The small group of aristocrats behind us stopped their excited chatter.They got into position along the corridor’s walls to greet the guests once they entered.I could feel their eyes on my back, watching my and Karim’s every move.
“It is time, Jasmine.Your ankle?”
There was pain once every three steps I made.Which wasn’t surprising, given the long walk we’d had to get here.But I wasn’t going to show any weakness.
“I can climb,” I whispered back, “you just… magic the ceilingaway.”
Something akin to pride flashed in Karim’s eyes as he regarded me before he schooled his features and gestured for me to go ahead.I now understood he hid both his emotions and his fluent English from his subjects, because the Prince had to fit in.But when it came to me, he was ready to go against society’s expectations.It was so humbling.
I was grateful he chose to climb after me.Even with a fully functional ankle, climbing a ladder in a long dress was asking for a tumble.This way, I knew he would be there to catch me.
When I somehow made it to the top, Karim used the nearest ladder to go up in a blur of motion.Before I knew it, he was pulling me through the ceiling.
I was hit by déjà vu when I ended up in the cave where we’d been yesterday, alone with Karim and my hand in his.Unlike the previous time, though, he was the one who kept our physical contact longer than necessary.His gaze lingered on me, taking me in under the soft glow of the wall crystals.
My pulse immediately sped up; one look of his, and I was ready to melt.It was ridiculous.And exhilarating.“Thanks for the help,” I mumbled.
He drew closer until we were a breath apart.“You can return the favor later,” he whispered in my ear, “by helping me take my dress off.”
“Only if you help with mine.”Wait, did I say that out loud?When had I become so daring?
The smile on Karim’s face when he stepped back told me I should keep it that way.
He turned toward the greenery, beyond which lay the outside world and gargoyles.“Now we wait for Tisvali’s signal, to let us know the perimeter is secure.”
“Do you secretly wish to be on guard duty?”He’d told me while decorating my hair that he enjoyed taking shifts guarding theKingdom’s surface territory.A pampered royal life was not something either he or Mesia enjoyed.“To be in Tisvali’s place instead of the Prince’s?”
“No, being next to you is all I want.Why do you ask?Don’t you want me beside you?”
“Of course I do!I’m simply babbling out of nerves… It’s just that you seemed to be in your element yesterday.”
“And tonight I look like a fish out of water?”He shot me an amused look.
I snickered.“No.But you can’t fight in this long dress and with loose hair, can you?And you’ve got a single weapon on you.”
“And which weapon is that?”
“Your sharp nails.”
Mirth danced in his dark eyes.“I should inform you, my flower, that these,” he curled his fingers with his palm up, “are claws.Trimmed to avoid causing too much accidental damage, but still hard and sharp.”
I winced.How hadn’t I realized that?Right, flora specialist here.How long were those white claws when not trimmed to perfection?
“I should also inform you,” his tone turned teasing, “that I know how to use my hair ineverysituation and that I have another weapon on me.Under my dress.It starts with the letterd.”
I gaped.He’d known the meaning ofdickall along!Sneaky prince.Also, that thing I’d seen in the bathing chamber was a weapon, indeed.If used correctly, it could certainly kill me with orgasms.
“Do you have a lot of experience with theD?”I asked, my eyes locked with his.He was being naughty, and I felt emboldened to play, too.
“Yes.”His voice shifted into a seductive whisper.
I bit my lower lip.
“Are you eager to see me use it, Jasmine?”
“Yes.”My voice came out breathy.
Fire blazed in his gaze.“Would you like to hold it?Feel its weight in your hand?”
