Page 78 of The Nymph Prince
“Lor!”
Lorcan turned around and his eyes widened. I looked to see why.
Troy was making his way through the crowd of people who’d gathered to see us off. A satchel was over his shoulder and he had his favorite bow strapped to his back.
“Wait for me!” Troy reached us, out of breath and flushed.
“What are you doing?” Lorcan asked, bewildered.
“I’m coming with you.”
“I…I didn’t think you’d ever…” Lorcan’s eyes watered before he threw his arms around his friend. “You said you’d never leave Avalontis. What made you change your mind?”
The two pulled apart and Troy adjusted the strap of his bag. “I can’t stand by and do nothing when everyone I love is risking their lives for our home.”
Lorcan nodded. “We’d be honored to have you join us.”
Eva wrapped her arms around Troy and kissed him on the head. “Your archery skills would be invaluable, little brother.”
A shy smile turned his lips. “Thank you.”
“No,” Malik said in snarly tone, putting a damper on the cheerful moment. “He’s never journeyed to the surface before. He’ll be in the way.”
Troy’s smile fell. “I will not.”
“You’re just a boy,” Malik retorted, glaring at the smaller male. “You’ll stay here where you can’t ruin this mission.”
Why was Malik behaving like an ass? Troy was brave enough to finally travel to the surface, and Malik was being cruel to him.
Lorcan focused on the guard. “Your opinion has been taken into account, Malik, but Troy is coming with us. No one, not even you, can best him with a bow. He will be of great use to us.”
Malik gritted his teeth. “Yes, my prince.”
Troy’s stare lingered on Malik for a moment longer and there was so much hurt in his eyes.
“Let’s take our leave,” Lorcan said, turning his back to the guard and approaching the barrier.
“Uh, Lorcan?” I said as something occurred to me. “Who will be carrying me?”
The prince’s lips twitched. “No one will be touching you except for me, sweetheart.”
I suppressed a groan. He was having too much fun at my expense. The term of endearment was the same one he sometimes used during our intimate moments, but he used it purely to annoy me right then, given the teasing expression he wore.
Lorcan grabbed my hand and led me to the barrier. “Take a deep breath.”
I did as he said, and in seconds, we were passing through the portal. The sensation was strange, like a light pressure that tickled. And then there was the weight of the water. The area in front of me shifted into sharp rocks, and even though I knew it was only an illusion, it still caused my gut to twist.
The feel of Lorcan’s arm around my waist was the only thing keeping me from panicking. If he was with me, everything was fine.
He tugged me to his chest, and I admired him. His ears were more pointed and blue dusted his shoulders. His nails were sharper, and he was careful not to cut me as he glided his fingers through my hair. So gentle with me.
He’d need quick access to my mouth when it was time for me to breathe again, and it was the perfect position. When Malik had been the one carrying me through the water, there’d been nothing sexual about it.
But with Lorcan? I’d find great enjoyment when it came time for me to take another breath.
I didn’t look at our surroundings as he propelled us through the water. Moving at that speed made me dizzy, so I shut my eyes and pressed my face to the crease of Lorcan’s neck. The water blocked his smell, but I felt the light thrumming of his pulse.
When my lungs started to burn, I lifted my head and nuzzled his face.
