Page 30 of The Lost Princess

“Do you … still plan to go to your human home?” I asked cautiously, trying to keep the frustration and hurt from my voice.

Kaida paused mid bite, swallowing heavily. Her guilty face said it all.

“I … I don’t want you to leave,” I confessed. “I want to take you to the ocean and teach you how to fly. I wish to show you the magick of my people and meet other drakens. That is where we both belong.”

Tears shimmered at the corners of her eyes, but I had to make her understand. She belonged with me! And if not me, then at least with my people. She needed to be around the other females to teach her voice magicks and choose a mate for her own.

Even if that mate wasn’t me.

Kaida brushed a stray tear away, her fingers trembling. “That sounds lovely, Nasi. To be honest, my reasons to go back to Tarta have been dwindling by the day. But I must confront my father. I need to know the truth. You had your memories and history stolen from you. You hated it. I just want to know who I am. I also have some demands. I don’t want to believe he is cruel enough to be starving our people.”

My wings twitched. “They are not your people. You aren’t their princess. You’re not even human.”

She grasped her stick tightly, gesturing toward me. “That means nothing! I grew up there! Everyone I care about is there! If I can get Father to see reason and help hungry people, then I will!”

Her words stung.

“I see. Everyone you care about,” I clarified softly.

Kaida seemed pleased that I understood. “Yes, exactly that; I can’t just abandon everyone.” She went back to her meat, and a small ache blossomed in my chest.

“Your father abandoned youfirst,” I growled suddenly, already regretting it as she flinched hard and trembled.

I was an idiot, and rushed to reassure her. “I know who you are. You are Kaida. You are strong, and intelligent, and I don’t wish for you to leave. Please don’t leave.” I didn’t understand why she couldn’t see what was so plain to me, to my inner draken as well.

Her eyes narrowed. “Let’s make a deal. You and I work together to grow stronger together. When you are strong enough to fly over the mountains, and I am strong enough to fly on my own, we will go our separate ways. I will go back to my kingdom, and you can reunite with your people. Everyone gets what they want.” Her lower lip trembled. “I have responsibilities, Nasi,” she whispered.

No!My inner draken raged.That wasn’t what I wanted!

I bit back a curse. At least I would have her for a while longer. I could convince her to stay of her own will. I knew it. I had to at least try.

“Deal,” I whispered, and stared into the fire. Kaida smiled at me, and we ate the rest of our meal in silence.

ChapterEleven

KAIDA

Ididn’t wish for Nasi to descend back into the mindless beast he’d been when I first met him, but at least he was predictable then. I’d understood him and his motivations.

Now? I couldn’t get a read on him. He treated me politely and with a touch of fearful aloofness. I wanted the passionate dragon man back. The one who easily showed his emotions and had no qualms kissing me senseless.

I hoped that working together would help him relax around me. There’d been this tightness ever since he’d come out of his feral state that made the air feel stiff and forced between us.

I also might be missing his kisses. Had I mentioned that already?

What if I kissed him first? Would he respond or would I just embarrass myself? He’d already admitted he didn’t want me to leave. That didn’t necessarily mean heliked me,liked me, though. He’d certainly wanted me enough when he was feral. Now he was careful around me. Too careful.

Gods, I sounded like one of the gossiping scullery maids.

“Are you ready? You look tired,” Nasi asked.

His voice jolted my thoughts, and I blushed. No way in hell I’d ever admit that my eyes were hooded because I was thinking about pressing him against the wall, not because I was tired.

I sighed, turning toward him and making direct eye contact while crossing my arms over my chest.

Apparently convinced I was finally paying attention, he commanded, “The first lesson is to stop letting your wings hang on the ground. That is lazy, and you will hurt them. Pick them up.”

I glared at him, standing in front of me with his gleaming scales and muscles. He’d at least retrieved a few pairs of breeches for himself at my request though he was tight-lipped on where they’d come from.

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