After long moments, the prince turns back to me. “This is my staff,” he says, much to my relief, gesturing to the people half-encircling us. “They’ve been instructed to make certain your stay here is nothing short of splendid. I hope we can show you both not only the beauty of the Eastland Territories but the uniqueness of its people as well.”
Not a single face around us looks unhappy. In fact, everyone wears a smile, clearly glad to be part of the prince’s new rule. I want to tell him that I’m fully aware of the East’s unique qualities and even some of the magnificent people it has birthed, especially the one standing at my side, brooding personality and all.
But I am also aware of its darkness. The hold Thamaos has forever had upon this land. It’s hard for me to believe their path will change with one simple appointment of a prince. That’s why I’m here, though. To seek answers.
“We look forward to our stay,” I reply, lifting my eyes to the palace. “Shara is quite a lovely estate.”
“I’d love to give you a tour,” he says, and with the simplest gesture, his staff begins filing back into the palace. “But first, let’s get you both settled in your rooms. I’m sure you’re exhausted from your journey.” He motions again, and two footmen begin gathering our things from the carriage. Alexus, being the guarded man he is, grabs one of our bags as well—the one hiding his precious weapons and journals—and falls in step so easily with the attendants, following them inside.
Left alone, save for two armed sentries at attention near the doors, I expect the prince to guide me into his residence. Instead, we stand there, still trapped in this magnetic sphere that won’t seem to let us move away from one another. To make matters worse, a warm breeze washes over us, ruffling his hair and drenching me in his scent. Gods, he smells like the outdoors—all pine and moss and clear streams. Musk and sandalwood and…man.
“You’re much younger than I ever imagined,” he says innocently.
"As are you." I lift my chin a little. “But looks can be deceiving, can't they? And haven’t you heard all the tales about me? I’m over three hundred years old.Youare the youngster in this dynamic, my friend.”
He laughs. “I suppose I am. I just meant… Well, I didn’t expect you to beso…”
“Handsome?” I eventually supply when he doesn’t seem to know what word to use. “Beautiful? I’m rather used to this conundrum when I first meet people. I receive both compliments, too, and I appreciate either one. So don’t feel uneasy.”
“Beautiful. Shockinglybeautiful.” His cheeks turn a soft shade of red and his eyes go wide, as though realizing what he just said. He takes a deep breath and exhales, scrubbing a hand down his face. “Gods above, forgive me. I can’t believe I spoke that aloud. That was improper andmuchtoo forward.”
I shrug it off, flattered and encouraged. “It wasn’t improper. Very little willeverbe improper with me. And, I rather like forward. The more forward the better, actually.”
He crosses his arms and leans in, clearly embarrassed, yet trying to recover. “Is that so?”
I match his stance, hearing the provocative tease in his tone. “Absolutely,” I reply, more than willing to play this game. “It makes thingsmucheasier.”
“Things, you say?” He arches a brow, a sexy smirk at play on those kissable lips.
“Yes,” I say with a smile. “Things.”
There’s no hesitation in his next words, words that fall from his lips low and smooth. Words that only fuel the spark already ignited within me as his eyes flick up and hold mine.
“I’ll have to remember that.”
My attention falls to where his tongue darts out to wet his lips, a pretty slip of pink, and my blood heats, my cock twitching in my trousers. I’ve been with my fair share of people and felt the tug of lust and attraction many times, though rarely so instantaneously as this. Fia is the only person I recall ever mesmerizing me so completely from the first glance. I was a young soldier with a desert princess gazing into my eyes. Anyone would’ve been utterly enchanted.
This is different. For one, I may appear as such, but I am no longer a twenty-year-old man learning his way around the world. There’s a pulse between me and the prince, a recognition I don’t understand, our bodies inordinately aware of one another.
Oh, the things I could do to this man—the things Iwantto do to this man—and we’ve only just met.
“Might I show you to your chambers now, Colden?” he asks, and I try to decide if he’s being bold or hospitable.
Only one way to find out.
I gesture toward the main doors and paint on my most wicked grin. “Why, I thought you’d never ask.”
2
COLDEN
When the prince and I arrive at the top of the stairs on the third floor where the guest rooms are located, Alexus is waiting outside what is apparently my door. His massive frame is leaned back against the ornate moulding, arms folded over his chest, his booted feet crossed at the ankles. My dark knight. My guardian in black.
My cock-block extraordinaire.
The prince and I pause at the end of the hall and glance at one another, our previous chat now thoroughly ended. He’d been pointing out certain aspects of the grand residence of Shara, to which I offered sincere admiration and interest, especially when he said,“I hope you like your chambers. The bedding is new and exceptionally comfortable.”
So much for asking if he’d like to help break in the mattress.
