Page 33 of Dark Reign

“So, have things been a lot different now that you’ve made your announcement? About accepting your birthright like the others?” I clarified, glancing at him only to make sure I had his attention.

That was a mistake—Idefinitelyhad it.

He nodded before I turned again. “There have been a handful of cameras pointed in my face since the day I was born, there are now twice as many,” he sighed.

I imagined that to be true for him andallthe princes. The emperors’ collective decision to commence with producing heirs two decades ago—give or take a couple years—had been the focus of the media from the start and had held their attention ever since.

In a way, Julian’s birth paralleled that of human children. His, like theirs, had only come to be out of convenience. Human children were produced to keep up with the Ianite’s need for blood, while the princeswere conceived out of necessity, because their political system said it should be so.

“Is the unwanted attention what took you so long to choose this path?” I asked when I broke free from my thoughts.

Those broad shoulders of his lifted with a shrug. “Maybe in part.”

“Why else?” I asked, surprised by how easily the question flew from my mouth. The pretentiousness and vanity I expected from him were nowhere in sight.

“There are a few charities I’ve invested in, and I hoped to get a bit more hands on. Now, I’m not sure that will be possible,” he shared.

Charities … I wouldn’t have guessed that about him.

“So, to answer your question,” he went on, “I honestly haven’t noticed much of a change yet, because I mostly keep to myself—aside from Levi, Silas, and Roman, that is. I suppose you and I are alike in that neither of us venture outdoors much.”

“That’ll change for you, though, right? I’m sure you’ll all be doing quite a bit of travel in the coming months.”

It took him a moment to answer and I wondered why that was. Turning to gauge his expression might have told me more, but I wasn’t willing to risk it.

“We’ll be expected to schmooze foreign leaders, get them accustomed to seeing our faces instead of our fathers’, but I, personally, hope to keep social events to a minimum if possible,” he shared. “In a way, I suppose I’ve gotten to be a bit … selfish with my time. Too many years of deciding for myself how to spend it,” he added with a smile.

“Interesting … A prince adored by the public, avoids them every chance he gets.”

In my peripheral vision, I caught the glint of white teeth when he smiled.

“Will that be the headline for your next article?”

My mouth curved up despite my best efforts to stop it. “I suppose if I had any interest in writing about you, it could be.”

“Ouch.” He chuffed a short laugh as his hands left the banister and slipped inside his pockets.

“I meant what I said about my being here having nothing to do with you,” I reminded him. “Your Highness,” I added coyly, hearing the flirty undertones I hadn’t meant to let slip.

A breath hitched in my throat when he turned, facing me fully. I refused to do the same.

“Is it bad I wish that weren’t true? That I wish youhadcome here for me?”

The question left me speechless. To keep from letting him see how he affected me, I tried distracting myself by naming the different flowers I could spot from there.

Hydrangeas.

Lilacs.

“I’m not usually so forward, but … you’re beautiful in this light, with the moon high and clear,” he stated boldly. “Although, I imagine I’d say the same even if we were standing in a storm.”

Roses.

Lilies.

I was suddenly aware of soft music floating tothisterrace through the open doors of the one below, from the gala where Julian had just whisked me away. His formidable body moved closer and I stared when a hand was extended toward me.

“May I have this dance?”

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