“I thought it was only in my mind.”
“It can be.” Her dark eyes shone as she added, “But I’m the princess, Isahn. My power’s strong.”
He thought about the pressure around his wrist, and his mind drifted to images of her magic wrapped around a different appendage.
As she packed, her deceptively modest gown, an airy dyed linen, floated around her curves, tugging against her shapely thighs with each movement. Without her colorful wrap, Isahn could now see her dress was only held up by two thin straps.The fabric rose high up her back, tickling the escaped curls at the nape of her neck. In the front, it dipped into a low U that highlighted her ample chest.
He had to stop staring, so he ambled around the room, pausing in front of the dresser mirror to fiddle with his out-of-control tresses. “Do you know how to cut hair?”
“No, but Hildy does. You don’t usually keep yours looking like a vagabond’s?” George didn’t look over at him, but he could tell by the set of her spine that she was teasing.
“It’s a style I was trying out, but I think I’d like to opt for a more civilized trend.” He smirked.
Her laugh was rough and sweet, like honey-roasted almonds. After packing her jewels, she moved on to the closet. “I’ll have Hildy give you a trim. Give us some time to settle back in?”
“Of course.”
“And about your uncle, Burke’s concern is valid. I’ve already considered it. Stay close to me, and it won’t be a problem. I can alter your appearance if we cross his path.”
Isahn nodded even though she wasn’t looking his way, then he sat on a chair in the corner to watch her pack. “Why don’t you have a staff member do that for you?”
“Why didn’t you?”
He shrugged. “Feels weird when I’m perfectly capable of doing it on my own.”
She pursed her pillowy lips instead of saying “See.”
Isahn watched for another minute. He could’ve helped. It would have been the gentlemanly thing to do. Unfortunately, he was invested in the fabric of her dress tightening and loosening over her voluptuous bottom with each item she moved from its rack to her travel chest.
George’s demeanor at luncheon—prandium,whatever they called it—had been markedly different from now. It was almost as if she’d been worried about Wynnie having success with herovertly sexual illusions. He thought the princess may have been jealous, and it was high time to find out.
“Oh, Princess Georgie?” he drawled.
She paused her packing, standing slowly from the chest and turning even more languidly to face him. “Yes?” Her tone was suspicious.
As it should be. “Why didn’t you want me to stay with Wynnie?”
Her eyes flickered as she clenched her jaw.
Tentatively, he sent a stream of water her way, ensuring it was visible on its path across the room. She watched the cord push closer and closer until he reached her lovely lilac dress. George could’ve slapped his magic away at any time. She could’ve sliced through it with her touch if she’d been so inclined, but she just stood there, her breasts rising and falling as her breaths quickened.
Soaking up the sensation of her softness through the warble of water, he trailed a heated tendril down the curve of her stomach, lingering on her waist. She shivered as he circled the point of her hip bone, leaving no sign of wetness on her dress.
George’s lashes fluttered nearly closed as she dropped her gaze to watch him explore her waist.
Finally, she answered his question. “Safety.”
Isahn scoffed, pulling his magic away an inch.
George’s eyes snapped to him, piercing and hard. “Why? Do youwantto stay with her?”
His lips twitched. Heknewit. But before he had the chance to reply, George’s magic grabbed hold of his wrists and pulled him up from his chair. Urged on, partially by force, partially by his own free will, he walked toward her.
“No. I want to stay with you.”
Her lips parted into a little O as she released his wrists.
George may have stopped using her power to draw him closer, but Isahn didn’t stop coming, not until they stood close enough for their toes to touch.
