“Shh . . . ” Maxon tugs my hands away and leans forward, feathering light kisses all over my face. “I mean the fire.”
“Oh . . . ” I breathe as his lips trail over my collarbone.
“Fuck, you smell amazing,” he growls against my skin, sending goosebumps scattering.
“Maxon.”
“Right. Sorry.” Maxon takes a step back, a smirk on his devilishly handsome face.
I try to hide my grin as I pull my dress back up, adjusting my boobs. The tulle fabric is crinkled, but with a little effort, I manage to smooth it out. Not much I can do for the broken straps though.
“Our bond is still new.”
I raise an eyebrow, hoping he’ll explain.
“It’s why I acted as I did,” he continues.
“Well, you can’t just go cave man on everyone who comes near me, Maxon. I still need friends.”
Maxon nods and steps up to me, his hands running through my hair, smoothing it out before letting his hand trail over our mate mark.
“You’re so beautiful, even more so with my mark on you.”
Just as I’m about to reply, the heavy doors to the sitting room burst open with a resounding bang. Queen Lavina enters, her presence immediately commanding attention. Her piercing eyes scan the room, locking onto the two of us, and with a flicker of annoyance. She clicks her tongue.
“You two done?”
Mortification sweeps over me swiftly, and I duck my head. Maxon quickly places a kiss on my forehead before turning and addressing his aunt.
“Yes. Thank you for asking.”
Queen Lavina snorts with amusement, the sound echoing through the room as she pours herself a drink and takes a long sip.
“It’s your coronation tomorrow. Are you ready?”
I startle. “Wait . . . you were supposed to be crowned king two days ago.”
‘I moved it back.’
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Queen Lavina’s eyes swing to me, pinning me to the spot. “Are you ready for what it means to be queen?”
Huh . . . Queen? I just found out I’m a lost druid princess.
Maxon’s hand grips mine, our fingers entwining. “She will be fine. There is no rush.”
Queen Lavina raises a perfect eyebrow at us and flickers her wrist.
“A druid princess, born under a crescent moon’s gentle glow, shall wield power unmeasured in realms both high and low.
With magic deep within, she’ll rise, her destiny unknown,
To shake the faerie realm, where mystic secrets are sown.
Her heart a beacon of the woods, her spirit strong and free,
She’ll dance with stars and call the winds.
