“You know I’m okay with whatever consequences come, right?” He pulled me fully against his hard frame, and I felt howhardevery inch of him was. “If I’m banished from the Council, I’ll take it if it means I can be with you.”
Longing washed through me. “Yes, but I won’t allow anything bad to happen to you, even if you’ll accept it. I need to speak with my parents first, before we seal our bond.”
He sighed, the sound deep and resigned. “All right. I suppose waiting a few more days isn’t too much to ask.”
Lust pulsed through me as his husky words and his rugged beauty stopped my breath. I traced a finger along his cheek, loving how his rough stubble scraped against my skin. “Thank you for waiting.”
He nipped at my finger. “I’ll wait as long as you need me to, Princess.” His arm curled around me fully, and his lips met mine in a searing kiss.
I gasped into his mouth, and my fingers tangled in his hair. Our mouths danced, entwined,consumed. Kole’s grip tightened, his need surging around us, but as he’d promised, he didn’t push for more.
Breathless, I finally pulled back, and thatthingin my chest, the sensation I’d been feeling for weeks, pulsed and expanded, yearning once more.
My lips parted, and I brought a hand to my chest. Tears of happiness filled my eyes. “I’ve been feeling it all along too. Righthere.” I tapped my chest. “Around you, it’s as if something comes alive inside me. I just didn’t understand what it was until now.”
Kole stared at me as though I were the sun that he orbited. Carnal lust pulsed in his aura. It’d only grown stronger since we’d both acknowledged the bond, and I didn’t know how long we’d be able to hide our attraction from others. But I’d meant what I’d said. I wanted to speak with my parents and the Council first. I wouldn’t have Kole implicated for something that we were both responsible for.
“Can you sleep beside me tonight?” I whispered. “Like you did after the maze attack?”
He groaned, and a crestfallen expression descended over his face. “I want to, Princess. Fuck do I want to, but my replacement is waiting. Now that I’ve seen you back from the ball, questions will be raised if I don’t relinquish my post.” He paused. “Unless you’re okay with breaking all of the rules right now?”
His reminder that it was my choice now to wait had me shaking my head. “No, it’s fine. Go home and sleep. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He kissed me again, his lips lingering. “Goodnight, beautiful.”
My toes curled, and it was so tempting to throw caution to the wind and drag the warrior into my bed.Sotempting. “Goodnight, my heart.”
The morning sunhit my eyelids, and I stretched, inhaling deeply. Kole’s scent still hovered in my chambers. I’d smelled him all night even though he’d left to return home.
I knew I should get up and bathe before venturing to my uncle’s, and I should probably send a dillemsill to Loolee too, tosee if she’d heard from Master Fistideeous, but I couldn’t stop the smile from playing upon my lips and the lingering need to relish a moment longer in knowing what Kole and I were.
“Princess Primelle?” someone said from the corner in my chambers.
My head whipped in that direction so fast that my neck snapped. But instead of Kole standing there, it was Royden.
I bolted to a sitting position. “Royden? What are you doing here? Where’s Kole?”
“He’s unable to come today. I’m here in his stead.”
I shoved my tangled hair out of my eyes, and a bolt of panic raced through me. “What? Why? What’s happened?”
“Nothing for you to worry about.”
Before I could ask anything further, a knock came on my door. “Good morning, Primelle!” Betsee traipsed into the room. “Oh, wonderful, you’re already awake. We had a dillemsill arrive within the past hour, and I thought you may be itching to hear the news.”
I tried not to shake, and I tried to act normal, but when I greeted her, my smile wavered. Thoughts of Kole and what we’d shared last night reared in my mind. Perhaps the Council had found out. Perhaps him being my mate didn’t matter. Perhaps...
No, stop it. You’re panicking, and you don’t know what’s occurred. Act normal.
Forcing my smile to lift even higher, I asked Betsee, “Someone sent a dillemsill?”
“Yes, your uncle Arnel. He said his wards have been reworked, and you’re welcome at any time.” Betsee beamed. “I figured you’d want to get moving right away, so I’m here to help you get ready for the day.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
By the time I was bathed, dressed, and had eaten breakfast, it was already well past eight in the morning. There was still no sign of Kole. No word from the Council and nothing from my parents. And of course, Royden was a closed book.
I debated not going to my uncle’s estate and wondered if I should instead spend the day trying to figure out why Kole hadn’t returned, but as soon as that desire hit me, so did the reality thatnotgoing to Arnel’s and instead fretting over Kole’s whereabouts would only raise suspicions. Such a thing wouldn’t be done for her guard by a princess.
