Footfalls sound, followed by the scrape of a chair, and then the tread of heavy boots across stone. A door opens. Closes.
I don’t dare move.
I wait until the footfalls fade completely before I press my hand to the panel again, my pulse now louder than ever in my ears.
As the secret door slides open, the glow of candlelight fills my vision. I squint against it for a moment, adjusting to the change in illumination.
His back is to me, but then he straightens. He glances over his shoulder before turning completely in my direction and stepping closer. Dante’s gaze slowly strokes over the length of my body before he takes my hand and tugs me into the room.
My breath catches, and I feel the urge to say something, just to give myself enough time to adjust to the intensity of his eyes. “Pretty late for the king to pay a visit.”
He runs a thumb over the back of my hand. “He’s in a dark place and wants to ensure this tour goes his way.”
“Why would he think it wouldn’t? It’s what you want, isn’t it?”
“I’m not doing this for him.” He tips my chin up with a finger. “And if you don’t know what I want by now, Highness, you haven’t been paying attention.”
His eyes darken as he traces my jaw with his thumb. The connection of our skin sparks an eruption of energy so intense, I can feel his pulse in my blood.
“I have to tell you something.” The words come out so fast, I have to catch my breath. “A message was delivered to me when I was in Delasurvia. Meant for you.”
“For me?” His brows lower. “What kind of message?”
“It said, ‘For the future prince,’ and there was an item included.”
He waits a moment, but when I don’t continue, he prompts me. “What was it?”
“It was a black, leather cord, like a band or collar. And there was a pendant shaped like the head of a fork.”
He blinks, taking that in. “Like a tuning fork?”
“Yes. Do you know what that is?” I’m hoping he does so I don’t have to explain the horrible thing.
“I’ve heard of it, yes.” He doesn’t elaborate, and the look he’s giving me tells me he’s heard of it because of my father. He must have known that my father used the collar to keep the sirens he imprisoned from using their powers. To keep Dante’s mother from glamouring my father’s guards when she was locked in Delasurvia’s dungeons. “Do you think it was from the tsar?”
“It was one of the thoughts I had, yes.” I swallow. “The other was… your brother.”
He drops his gaze, most likely absorbing that possibility. After a moment, he nods. “Not even a prince yet and I’ve already got enemies.”
“It’s an empty threat, Dante. They can’t touch you.” I say it more to convince myself.
The corner of his mouth ticks upward. “Not with you watching my back.”
I can’t help but smile. “I’ll gladly be your sworn protector.”
“It could call for some extremely close contact.” He trails his handsaround my waist. “You think you can handle it?”
“I’ll give it a try.” I fist his shirt, pulling him closer until his lips crash upon mine. I soak in his kiss, making it my mission to memorize the feel of his mouth, the taste of his tongue. There’s no telling when we’ll get the chance to be alone again, so I intend to commit every bit of him to memory.
He nips at my bottom lip before trailing his teeth down my throat, causing heat to blossom between my legs. I gasp as his mouth finds my collarbone, his fingers tugging my hair at the nape of my neck. It’s just painful enough to heighten my senses. I arch into him until our bodies are flush, and when I feel his hard length press into me, the heat between us elevates to an inferno.
“Gods, I want you.” My voice is a hoarse whisper.
“Is that so, Highness?” he asks between kisses peppered at the top of my breasts. His hands snake around and cup my ass. “Where?”
“On top of me, inside me. Everywhere.”
“And I want you. I need your sweet pussy pulsing around my cock. And I want your eyes on mine while I make you cum.”
