Page 79 of Seduced By Moonlight

Kayden sighed. “I know. Look, between you two and the garden roses over there, I’ve found him attractive from the moment we met. Even my power reacts to him. It goes a little haywire whenever he touches me. It’s as if it likes him and wants to get closer.”

“Interesting.”

“I was going to say kinky, but whatever works,” Lance said.

“Of course you were.” Mika pursed his lips as he looked at Kayden. “You should’ve seen Ward when he landed in front of you during the attack last night. He was scary with his wings extended.”

Lance nodded. “Dude was hella pissed. And when his eyes turned red, he turned that witch to stone—”

“God. That was absolutely terrifying,” Kayden said quietly. “I guess that answers whether or not they can do that.”

“Well, we know Ward can at least,” Mika said. “But yes, that’s a terrifying ability to have.”

“I wonder if it’s just something Ward can do. He is their king, after all,” Lance said. “Okay, what? You just went pale. Are you sick? Is it your head?”

Lance’s words hit Kayden like a ton of bricks. “How could I have forgotten he’s royalty? I mean, he’s their fucking king. What the hell am I doing kissing on him? I’m nobody and he’s—”

“Someone who strikes me as being capable of making his own decisions,” Mika finished for Kayden. “Don’t get wrapped up in titles.”

“How can I not!” Kayden exclaimed. “He’s a fucking king and I’m—”

“I swear, if you say you’re a fucking nobody again, Iwillhit you, even if you did just recover from a concussion,” Lance threatened. “You aren’t a nobody. And he doesn’t strike me as the type who would mess around with your affections unless he was serious.”

“I agree,” Mika said.

“Did the two of you drag me out here to ask me this?” Kayden asked.

“Yep,” Lance said, completely shameless. “Sure did. Go you!”

“Well, that, and to make sure you really were okay,” Mika said.

Kayden let out a long breath, the tightness in his chest lessening slightly at his friends’ support, though the bewilderment and anxiety did not entirely fade. The castle’s high stone walls loomed around them, a literal and figurative weight that pressed closer with each passing second.

“I just don’t know what to do,” Kayden admitted, avoiding the penetrating gaze of his friends. “I mean, how does someone like me even fit into his world? This is all fairy-tale stuff, and I’m just—”

“You’re just perfect,” Mika cut him off gently. “You think too little of yourself. Besides, Ward isn’t your typical king. Think about it, he’s different.”

“He turns people into stone and flies around on gargoyle wings,” Lance added with a grin, trying to lighten the mood. “Not exactly your run-of-the-mill royalty.”

“And he kissed you,” Mika emphasized. “Not some duke or diplomat or other hoity-toity nobility—”

“Mika!” Kayden hissed, glancing nervously around as if the very stones might be listening.

“He’s right though,” Lance said as he leaned back, looking relaxed as ever. “Ward chose you. And from what we’ve seen, he doesn’t do anything without a damn good reason. He’s intense, but so are his feelings, I’d bet.”

“It’s just hard to believe that someone like him could want someone like me,” Kayden murmured.

“That’s because you’re viewing yourself through your doubts and not through his eyes,” Mika said softly. “From what I’ve seen, Ward looks at you like… like you’re magic.”

“Magic, huh?” A slight smile tugged at Kayden’s lips. It faded quickly as he considered the implications of his situation again.

“Yes, but remember we’re here for you no matter what. So? What’s the plan, Stan?”

Kayden felt steadier surrounded by the support of his friends. “I need to talk to him,” he decided. “I need to understand where this is going—if it’s going anywhere—and what it means for both of us.”

Mika nodded. “Sounds like a good start.”

“And whatever happens,” Lance added sternly, “remember that you have us. Kings or gargoyles or witches be damned.”

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