Page 93 of Once Upon a Crown
The word had left my mouth before I could think better of it, and just as well, because the moment Lance’s mouth was on mine, I forgot all the reasons I shouldn’t be kissing him. My lips parted of their own accord and there were warnings going off in my head, but I ignored them all.
Lance pulled me closer, filling the air around me until there was only him, and I was breathing him in like fresh air.
His hand was in my hair and his tongue slid into my mouth, teasing me, challenging me.
I sank into him, reaching for his arm and wanting to pull him closer. But Lance was ahead of me, his hands shifting to my waist, and he pulled me onto his lap. I let out a small gasp and then his mouth was on my neck, and the cold I’d felt before was long forgotten as heat surged through every part of my body. His fingers travelled the length of my back, tracing my curves, before he pressed me against his chest.
Lance undid my cloak, letting it fall to the carriage floor, and the buttons of my collar were next. It was ice and scorching fire merged together, and then he pushed the sleeve of my dress off my shoulder. His lips were on my throat and my collarbone, and every part of my skin that was exposed. I was dizzy and aching for him and wanting to run away all at the same time.
I clung to him, flushed with heat while silently wishing that this would never end.
“This is a bad idea,” I finally managed to get out, because I feared being used and I feared that he didn’t care as much as I wanted him to.
“Do you want me to stop?” He was breathing hard but so was I.
I let my hands cup his face, a day’s worth of stubble on his cheeks. I replied by kissing him again, because apparently, I had no self-control, and Lance had some kind of hold on me that I just couldn’t shake off.
His fingers dug into my waist, and I wondered what his hands would feel like on my bare skin. I moved my hips against his and a low groan erupted from the back of his throat. My lips pressed kisses to his defined jawline and down his neck until he pulled my mouth back to his. Despite my instincts warning me about getting entangled with the Prince of Everness, something about kissing him just felt right. And there was nothing mediocre about it.
* * *
We reached the town and found a beautiful little inn with a few rooms to spare for the night. Seeing as Lance was royal, the owner made sure we got the best of service and the nicest of rooms.
I fell onto my bed with a sigh, tired from sitting in the carriage all day, although I had to admit it was better than doing the trip on horseback.
The room had a plush red carpet to match the curtains that covered the window, which looked out onto the street. Outside, the town had a lively atmosphere despite the colder weather. I could hear people in the streets, walking and laughing. There was also a tavern a few houses down, from which there came a lot of noise. Someone played a violin somewhere and the music caused me suddenly to miss Norrandale.
But not the Norrandale I would return to now. I wanted the home I’d left behind. Not the kingdom in the grasp of war and filled with treachery.
I had dinner in my rooms and proceeded to take a bath in the porcelain tub in the corner of the room. My nightgown didn’t do much to keep me warm, so I got under my covers as quickly as possible. I thought about blowing out the candle next to my bed but I was not feeling sleepy yet. Then I remembered the two books I’d brought with me from Levernia, so I hopped out of bed and hurried over to my trunk to retrieve one.
After twenty or so pages, my eyes slowly started to droop, but I was mentally invested in the story and had a hard time putting it down. I decided that I would finish the chapter and then go to sleep as we had a long day of travelling ahead of us tomorrow.
My thoughts drifted to the prince in the room next door. I wondered if he was still awake. I’d let myself slip up earlier in the carriage when I kissed him. I knew better than to fall for the charms of a boy who had made me no promises and wasn’t likely to either.
I turned the page of my book but suddenly found myself unable to concentrate on the story any longer. My mind was too occupied with midnight hair and warm hands trailing my icy skin.
This was ridiculous.
I needed to go to sleep and forget about all of it. There were more important things to worry about. Like whatever was going on at Mistwood Palace.
A bang against my door nearly had me jumping out of my skin. The door handle rattled, but I’d locked the door earlier. A curse sounded on the other side, allowing me to recognise the perpetrator and filling me with some relief.
Lance tried the door handle again, but of course it would not budge. With a huff, I slipped out from the covers and made my way over to the door.
“What on earth do you think you’re doing?” I cried out, turning the key. The door had barely unlocked before Lance pushed it open and leaned in the doorway.
“Gwen darling,” he said with a lopsided smile, looking pleasantly surprised. “What are you doing in my rooms?”
“Yourrooms?” I questioned. “This is my room, Lance.”
He looked into the hallway and back into the room, swaying a little.
“Nope, pretty sure this is my room.”
He didn’t have a cup in his hand, but I remembered the tavern down the road from the inn.
“Goodnight, Lance.”
