Page 78 of Somber Prince

“I love spending time with you too.” It came out flat, compared to the passion of his confession. But he’d be leaving soon to go about his nightly duties of a prince. And I was facing many hours alone once again.

I sat up on the swing and tugged my robe back up my shoulders and over my chest, which was left exposed in the torn sleeping gown. My underwear had been lost to the sand on the patio floor, so I just smoothed my skirts down.

He sat next to me on the swing, not retrieving his tendrils even as my post-orgasmic glow had faded.

“Tell me, what can I do to stop the sadness from taking over you again?”

I met his eyes straight on. “Let me see my friends.”

He didn’t look pleased by my request. “All seventeen of them?”

“At least two. My best friend and my sister. They are the closest I have to a family now. You can’t keep us apart like that.”

I made my voice firm and my glare hard. But he would also feel the desperation and loneliness inside me.

He heaved a long breath, fighting his own inner battle.

“I won’t allow your return to the sarai. I need to have you close. However, I will let your friend and your sister come for a visit.”

“When?” I perked up with excitement.

“Tomorrow. They can join you for the midnight meal after Alzali and her people have left Teneris.”

Chapter Nineteen

DAWN

The following evening was dragging torturously slow as I waited for Princess Alzali to leave and take her people with her. So that Rha would finally feel safe enough to let anyone enter the sacred golden bedroom with his most precious “treasure,” aka plain old me.

It was ridiculous how much he fussed over me. I absolutely believed him when he’d said he wished he could put me in a locket to wear around his neck. There were moments when his adoration was flattering. But often, such an obsession felt restrictive and even smothering.

When the intricate sand clock in my bedroom finally indicated midnight, I felt too excited to stay still. Leaving my bedroom, I hurried out into the main cave and ran into Elaine and Melanie descending the stairs. Several guards escorted them, including Prince Rha himself.

“Dawn!” Elaine jogged down the stairs and straight into my hug.

“Oh, it’s so good to see you.” I hugged her tightly, my fingers sinking into the soft knit of her ever-present sweater.

Over Elaine’s shoulder, I met Melanie’s curious eyes.

“Not bad.” She whistled, giving the cave an assessing look. “I can see why you don’t want to come to the sarai anymore.”

I released Elaine from my hug. “I’m not here by choice.”

Elaine turned to Rha, but he held her gaze stoically, the same way he met Melanie’s glare. Clearly, he was not going to apologize to my friend or sister for keeping me all to himself.

“Are you staying for lunch?” Melanie asked him with a snark.

Instead of replying to her, he turned to me. “Do you need me to stay, Dawn?”

“No. We’re good,” I said quickly. There was no need for his presence or for the tension it generated with my friends.

“Then I will not.” He gave my guests a brief nod. “Enjoy your meal, ladies. The Keepers will take care of you.”

I spotted a familiar face in the small group of servants behind Rha.

“Sigid? It’s so nice to see you again. How have you been?”

The Keeper bowed his head. “I’ve been well, Dawn.”

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