Page 24 of Shadows of the Crown

His lips twitch. “Careful.” He takes a deliberate step. Another. “Or I’ll start thinking you care about me.” Silver eyes dare me to deny it.

But he has a point…why did I step in between them? I could have easily stopped any assault they attempted, but I didn’t allow it to go that far.

“Let’s go.” His answering chuckle irks my patience.

One last corner and we’re finally upon the castle gates. I do not give the guards satisfaction by acknowledging their curious stares—let them talk. The prince can make his own choices, and if he is unconcerned with his name being associated to me…that is not my mess to handle.

I walk through the front archway, a bounce to my step. It’s as if my body knows how close we are to sleep and is just as desperate as I am. Turning right toward the guest wing, I do not concern myself with parting words for the prince.

If he needed someone to coddle him, he should have stalked one of the noble women instead.

But it’s not just my steps I hear. My head snaps to the prince, eyes widening when he continues to walk next to me. “What do you think you’re doing?”

He grimaces, scoffing at whatever his expectations were left wanting. “Walking you to your room.”

It’s my turn to scoff. “As if I need an escort?” A heavy gust of air blows from his mouth as he shakes his head.

“People can do nice things for others outside of predetermined obligations, you know. They can also want to spend time with others just for the sake of their company, and not because they’re scheming.

“Not everyone is a product of your world.”

A rebuttal sits on my tongue, though my traitorous lungs will not grant me enough air to say them. I tap a finger against my thigh as we stroll to my room in a comfortable silence.

Maybe his company is not so bad.

It’s unfortunate he will be dead soon—I may have enjoyed his friendship.

My shoulders drop when my door comes into view, and I mutter a goodbye to the prince before releasing my wards and turning the handle.

“What the fuck was that?”

I freeze. Never once have I failed to conceal my forbidden essence.

I half turn, contorting my features in a way that hopefully hides the blood-souring nausea wrecking my insides. “What was what?”

His eyes narrow, and he saunters forward, inspecting the door thoroughly. “How did you do that? Those were wards, were they not?” Observant prick.

“How could I possibly have wards, prince?” My hand drops from the cool metal, only to hover over another form of it on my thigh. “What are you suggesting?” The challenge in my tone is clear: say the words and see what happens.

His gaze skims over my face before landing on the collar. His fingers flutter as if he means to touch it, but holds himself back. Something gloomy passes through his eyes before he meets mine again.

He smiles, this one crooked and soft. “Keep your secrets, Ariella,” he whispers before spinning on his heel and disappearing into the shadows.

Chapter Thirteen

Ariella

What must be hundreds of people stand in silence as guards draw open the throne room doors. All eyes turn to our group, the excited atmosphere potent. Far down the path we are to walk, the king, queen, prince, and princess sit in their respective chairs, waiting stoically.

I slide a foot to begin the ridiculous journey through the room, to Aether with the dramatics of the salivating audience. I despise being made into a spectacle. I’m not two steps in before a palm latches itself to my chest with a force that means for me to halt. I look down slowly, debating how important it is that the fool who dared touch me keeps his hand.

“Slow down, wraith.” Jeth’s nasally voice overpowers the whispers. “Someone as hot as you should be walking next to me. We’re the best here, so it only makes sense.” I refuse to meet his arrogant eyes.

“Remove your hand.” I weave as much venom as possible into the words.

“Or what? Nothing wrong with a man testing out the goods of a woman before he fucks her. Plus, I don’t believe the shit theysay about you. You look harmless to me.” He chuckles, looking over his shoulder at his companions who follow suit.

“If you do not remove your hand, it will not be the only appendage you lose tonight.” My eyes flit to the prince’s white knuckles as he watches the encounter.

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