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I put my hands to my cheeks, trying to cool them off.
A few minutes later, when Stellan comes out of his room—fully dressed—I’m pretty sure my cheeks are still crimson. He makes a beeline toward me, once again enveloping me in his embrace.
“You’re adorable.” He rests his chin against the top of my head.
“And you’re mischievous.”
He chuckles and pulls back to look at me. “I have to go. My father is walking down the hallway now, probably coming to see what’s taking so long.”
My eyes widen. “What are you going to tell him?”
“That my wife couldn’t keep her hands off of me.” He begins to walk toward the door.
I blink, unsure if he’s being serious or not. It’s hard to tell. “Stellan, you… I mean… you wouldn’t. Right?”
He only laughs his response.
“Stellan,” I say again, hoping he will say something to reassure me. I donotwant him saying that to the king of the dragons.
“Don’t worry. I’m the one who can’t keep my hands off of you.” He smirks. “Goodbye, wife.”
“Yeah, yeah. Bye.”
He opens the door, stepping outside just as his father arrives. He shuts the door quickly, but not before I lock eyes with King Basilicus. I swallow hard once the door is shut.
12
Protection
Wisteria
“Why was my dad annoyed this morning, while Stellan looked awfully smug?” Evander asks as he swims up beside me.
I sit on the side of the pool with my feet dipped into the water, reading a book. I hold the book higher, trying to cover my face from Evander. Just thinking about this morning with Stellan has my blush coming back with full force.
“I, uh, don’t know why your father looked annoyed,” I say, unable to tell a lie. I can’t even lie to myself. IknowStellan looked smug because of my reaction to him this morning.
Evander’s grin widens. “But you know why Stellan looked smug.”
“I… I…” I try to come up with something to say, but my words are cut off as I’m unable to tell a lie.
He chuckles, his eyes lighting up in a way that reminds me of Stellan. “I shouldn’t be surprised that Stellan warmed up to you so fast, but I am. I really thought he’dlast longer than a few days since he was so against this marriage alliance. He’s pretty stubborn. You’ll figure that out quickly, I’m sure.”
“I don’t know that I’d say he’s warmed up to me.” Still, my throat closes up when I remember how it felt to have Stellan’s arms around me. I can’t believe I embraced him while he was wearing a freaking towel. What was I thinking? How will I ever face him again without blushing?
Evander pushes himself out of the pool, sitting in a wet puddle beside me. I feel some of the water run off from him and soak my dress beneath me. I shoot him a glare and he grins back.
“Sorry,” he says, though he doesn’t look sorry at all.
I groan. “You’re so much like Stellan.”
“Me?” He puts a hand on his chest. “I’m nothing like my older brother. He’s stuffy. Austere. And I’m pretty much the opposite.”
“I meant mischievous,” I say, though I ponder his words. I’d never use the words stuffy, or austere to describe Stellan. Though I do understand how he could come off that way to others. It’s his duty, as crown prince, to be seen a certain way. I, of all people, understand. I’m just glad he feels comfortable enough around me to drop the princely act. But it makes me wonder—does he not drop the act around his younger brother?
“What are you reading?” Evander leans over me, dripping more water on me, to look at the front of my book. “Rescued by the Dragon Knight.” He narrows his eyes. “You know dragon shifters don’t have knights, right?”
I let out an exasperated sigh. “It’sfiction—it doesn’t have to match reality perfectly.”
