Page 47 of The Princess and the Demon

I look up at him, smiling. “Thank you.” I can feel the burning threat of tears behind my eyes, but I swallow them down.

Nobody has ever made me feel this way. So accepted and worthy.

The fact that he gave me a chance to do something I hadn’t been able to do…

I lower my head, trying to fight the tears threatening to escape.

Amon steps closer to me, reaching out to place a finger against the underside of my chin.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, raising my chin to look down at me.

A tear escapes, and he frowns. “Did I do something wrong?”

I shake my head slowly, looking up at him. “No.” I whisper. Another tear escapes and he reaches his finger up to brush it away.

“Then why the tears?” He searches my eyes, his amber ones full of concern.

“Because you gave me a chance.” I hold the quiver to my middle, sniffling.

“You never told me I couldn’t. You never let me give up.”

Silence spans between us, but Amon doesn’t move away. Instead, he steps closer, and the air between us begins to feel charged.

He reaches out and brushes my hair over my shoulder, away from my neck. My sharp intake of breath as his claw brushes the sensitive flesh there doesn’t go unnoticed.

I don’t break his gaze, watching as his amber depths become molten, before his pupils expand, swallowing the amber completely. The sight should be off putting, it’s not.

My fingers tingle with the need to reach out and touch him, but I clench the strap of the quiver tighter.

“You always had it in you, Elora.”

Hearing him say my name sends a shiver through me, and I’m all but ready to jump into his arms.

He watches me closely, wrapping his hand around the back of my neck.

My eyes drop to his lips, and I instinctively pull my bottom lip between my teeth.

I don’t realize I’m holding my breath until he lowers himself to within an inch of my lips.

I look up at him, searching his eyes. I want him to kiss me. My lips tingle in anticipation of it.

His eyes search mine before they fall to my lips.

Do it.

I want to say it, I want to tell him it’s ok. But I’m frozen. Every fiber of my body is alive where his skin meets mine.

Another heartbeat spans between us before he releases me reluctantly and takes a step back.

Disappointment floods me, and my cheeks heat with embarrassment.

Amon clears his throat. “I have to leave for a while, but you will be safe here. I hope to be back in a couple of weeks.”

His words are husky, and all I can do is nod.

“Ok.” I squeak.

I watch as he turns, scooping up his bow and quiver before walking back towards the castle.

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