Page 207 of Captive of Secrets and Storms

“It’s fine,” I’m quick to say.

I don’t want to lose this moment—to lose the openness I sense from him.

“Like you said,” I add with a tight smile. “I made this choice.”

His hands land on my hips. “Now, it is I who doesn’t understand you.”

My blood warms.

“That’s funny. Because I’m an open book. Ask me anything. I won’t lie.”

“Hm.” He lifts an arm and wraps one of my loose curls around his finger, studying the strands. “Do you desire me?”

I suck in a breath. “What?”

Blue eyes lock on mine. “Do you desire me, Elara Stonebloom? The way I desire you?”

Gods…

I lick my lips. “You desire me?”

“I do.”

A bolt of lust strikes me in my core. I struggle not to let it take hold. Not like I did with our kiss.

“From my perspective, you’ve been courting another woman while we’ve been here.”

Iris’s triumphant and nasty glares flash across my mind.

Rian’s lips twitch. “Is that what you want? To be courted?”

“I…” My forehead furrows. I drop my hand from his face, but I don’t step away. “What?”

“Do you wish to court?” he asks casually. No teasing flickers in his gaze.

The light magic in my veins flutters, but my furrowed brow deepens.

“You can’t court me.”

“No?” He tucks the curl behind my ear.

“No,” I confirm with a firm shake of my head.

Not only is Rian Fae royalty, but he's tangled in some sort of political intrigue with Iris and her parents.

His lips twitch. “Care to share why?”

“Because you are the Shadow Prince, and I’m⁠—”

“Part Fae,” he interrupts. “And one with light magic that isn’t meant to exist.”

My throat tightens.

I choke out, “So?”

“So, we aren’t as incompatible as you think.” The hand resting on my waist draws me closer.

His head tilts, deep-blue eyes studying me. “What other objections do you have to giving in to this…need between us?”