Page 150 of The Nymph Prince
The next morning, he dressed and made light quips at me. He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. Dark circles were under his eyes, and his skin was paler than usual, proof that he wasn’t as fine as he pretended to be.
“What are your thoughts on leaving Avalontis?” he asked as he buckled his belt.
“It matters not where we are,” I answered, walking up behind him and sliding my arms around his lean waist. “Just as long as I’m with you.”
“Father will begin to suspect something the longer we stay.” He turned and looked up at me, toying with the hair that curled at my ear. “The world believes Alek to be dead. I should be devastated by your loss, not already having a gorgeous man warm my bed. It’s too risky.”
I recalled the short discussion I’d had with the king during the feast in the Great Hall.
“I think he might already know,” I admitted.
Lorcan chewed his bottom lip.
“What do you propose?” I asked.
“I’m going to tell him I’m leaving.” Lorcan lightly kissed my lips before walking toward the door. “Tell him I need to find myself.”
“And if he forbids it?”
Lorcan’s face hardened. “His permission is not needed. I shall do as I please. I dare him to try and stop me.”
After Lorcan left, Dathan brought my meal and gave me an odd look. He didn’t say anything to me, but I’d felt his confusion. The nymph had been right…people were suspicious. The truth would be difficult to keep hidden for long.
Around midday, Lorcan told me the king had agreed to let him leave Avalontis. We were going to leave in two days’ time.
“Where will we go?” I asked as we lay in bed. It was still too early for sleep, but we didn’t care.
“Wherever the tide carries us,” Lorcan answered.
That sounded good enough for me.
35
Lorcan
Months later
Emerald Cove was, without a doubt, the most beautiful place I’d ever visited: blue-green water, fine white sand, and a flourishing town. There was sun and warmth and a community of people who thrived on kindness and talent. Music rang throughout the crowded street as a band of bards strummed their lutes and sang a merry song.
As Alek and I walked through the marketplace, I kept stopping to admire trinkets and sample sweets from the bakery.
“They only let you sample them because you’re pretty,” Alek said with an amused eye roll.
“I do believe that’s bitterness I hear in your tone, mage,” I responded before placing the piece of honey-dipped bread to his mouth. “But I’ll give my best boy the last bite.”
“Best boy?” he asked around his mouthful. “I’m you’re only boy.”
“That you are.” I attacked him with a kiss and was rewarded with the honey left on his lips.
“You only wanted my sweet mouth.”
“You caught me,” I said, flashing him a smile.
Much had changed in the last several months.
We’d left Avalontis and traveled the land, stopping in numerous seaside towns. Alek had warned me against some of them. He’d seen many places during his travels and knew which ones to avoid. I loved hearing him recount his time as a pirate. With the exception of the brothel stories. There was no shame in sex, yet it made my jealousy spike when hearing him talk about another’s hands on his body.
Sometimes, I believed he did it on purpose just to get a rise out of me. The possessiveness caused by our bond made me toss him on whatever surface was closest and ride his cock until he spilled into me. It was a way of showing him that he wasmine. To remind him of who his cock belonged to.
