Page 70 of Shadows of the Crown

“I—I’m Jessenia,” she stammers, her voice quivering slightly. Angel, she would not live a day outside of these castle walls. I pointedly glance at her arm wrapping around Caspian’s. She takes the hint, pushing from him quickly as if he’s some parasite—good girl.

“I assume you know my name already?” She nods, her nostrils flaring; she’s trying hard to hide her fear.

I step forward, causing her to back away. Two more steps have her pressed against a table, her chest rising and falling quickly. There’s a light sheen of sweat beginning to coat her appealing skin. I continue my advance until the front of my body lightly presses against hers and lift my hand to brush it along her cheek. She shivers, and I smirk—that did not feel like a tremble caused by anxiety.

I meet her wary eyes, curiosity and a glimmer of want flick through her sapphire irises. Interesting. “Well, Jessenia…” My hands spread to grab the edge of the table, leaning forward until I cage her in. A prisoner of my own. Our lips are a heartbeat away, though she does not pull back. “How would you like to be…friends?” She hesitates for a moment but nods; her breath coats my skin, the sweet and fruity scent tantalizing my nerves—I want to know what she tastes like.

“I would like that, too.” I move my lips to press a kiss just under her jaw, testing how far she’s willing to take this. She stiffens, but tilts her head slightly. Whether she realizes her body is arching into mine remains a mystery, though I have a feeling she’s never experienced what it’s like to have the focus on her.

Men have a way of ignoring all of a woman’s needs, especially when they’re given everything they want either way.

“You see, Jessenia—” Another kiss, to her neck this time. “I treat my friends well. But the thing is,” her pulse flutters wildly against her throat, and I smile at her reaction to such simple touches, “you do not wish to know what it’s like to not be my friend.” I sweep my lips over her ear and whisper, “And if I ever see you near him again, you’ll find out.”

I lean back to hover her lips again. My stomach flutters as I cup her cheek, dread sweeping over her features before she nods. Her eyes flit to my lips before looking back up to me. She’s definitely wondering if I could make her feel better than any fool she’s ever been with.

I can.

My thumb swipes over her soft skin, and I smirk—I’d be caught dead by the Angel before admitting that I quite like her.

I press our mouths together, allowing her the freedom to pull away if she wishes. She doesn’t. Her hand snaps to my elbow as her heart races against my breast. She’s cautious—but curious—so I deepen the kiss and take all of her into me. She tastesof berries and warm days, and I nearly groan into her. My free hand traces her hip before grabbing her waist and pulling her closer. She’s so eager to take everything I’m giving, holding onto me as if she never wants to let go. She’s sighing into my mouth and arching in a way that molds her entire body to mine—and I am drinking in every moment of it.

Fuck Caspian, I want her.

No, I can’t. I grip her hair, tugging her back just enough that the slick of our lips just barely touches. “Do we understand each other?” I murmur over her puffy skin. She nods again, and I chuckle at her inability to speak.

My features darken as I free her and step back—a simple reminder of who I am, and what will happen if she doesn’t listen. “Now leave.” She presses a hand to her chest, breathing deeply before scurrying away. She weaves around the prince as if he were a curse, not even bothering to look him in the eye as she goes.

I face Caspian fully, who leans against the wall with an eyebrow raised, smirking at me. “I never took you for the jealous type, angel.” His amusement floods the space between us.

“Jealous?” I close the distance to him. “No…Jessenia and I just came to an understanding, is all.”

“Is that so?” The smile he’s attempting to hide tells me he doesn’t believe a word I’m saying. He shouldn’t.

“Yes. You and I have plans—she was in the way.” I’m directly in front of him now, and I know he sees the heat in my gazebecause his eyes narrow as his teeth graze their bottom lip. I snatch his hand and lead him down the hall toward his room.

“I must admit…what you did back there?” He laughs, taking a dramatic breath before sighing deeply. “That was hot as fuck.” It’s a struggle to hold in my smile, not answering him as I continue leading us through the castle.

Once we reach his room, I open the door and pull him inside, spinning to glare at the guard who is always there. As sweetly as I can manage… “Oh, Gavriel?” He narrows his eyes at me, knowing that whatever I’m about to say is going to piss him off. “If you don’t want to hear your prince being thoroughly fucked, I’d cover your ears.” I tap one of mine in point and wink before slamming the door shut.

Turning around, Caspian is watching me with bright, wide eyes. “You are inconceivable on the worst of days…but today? Fuck, I’m about to slit my own throat for daring to be in your presence.”

He somehow never ceases to surprise me with the things he says. But I’m nearly bursting with too many emotions, my stomach churning wildly. I do not wish to deal with them right now. “I was being serious to Gavriel. If you don’t want this, tell me right now so I can go find someone else to fuck. I’ve no time for games.” All lies.

He must see the desperation in my eyes, because his gaze darkens as he steps forward.

“You’redelusionalif you think I’ll let another man touch you,” he spits, grabbing my neck tightly and holding me in place. “Unless you wanted to go play with Jessenia? I may be convinced to allow that, as long as I can join.” The humor in his voice shoots heat through my body. I snarl and grab his throat, shoving him roughly into the wall.

“You. Will. Not.” He bites his lip, smiling.

Fuck, I fell right into his trap.

“I knew you were jealous.” He presses into my grip to kiss me, my body immediately relaxing. When he pulls back, his features harden, serious once more as his astute eyes search mine. “What do you need, Ariella?”

All of my walls drop, and it’s no longer the assassin and the prince in this room—it’s just me and him. Two souls with opposite lives and the same goal.

Every instinct in my mind tugs me away from him, afraid to show anything that isn’t the cruel, emotionless mask I’m so comfortable in.

“I need to forget,” I whisper, wincing at my admittance of weakness.

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