“Not once?”
“Not once.”
“Then why did Michas accuse you of such?”
A low growl rumbled in his chest. “Because Michas Crimsonale is a conniving bastard who would sooner see me gutted than be heir to the throne.”
My eyes widened.
The prince shook his head. “Michas and I have a bit of a history. He cuts down my integrity every chance he gets.”
“So, you’re not lying? You never came back to the castle, not even once, in the month you were gone?”
His eyes softened. “No, Ilara. I’m not lying to you. I never returned in that time.”
Some of the swirling worry in my gut subsided. But Blessed Mother, Prince Norivun seemed honest too. Either that or my gut instincts were completely off. Rubbing my temples, I shook my head. I didn’t know what to believe or who was lying, but perhaps it truly was as the prince claimed—that Michas worked to undermine the crown prince every chance he got. I supposed it was fitting and went hand in hand with what I’d experienced tonight.
Crossing my arms, I changed the subject. “You know, it was quite offensive how you and the king spoke of me.”
“You’re angry with me.” He raked a hand through his hair. “I thought you were, and I know I spoke aloofly and how it must have seemed to you, but . . .” He tore a hand through his hair again. “Please believe me when I say that things are not as they seem.”
“If they’re not as they seem, then how are they?”
Warring emotions played across his features. “It’s important that my father doesn’t know what you are to me. It’s important that I act a certain way around you when he’s near.”
“What does that even mean?”
He closed the distance between us. “You ask too many questions.”
My entire body locked up when his head lowered. He placed a hand on either side of me, each palm gripping the balcony behind me, and the strength of his aura pounded through me, imprisoning me within its power.
He leaned down, and his nose brushed against my neck. A searing fire coated my skin when he whispered, “How about I tell you something else? I don’t like it when you run from me, and I don’t like it when I find you in another male’s company, especially when you’re wearing his clothes.”
My insides fluttered. Blessed Mother, my entire body felt as though it was coming alive. His lips were nearly pressing to my throat.
“That’s very . . . possessive sounding.”
He growled low in his chest. “You have no idea.”
And strangely, I had a feeling I didn’t. It suddenly felt as though I didn’t understand anything. Not him. Not this court. Not even my own feelings. Because I wanted him to kiss me. Touch me. Hold me. That in itself verified that I’d lost my mind, because he was still the male who’d destroyed everything I held dear. So how could I want those things?
He shifted closer and brushed against me. My nipples peaked at the contact, and a satisfied purr came from his throat.
His mouth was moving closer to mine. Closer. Closer, with every shallow breath I took.
He inhaled slowly, as though savoring something, and then his lips pressed to mine.
My gasp was trapped in his mouth, but his lips were moving, slowly at first but then with demanding purpose.
A moan escaped me, and my entire body zinged in awareness. My arms wrapped around his neck. I was kissing him in return as his hands gripped my hips and wrenched me closer.
Blessed Mother.
Heat flooded my core as the prince ravaged my mouth. He tasted of sin and snow, spice and fire, and I’d never tasted anything so sweet, so addictive.
I moaned as my fingers tangled through his hair as he hoisted me up on the balcony. He spread my thighs, my gown lifting as his hard body stepped between my legs.
His rigid length found my entrance immediately, even though my underthings and his pants still prevented true contact. But it was enough for me to feel all of him. He pressed his cock right against my most intimate area. And Mother Below, he was so stiff. So thick.
My core flooded with moisture—already I was primed for him. I wanted him and was willing to acquiesce to whatever he demanded.
I moaned and rubbed against him, needing more. More.
His hand traveled up my back to cup my neck. I instinctively arched into him.
“Fuck, Ilara,” he breathed.
He deepened his kiss while his other hand roamed everywhere . . . over my spine, along my thigh, up my breast. He briefly cupped my heated flesh as he tweaked my nipple through the thin gown.
I cried out in his mouth.
Breaking the kiss, his lips traveled across my jaw and down my throat while his hands held me, owning me.
With each path his lips and hands traveled, his aura grew denser, more potent, and then the air was kissing my skin, sliding over my scorched flesh, stroking me in the most tantalizing ways, and Mother, I was on fire. I had no idea his affinity could do that.
He dragged his mouth back to mine and then hooked my leg around his waist. His cock was right at my entrance again. All it would take was the swipe of my underthings to the side and the loosening of his pants, and that thick girth would be plunging inside me.
“My, oh my, brother. You certainly didn’t waste any time.”
Nuwin’s snickering comment had the glassy fog shattering all around me. I gasped, pulling away from the crown prince just as a terrifying snarl ripped from his throat.
Prince Norivun released my leg and shielded my body with his in the same beat. “Get the fuck out of here, Nuwin.”
“Trust me, I wish I could, but I’m afraid the time has come. Father is asking for you.”
Norivun seethed. “Not now. Not yet.”
His furious response was enough to clear my head, to cut through my lust, and . . .
What in the realm am I doing?
I hastily pushed against him and slid off the balcony, straightening my attire and hoping my hair wasn’t a mess, but the prince refused to release his grip on me.
His cock pressed into my abdomen, and he was still very much ready. He continued scowling at his brother, but Nuwin only raised his hands in apology.
“Father’s asking. I figured it would be better if I found you versus him.”
Norivun’s wings extended slightly, shielding me completely from view as I straightened my gown more.
Mother Below, I’d nearly fucked the crown prince—the very male who’d murdered my family.
My cheeks burned in humiliation.
“Ilara?” The prince looked down at me again. My mind was such a jumbling mess. “Lara,” he said so quietly that I almost didn’t hear him. “I have to—”
“Here he is. I knew he was still out here.” Michas appeared behind Nuwin, and his eyes widened when he saw how closely the prince and I stood. “Ock, did we interrupt something?”
“No,” Nuwin said quickly, too quickly. Michas retrieved his jacket from the ground as Nuwin forced a bright smile. “The crown prince was just about to head inside. Weren’t you, brother?”
The prince stiffened.
“Shall I escort Lady Seary?” Michas offered.
“No,” the prince growled, and his aura pounded out of him.
“You intend to have her at your side while . . .” Michas let his words hang, his eyebrows rising.