Page 29 of Calling of the Crown

Unease suddenly bracketed the lines of his mouth. “After what you just tried, I’m afraid to ask.”

Grinning, I dropped my voice and skimmed my hand down his chest. “I can breathe underwater.”

This was something I’d learned when I’d first gotten my powers. It was technically the first ability that I had used when Jonah tried to drown me.

A heated look suddenly filled Rune’s eyes as he caught on to what I was suggesting, and his cock stirred between my legs. He tried to fight against the hunger rearing its head as he said, “We don’t know how long you can breathe under water. It could only be seconds.”

“So let’s find out together,” I said, slinking back and dipping lower into the bath.

His chest rose and fell, and the muscles in his shoulders and neck flexed as he fought to keep his composure. “Bria.” My name left his lips in a low, husky warning, and I practically came myself from the mere sound.

I placed my hands on his hard thighs and sank to my chin in the water. “Whether it’s a few seconds or a few minutes, if I run out of air, I’ll come back up. Scouts honor.”

His predatory smirk did things to the now-aching throb that took up residency between my thighs. “I’ll need more than a few seconds.”

I matched his heated smile. “How long do you need?”

He let out a growl at the challenge, and it sent excited shivers racing through my whole body.

“Let’s do it this way,” I said. “Whoever lasts longer wins. I’m excited to see the results from this experiment. Aren’t you?”

“Fine,” Rune agreed, draping his arms along the edge of the bath. “Hope you have some strong water lungs.”

God, so do I.

“In that case—” I slipped beneath the water and inhaled deeply, swallowing Rune’s delicious cock at the same time.

Oh yeah.

I really fucking hope I have more than a few seconds of this.

Chapter Fourteen

I COULDN’T STOP FIDGETING. I grabbed my blue-tipped curls and pulled them over my shoulder, then quickly tossed them back again, only to pull some over my shoulder once more. I constantly ran my hands over the front of my simple yet formal dress, smoothing away all the nonexistent wrinkles in the fabric. My palms felt extra clammy, and my body couldn’t decide if it wanted to break out in sweat or tremble with nervous jitters.

“Breathe,” Rune said, low enough for my ears only. “You’re going to be great.”

“I just want to make a good first impression. What if they don’t like me?”

“They’ll love you,” Rune argued. He gently took my hand and wove our fingers together before giving it a reassuring squeeze.

Today was a big deal. The first group of Water Fae were arriving, and I was determined to be there to greet them. I knew I wouldn’t be able to personally speak to each and every Water Fae, but I wanted to meet as many as possible. I wanted to learn the names and faces of my people and actually be there for them.

To look suitable for my first official duty as Princess, I’d been fitted in a glittery, long-sleeved silver dress that hugged my curves before flaring out in a lovely, flowing mess of silk at my waist. It was a garment Dallas had run back to the human world to get, because the royal tailor wasn’t here yet to make such dresses for me.

Dallas curled my hair before adorning my head with a small, silver tiara. Diamonds and sapphires littered its swirling branches, which peaked in the center with a larger, deeper blue sapphire gem.

Even Rune was dressed up in the Water Fae Official’s wardrobe—black slacks, a long-sleeved silver button-up, and an elaborate white and blue fitted tunic. Half of his long hair had been pulled back and tied with a blue ribbon, and when I’d first seen him in the outfit and sporting that half-up, half-down hairstyle, I’d nearly pulled us right back into the privacy of our room. I still couldn’t quite meet his eyes with him looking this way, because seeing him this handsome was doing things to me that were far too inappropriate when I was trying to focus on the task at hand.

Rune and I stood side by side on the shore of Morardia, facing the mainland where Water Fae would arrive before coming over to the island. Our team of guards flanked either side of us, both as a security measure but to also be at the ready to help any Water Fae who may need it. Dallas wanted to be by my side, but I’d sent her, Rance, and Imani across the sea to meet the Water Fae at the veil between Ambrolia and the human realm and guide them here safely. Dallas had left me in Jesiah’s very capable hands, plus my new best friend.

“They’re here.”

Speak of the devil.

General Angus Blackwood came up beside me and gestured across the sea at a group of moving specks emerging from the glittering veil.

Angus turned to me and said, “It’s probably time for everyone to take their places, Princess.”

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