Page 151 of The Nymph Prince
It’d been easier than expected to get away from Avalontis.
After the battle with the dark mages, Father and I’d had a long discussion.
My mind wandered to that day…
“You wish to leave Avalontis?” Father asked in the privacy of his dining chamber. “I thought you’d outgrown your silly whims.”
“There’s little need for me here. Captain Orta has control of our army, and I have absolute trust in her. Matters of the throne are handled by you and Salvatore, since you insist on keeping him in your service.” I poured myself a glass of wine and added a generous amount of ambrosia, needing the liquid courage. “I feel as though I’m in the way here. I love my people, but my adventure is elsewhere.”
Father’s blue eyes carefully watched me. “Does this have anything to do with the loss of your mage?”
“Perhaps,” I answered, allowing a layer of sadness to fill my voice. “I’m not the same man I was before the battle.”
That was true, at least. I felt older somehow. Not wiser. But…changed.
“If you need to leave in order to find yourself, you have my blessing.” Father approached me and placed his hand on my shoulder. “I understand the need to be free, to explore the world before accepting your duties. I only fought you so hard before, because I hoped it’d sway you. I see now that you are too much like me.”
I nodded. “Thank you, Father.”
Ezra’s words returned to me, and I stared into Father’s eyes. I nearly asked him about it.
“Was there something else you wished to discuss?” he questioned.
I couldn’t say the words.
“No. That’s all.”
“Lorcan?” Alek nudged me with his shoulder. “Something wrong?”
I stared into his brown eyes and touched his cheek. “I’ve never been better.”
“Can I tell you somethin’?” Alek asked, slipping his hand in mine. “Out of all my adventures, you’re my favorite.”
My heart warmed.
“I’m an adventure?” I teased. “And here I thought I was just a hole for you to fill with your cock.”
“The greatest one,” he answered with a wink. “To both of your statements.”
I slapped his shoulder, and he tugged me toward him. He gently nipped my nose before leaning in for a kiss. His soft lips jumbled the butterflies in my stomach. I had to stand on my tiptoes to kiss him, which he seemed to find great amusement in.
It hadn’t taken me long to grow accustomed to his new body. He didn’t look or sound like the old Alek, but hefeltlike him. Yes, he was taller and more muscled. His hair was blond instead of dark-brown, and the blue eyes I’d gotten lost in so many times were now brown. But my heart sang in his presence, and I never felt more at home than when in his arms.
He rested his hands at my lower back and broke our kiss.
I hadn’t covered my pointed ears and regretted it as soon as I noticed people staring. Most seemed curious before losing interest, but it still made my cheeks heat nonetheless.
With the dark mages gone, there was no reason to live in the shadows. King James hadn’t broken the truce—yet—and any time we met any of his soldiers, they immediately recognized me and gave us no trouble. As the son of a god and crowned prince of Avalontis I’d always have enemies. I tried not to worry about it too much.
Malik worried enough for the both of us.
“We should find an Inn for the night,” my loyal guard and father figure said as he looked around. “The sun will be setting soon.”
He and Reif had accompanied us for the journey. They could gripe and grumble as much as they wanted, but I knew they were enjoying themselves. Troy had stayed in Avalontis and Eva had returned to Silver Falls with the promise that we would all meet again before too many months had passed.
Malik missed Troy, even if he hadn’t said the words. I missed him, too.
“Very well,” I said with a sigh.
