Page 77 of Scars and Burns

“And how do you feel, Princess?”

Sighing, “May I be honest with you?”

Naive of her. Asking if she can be honest with me. Very Trusting.So soon too, given my reputation.

I nod, “I would like nothing else.”

This couldn’t be more perfect. She’s willing to be honest and confide in me and I haven’t even begun to sway her.

“There’s nothing there. We’ve been betrothed since we were born, all our lives. And yet… I feel nothing for him. He’s kind, handsome, gracious, everything I could have wanted but he’s a stranger.”

“You did just meet today.”

“Dinalia, said I am an extraordinary Fae. I’m supposed to be blessed. Supposed to have a mate. I’m meant to feel this pull towards him. A longing. For our souls to co-exist and have matching Goddess marks. For him to complete my soul.” She doesn’t just tell me the truth. She vents to me.

She thinks she is blessed by our Goddess and Prince Proteus is her mate. What she knows of mates seems to be from Dinalia.

What does Dinalia know of mates?

Does she think I could be hers?

I step closer to her. I hover my hand over her shoulder before placing it down gently. “What makes you believe Proteus is your mate? Or is meant to be your mate?”

“Well, the alliance. The light of our Goddess’s full moon when the alliance was made and one we were both born under. Doesn’t that mean something?”

Being born under the light of the full moon does mean something but that doesn’t mean their souls are destined for one another. That simply means their fates are intertwined.

“Do you feel as if your soul is incomplete and you are destined for a mate?” I rub my thumb over her shoulder. A soft caress she doesn’t shy away from.

She looks up at me. Giving me a small laugh. Before saying, “Dinalia asked the same thing. But the truth is I don’t know. I’ve never felt asif I wasn’t whole but now I don’t know. Our souls are supposed to be in harmony with one another and I couldn’t feel more different.”

“I do not know if he is your mate or not. I cannot say whether the two of you are blessed by the Goddess. However, your sister is correct. Being born under the light of a full moon does mean something. I have heard much of you before coming here. Your beauty and kindness. Your pure heart. I see you now for what you are. A true Fae, blessed by our Goddess. Have no fear Princess. All will be revealed.”

Her eyes soften even more. Her body relaxes under my touch. Why she is allowing me to touch her only furthers her innocence. “I’ve heard much of you as well, Prince Aeron. Of your cruelty, ruthlessness, and bloodshed. Your actions now betray your reputation.”

She places her hand on mine. Removing it from her should. Holding it in her own hands. “Thank you for your kind words.” She lets my hand go and begins to walk inside.

I watch her leave. Letting my eyes linger on her. She pauses and begins to turn. I rearrange my face just in time to plaster a longing look on it. She smiles and heads inside.

Aemond appears in the entryway just as she is turning the corner. Walking towards me, “I was coming to check on you after your dance with Lady Dinalia only to see you speaking with Princess Saphrina.”

I hum at him.

“So, how did it go?”

“Which one?”

He laughs, “Well I am curious about both but let’s start with the most pressing. Princess Saphrina.”

Hardly.

“She is naive. Asked if she could be honest with me.”

He gawks, “She openly asked if she could speak truths to you.”

“Mmmm, yes. She is hesitant in her marriage to Prince Proteus. Believes she is still blessed by the Goddess and should have a mate.Thinking Prince Proteus was meant to be that she is questioning everything. Evidently, there is no pull. No desire for him.”

“She believes herself to be extraordinary enough for a mate?”

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