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“Then join me,” he insisted playfully.
Three little words had never sounded so . . .enticing. It was like the casting of a spell.
I nearly took a step forward, nearly pulled off my nightgown and let him gaze upon my naked flesh—I nearly joined him.
But . . . despite the strength of that intense pull, the one I had with Von was stronger.
“I can’t.”
If my refusal bothered him, he didn’t let on.
“Are you married?” he inquired, that grin only seeming to grow wider as he backed further into the embrace of the water. It was just over his navel, wetting the tips of his white hair, wetting his sleek, chiseled abdomen.
What a random question, I thought to myself.
“No, I’m not,” I answered with a hint of caution.
“Are you sure about that?” he chuckled, his rich laughter wrapping around me like a fur coat—tailored specially for me.
Mentally, I shook it off and shot him a funny look. “I’m quite sure.”
His brows raised slightly as if he were skeptical of my answer. “Are you betrothed then?”
“No.”
He chuckled again, the sound decadent. “Then you have no reason to refuseyourfuture king.”
Future king? That would make him . . .
The Golden Prince,the heir of Edenvale.
I took one sweeping look at him, adorned in all his splendor, and I was surprised I hadn’t realized it before.
How many times had I heard his illustrious title praised on the lips of the villagers back in Meristone? Too many to count, surely.
Every year, during midsummer, all of Edenvale held a week-long celebration for him, leading up to the summer solstice—the day of the year when the sun graced the sky for the longest period, and the night was at its shortest. This day was the day of the Golden Prince’s birth. It was already considered a sacred day because it was the same day as the creation of the sun—the same day that the Lord of Light had been born on. The people took it as a good omen that the Golden Prince was born on such a sacred day—that the gods were showing favor to him and his future reign.
Part of me felt an ounce of relief that I had figured out who he was, but when I reminded myself that he was theking’s son, and he wantedmeto take abathwithhim, my unease quickly returned.
“I think it’s best I leave.” I slid one foot back. Then another.
His lips thinned, a slight growl weaved into his royal voice when he said, “I do not permit it.”
Permit it? Prince or not, no onepermittedme to do anything—especially a man. I needed to leave before I told him as much.
I performed a quick, sloppy bow. “Enjoy your night, Your Royal Highness.”
Turning, I took a step forward and walked straight into a wall of stone.
Except it wasn’t a wall at all—it was awet, naked, prince.
I stumbled backwards, which was a huge mistake, because now I could see more of him—too much of him. Hooked by the perfect “V” of his lower torso, my gaze was directed to the weapon between his legs—great divine, it looked to be gifted by the gods.
And it was most definitely aroused.
I gasped, embarrassment chasing away the cool complexion of my cheeks. “How did you . . .” I stammered, rearing back, trying to understand how he could be in the pool one second, and behind me the next. Only Von could do that. Which meant—
“You can shadow walk!”
