“I know,” Adriana huffed. “WishIhad the Divine Gift.”
Lukas stiffened.
“The what?” My head whipped to face her, but before I could ask her what that meant, Lukas’s hands were yanked away from me as a roar boomed through the cave. Everything became a blur of screams and flying leaves. Then, three things became clear all at once:
Lukas was pinned against the wall in a tangle of thorny vines.
The screams were all coming from my throat.
And finally, I was now pressed against a hard chest by two familiar arms – a chest that vibrated as Prince Arenn’s furious voice filled the cave. “You’re going to tell me right now exactly what you’ve been doing withmyprincess all day before I tear you limb from limb, boy king.”
CHAPTER 17
Wrenching myself from Arenn’s grasp, I spun away to face him. This day had already been long enough, and the last thing I needed was a jealous faery prince threateningmyfiancé. Especially when hot tea and a warm, dry bed were only a short walk away from the cave we were now trapped in.
“Let him go, Arenn,” I seethed.
“I wasn’t talking to you, human.” He kept his fiery gaze on Lukas. “Answer me,” he spat. “Why couldn’t I sense her all day, until now, when I catch you with your filthy hands on her chest?”
“Perhaps she did not want to be sensed by you,” Lukassnarled, writhing against his thorny chains.
Arenn growled and charged towards him. He stopped only when I slammed my hand on his chest and threw my entire body weight against him.
“Please,” I begged, my tone both furious and desperate. “Just let him go and leave us alone.”
Arenn’s jaw tensed when our eyes met. Over my shoulder, I caught Adriana’s tail morphing into legs before she stormed out of the water and positioned herself beside Lukas.
“You’re messing with the wrong family,” she grumbled. Reaching for her curved dagger, she began sawing at the vines that bound his wrists.
“Please, Arenn.” My voice dropped to a whisper. I didn’t miss his shudder when I cupped his cheek. “If you love me at all, you’ll let him go. No more violence.” His eyes softened with my tone.
“I’ll always love you, human.” The anger in his words faded a little. “But not enough to save your foolish prince.” Then, he snatched my wrist, and before I could scream again, the world vanished in a swirl of magic.
I retched the moment we landed in a sand-coloured hallway. Doubling over, my palms pressed against my knees as I groaned.
“What did you do?” I rasped. “Where are we?” The floor beneath me was spinning. Lifting my head, everything was spinning. I groaned again.
“Do not fret, we’re still in your precious human palace,” he said over his shoulder. His hands were buried in his pockets while he paced a few steps away from me. “What were you doing with him?”
“That’s none of your concern.” I winced as my stomach twisted itself in knots. Thankfully, my surroundings were beginning to clear, and I recognised the familiar corridor outside my bedchamber. “You could’ve warned me before you used your magic to bring me here.” It made sense now why Arenn had always insisted I shut my eyes before.
“You should’ve never left with him,” Arenn shot back. “Then I wouldn’t have had to use magic. We’re already running late as it is.”
My eyebrows pinched together. “What are you talking about?”
The door to my bedchamber swung open hard enough to make me stumble. Arenn’s arm caught me before I fell, leaving me face to face with a relieved-looking Lady Raena.
“Naria, thank the Oceans you’re here! And oh… Prince Arenn?” She bobbed her head in an awkward sort of greeting before her eyes widened at my gown. “Ugh, what’s all this? Don’t tell me you went swimming in your clothes? Is that what you and Lukas have been doing all day?”
I could feel Arenn’s growl behind me.
“It’s a long story,” I sighed. And not one I’d be repeating anytime soon.
Raena shook her head, tutting. “Well, come in then. Ivy and I need to get you ready.”
“Ready for what?”
Arenn’s silky voice answered for her, “Queen Cora is hosting a small garden party in the palace grounds. She announced it this morning. Everyone is invited.”
