance back at her, finding her frozen in place. “What’s wrong? Are you—” The words die in my mouth, a wave of nausea sloshing through my gut as her eyes roll back and she collapses to the floor.
My heart drums in my ears, a cold, unfamiliar sensation creeping through me.
Fear.
I rush to her side and drop to my knees. “Hey, Davina,” I exclaim, placing a trembling palm under her head. “Hey, hey, hey, come on. Open your eyes. You can’t just pass out on my floor.”
She remains unresponsive.
“Davina, please.” My voice rises in desperation. “Can you hear me? Wake up.”
She doesn’t react.
Her silence is more deafening than any scream.
Blood begins to seep from her nose and eyes, and the sight drives me to the brink of madness. My pulse races as I lean down, my ear hovering over her mouth to check her breathing.
It’s shallow, barely there.
Gritting my teeth, I remind myself that being in a panic won’t help her. A faint prickling sensation tingles across my face, accompanied by an almost irresistible urge to smooth the path of my mark that begins just below my left eye. The feeling is subtle but persistent, like a low hum just beneath the surface of my skin.
“Rafe,” I call out. “I need your help, now!”
Footsteps approach quickly. “Did I just hear Your Royal Highness scream for— shit .” He looks down at us. “What happened? What the hell are we supposed to do?”
“I don’t know,” I admit. “But I’m not letting her die.”
Her body feels unnervingly limp in my arms, sending a fresh wave of dread through me.
Rafe kneels beside us, looking just as helpless as I feel. “We need to do something.”
I nod, my mind racing. Every second suddenly feels like an eternity as I hold her, willing her to fight.
“Hang on, Princess.”