Page 41 of The Princess and the Demon

Her intake of breath is noticeable, and my eyes dart to hers.

She felt it too.

I regard her quietly, watching as she takes a few deep breaths. My heart thuds in my chest and I move to stand closer to her.

Elora looks up at me, her movements ceasing. I reach out, brushing a lock of hair out of her face, and her lips part.

I brush the back of a finger along her cheek, and when she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth again it sends a shudder through me.

“Amon!” I can hear a muffled voice calling for me and recognize it as Allocer’s instantly.

Panic rolls through me and I back away from Elora, looking towards the door. She hears it too, because she clears her throat and goes back to pulling the cheese apart.

Allocer pushes through the door a moment later. “Hells, Amon I’ve been looking for you everywhere-.”

I clear my throat loudly, cutting him off.

He pauses, looking from me to Elora. He frowns, and this his eyes widen slightly. When his eyes dart back to mine, I nod once curtly before holding out my hand towards her.

“Allocer, please meet Elora. Elora, my brother, Allocer.”

She steps from behind the table, dipping slightly to my brother. He shakes his reaction and walks over to her, taking her hand in his and placing a kiss against the back of it.

I fight the urge to growl at him touching her and lean against the wall instead.

“An absolute pleasure.” Allocer says, releasing Elora’s hand.

She blushes. “The pleasure is mine, I’m sure.” She begins pulling chunks of bread off the loaf and pauses.

“Would you like to join us for lunch?” she asks Allocer, gesturing to the food before her.

Allocer glances between Elora and I before shaking his head. “Thank you, but no. Unfortunately, this is urgent.” He turns back to me.

“Amon there’s a large horde to the East of Ferran, and I need your help.” I nod, pushing away from the wall.

“I apologize, Elora, I’ll have to leave you. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

She nods. “I understand.”

A few heartbeats span between us before I turn away from her.

Reluctantly, I follow my brother from the kitchen and down the corridor.

“You ready to explain yet?” Allocer asks once we get far enough away.

I don’t look at him but clench my fists at my sides. “Nope.”

Elora

I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding.

I listen as Amon’s and his brother’s footsteps fall into the distance, and slump over the table.

“What has gotten into you?” I whisper.

Popping a piece of cheese into my mouth I sigh, placing my elbows against the surface of the table. Amara walks through the door, startling. A hand flies to her chest, and she lets out a breath.

“Hells, Elora you scared the life out of me.”

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