Page 75 of Of Rime and Ruin
Annoyance blooms in my chest, and I grip the railing tighter. It was a mistake to bring her inside. I should have known she’d get under my scales. Guests always do, butthisone is doing it on purpose.
“Have you always been this much trouble?”
“Oh yes. Winona was sick of me.”
“Is that why she abandoned you here?” I snap, stepping into her path. She frowns and tries to skirt around me. I move to block her again, and we’re face to face. The princess, still two steps up, meets my eye level. Large, brown eyes, sparkling with mischief.
“Abandonedme?” She scoffs. “No, that’s why she wanted to ship me off…” Her face contorts. “I don’t have to explain myself to you, Peppermint Breath. If it weren’t foryourobsession with imprisoning passersby, I would be out of your hair by now.” She jabs her finger at my chest, and I catch it, holding it there.
We both stare at our hands, her small fist curled up in mine. Her skin is soft and the tip of her finger is warm where she touches the thin fabric of my shirt.
“Peppermint Breath?” I echo.
Her throat bobs as she swallows. “I could be in the Coral Kingdom by now, getting married on a beach. Somewhere warm and sunny, two things you’d never understand.” She tugs against my grasp, and I release her hand as the weight of her suggestion lands.
“You’re engaged to the Coral Prince, and you didn’t think tomentionit?” I rake my hand through my hair. If that cocky prince learns I’ve held his betrothed hostage, I’m fucked. The Coral Kingdom has wealth, influence, and assuming he’s already planned her rescue, the element of surprise.
“It never came up.” She blushes and avoids my gaze, twisting her hands together. I glance at her fingers. No ring. Odd.
“Youarebetrothed?”
She bites her lip. “That’s right.”
She’s lying.
“My condolences to the happy couple.”
Her jaw drops, and the fire returns to her gaze. “What doesthatmean?”
“Have you met the prince?”
“Well, no.”
“You won’t like him. He’s too cocky.”
“Andyou’reany better?” She raises her finger to jab me again but seems to think twice about it. Smart girl.
She crosses her arms beneath her breasts instead, and I struggle to keep my gaze on her face. A gentleman would keep his eyes steady. Or stare at the ceiling.
Not me.
I risk one quick glance, and my mouth goes dry. Her nipples are hard through the silk.Goddess above, they’re perfect. My ears burn as I force myself to look away.
She must be cold, wearing that thin little thing at night. It has nothing to do with me.
“If anything, I suffer from the opposite problem,” I grunt. The Coral Prince could learn a lesson or two from me in self-loathing.
“I’m sorry to hear about the size of your package, Sergeant Smalls. You know there’s a tonic for that.” Nahlani wrinkles her nose and flicks her gaze to my crotch. “Now if you’ll excuse me—”
She tries to step around me, and I snare her waist. My hands slide on the silk of her robe as I twist her into the railing. I frame her with my hands, caging her where she can’t escape me. Her scent floods my nose, intoxicatingly sweet.
She stares at me with wide, wild eyes. Her lips part, glistening and pink, as her breath brushes my neck.
Kiss her, says the Beast.See if she tastes like the sun.
I shake my head. Where is he getting this from? I pound my fist into the railing to dispel the intrusive thought. “Are you engaged to him?” I demand.
“That’s my personal business, Your Majesty.”
