The seat crinkled as she shifted. “We were a couple for a while. I’m the princess of Paragon. There’s a certain expectation that I’ll eventually marry, and I’m regularly courted by dignitaries from other kingdoms. Most of those meetings don’t ever turn into relationships. Very few show actual interest once we’ve met in person.”
“Why not?”
“Isn’t it obvious?”
“Not to me.”
“I’m an angel. The only one. A complete freak of nature.”
“I think you’re beautiful. Beyond beautiful. Stunning.” He leaned forward until the moonlight from the window washed across his face. “Let me see you, Princess.”
His breath left him in a rush when she obeyed, glowing in the small space. He reached out and twisted a strand of her platinum hair around his finger, their eyes locking. He was tempted to lean in for another kiss, but she looked away.
“There’s another reason I don’t date much, something no one ever talks about, but I suspect is the real reason I can’t find a mate.”
“What’s that?” When she paused, he added, “You can tell me anything. I’m not even from this world, remember? I’m not going to judge you.”
“There was a legend about me before I was born.”
“A legend. What, like they sang songs about your coming or something?” The wound on his neck started to itch, and he scratched it gently.
“Yes, actually. Before my parents, dragons were forbidden from mating with witches. It was well known by everyone in Ouros that if the two were ever to have a child, that child would be a monster. People believed it for centuries. The folklore in our kingdom made the citizens here terrified of me. They’ve since come to accept me, but there’s still an underlying fear. I think Cassius, being a vampire, was attracted to that. I was a challenge to him—something to do on a dare. That’s why… Well, once he’d gotten what he wanted, he lost interest.”
“Cassius is an idiot. And you know what? I think he saw what he was missing tonight, because if there’s one thing that’s easy enough to spot in another man of any species, it’s jealousy.”
She smiled in the darkness. “You’re very kind.”
Liam wasn’t the type of man to play games or to lie to get what he wanted. “I’m kind because I genuinely like you, Charlotte, and after that kiss we shared, I’m having trouble keeping my eyes off you.”
Her breath came more quickly and she leaned back against the seat again, extinguishing her glow and falling into shadows.
The carriage came to a stop.
“We’re here,” she said.
He reached for the door to open it for her.
“You don’t have to, Liam.”
“I was closer to the door. It’s the polite thing to do.”
“No. I mean you don’t have to keep your eyes off me.”
Liam swallowed hard. Damn it all to hell, he was in trouble.
Chapter
Nine
Charlie thought she saw a ghost of a smile soften Liam’s features, but it was gone before she could be sure. He opened the door, and they stepped out onto the well-lit walkway leading to the palace. Liam’s smile and the mood were gone. He stared down at her, his face impassive. What she wouldn’t give to know what he was thinking.
“I should take you to see Maiara about that bite,” she said, breaking the silence and leading the way toward the palace.
His head sliced to the side. “It’s fine. Already healing.”
“At least allow me to put some salve on it. I have some in my room,” she said over her shoulder.
“Okay.” His eyes slid to hers and she saw it again, the softness, the hint of a smile. Oh, it made her heart beat harder. She wondered what he’d look like if he laughed.
