Page 44 of Essence of the Throne

Angel save them, because I will not be responsible for my actions after the day I’ve had.

“Ah, sometimes, I suppose. I’ve learned to ignore it, so I do not notice it much any longer,” Caspian answers, his voice sounding too light for my liking.

Actually, knowing that he’s nearly naked with just fabric wrapped around his waist and still standing near them…

Breathe, Ariella.

There are a lot of people that live here. Surely they wouldn’t notice if two went missing?

I press my back against the textured bark, memories of the other night surfacing like an unwanted storm. Perhaps instead of tearing their hearts out, I’ll just make the women watch him fuck me against this tree. That seems a reasonable compromise.

“Are you betrothed?” one of the dead women walking asks, the smile in her tone evident.

The prince’s response is immediate. “Not in my father’s eyes.”

She hums, and I peer around the trunk again, weaving my umbral strand to cover me from any flickering light. The women give each other a loaded look and fuck if I don’t know exactly what they’re about to offer. I want to march over there and assert my claim over the prince, but I stop myself before my body moves.

I’m interested to hear what Caspian has to say.

“So you have no loyalty to any woman, then?” the second one questions.

The prince chuckles, clasping both hands behind his back as his head tilts. “I know you’re both aware of who I arrived with. I am loyal to her.” I think I’ve ceased breathing. Did I hear that correctly?

“The Silver One?” Both women laugh as the first reaches out to trace a finger down Caspian’s abdomen. My fingers dig into the tree so hard I feel the give of their skin just before hot liquid coats the tips. “We didn’t get the impression you two were together—she seemed to ignore your presence whenever we saw you both…” As if that would have stopped them. “I wouldn’t think that’s a way for any woman to treat her lover. Especially the Prince of Eldoria, of all people!”

His lips purse. “Is that what you saw? I seem to remember her attention quite differently.”

The second woman, a mere inch taller than the first, leans forward with a sort of urgency. “We didn’t mean to offend you, Your Highness.” I’ll be surprised if my teeth do not crack from the way my jaw clenches. “The opposite, actually. We thought you might enjoy some company, as you’re only here for the night.” She gestures between her and her friend.

It takes every bit of self-control I possess to remain unmoving.

Caspian clicks his tongue as his gaze roams both of their bodies. “The two of you being that company, I assume?” They nod and their smiles widen when he steps closer. I wasn’t planning on answering for three deaths tonight, but what has to be done will be done if he moves even a hair closer.

“Listen carefully,” he continues, his voice dropping to a seductive tenor. The first woman reaches back out to trace his taut muscles, and he seems to not notice as he smiles. “I do not appreciate you trying to make me a fool. You two are very aware ofwho Ariella is to me, so the fact that you thought your collective worth was even in the same realm as her is insulting.”

My jaw drops, and suddenly I’m feeling hot for an entirely different reason. Fuck. I want to walk over there and drop to my knees before him.

I’ve never pleasured a man with my mouth, but I’m practically salivating to show Caspian just what those words did to me.

I will later…but for now, I have egos to ruin.

Stepping from the shadows, all three heads snap my way as I look between the women. They’re pretty. I’m certain they acquire much attention, especially together, and that makes this so much sweeter. They both watch me with palpable hatred, but my focus shifts to the prince, who’s eyeing me like a predator.

I say nothing as I stalk up to their group, grab the back of Caspian’s neck, and pull his lips to mine. His hands find my waist not a moment later, the touch tingling as he slides them back to mold us together. His tongue meets mine, and I moan against his mouth, arching further into his hold. I pull at him harder, as if he could get any closer, and he bites my lip, drawing blood when I rub against his erection.

The taste of copper hangs sweetly on my tongue as the warmth of his body envelops me, drowning out the venomous stares from our audience.

I’m dizzy from the unconditional passion and reverence in his kiss. I could lose myself here, in this moment that speaks louder than any words we’ve shared, but I’m painfully aware of the eyeslingering on us. I can sense their fury coiling in the air, and it is sweet.

I pull away just enough to meet Caspian’s eyes—hungry and alert—as our heavy breaths share the non-existent space between us. He flashes a warm smile, dragging a finger down the length of my spine. My heart catches, and I shiver.

“Angel, I’ll publicly reject every woman in the realm, one at a time, if this is the response it will garner.” I’m so enraptured that I almost forget about the scheming women—almost.

Looking to my left, I raise a brow at the women. “Are you waiting for him to humiliate you again, or were you hoping to see exactly how Itreat my lover?” I mock their earlier words, continuing when the first opens her mouth. “Leave before I change my mind to skin you both alive and feed your rotting flesh to the griffins.”

Their expressions shift, mouths agape, as if the promise in my words renders them mute. The taller one fumbles, stepping back, shock painting her face a ghastly white. The other blinks, disbelief flickering before she’s dragged away and they disappear into the crowd of people.

Caspian faces me, his smirk growing wider, as if I’ve just unveiled a new layer of myself for him to admire. “My fierce assassin,” he teases with a giddy lightness, his voice a sultry whisper that makes my blood sing. “Dare I say you’ve grown? Months ago, you would have had their heads for even looking at what’s yours.”

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