He shrugged. “I’m here because my parents made me come, technically. But then I found you.” His words sent a strange warmth through me.
“I didn’t know shapeshifters could change into different types of animals,” I said, still trying to process what I’d seen. “I thought Azures only had one form.”
He shrugged, a bit uncomfortable under my scrutiny, his warm brown eyes flicking away for a moment. “I’m special,” he said, almost as if he didn’t want to admit it.
There was a pause, his words hanging in the air between us. I studied him more closely.
My mind raced, piecing together fragments of memories and half-forgotten conversations.
“You’re Prince Draven,” I said softly.
I stepped back and gave him a deep curtsy, as I’d been trained. I had learned the etiquette and languages of every dominion from infancy, even though it had seemed unlikely we would ever meet face-to-face.
Mistrust ran deep between the dominions, and alliances were rare, if not impossible.
Draven blinked, surprise flickering in his eyes at my formal acknowledgment. He responded with an equally courtly bow.
“Can you make yourself into any animal?”
He smiled, stepping closer—
—
The memory melded into another,a cool dark hallway, my magic causing the lanterns to light up and lead the way as I giggled and squealed, running from something, though I wasn’t afraid.
I heard the growl of a lion behind me, eyes darting to see how close he was getting. He was intentionally slow, I could tell—but he continued forward.
My feet carried me faster, for the slit in my skirt and bare feet making it easier to sprint.
A warm, muscular arm—ahumanarm—wrapped around my waist and picked me up as I shouted.
“Draven—”
He pressed my back into the cool stone, his lips silencing my breathless protest.
“That was fun, Princess.” He smirked against my mouth, eyes vibrant as he nipped at my lips and pulled back. “I like hunting you. Let’s do it again.”
I shook my head, lips tingling. “I’m not fast enough. Besides, we’re supposed to be training—”
—
Another memory, swirling faster. Roomsin red and gold. A breeze drifted in through the open window. Skin against mine—Draven’s warm eyes on mine as we explored each other for the first time.
“Harder, please,” I whispered, my heart thundering. Draven leaned in and kissed my temple, his skin sweat-damp and overheated.
“Take a breath, Rubiana.” My full name dropped from his mouth was serious, different from his usual smirking, playful tone. “You’re going to set the entire room on fire—relax for me, Princess.”
I tried, breathing slow as he pushed into me, again and again. Slowly, gently. It felt like I was exploding from the inside, flames licking my skin.
I reached for his hand and he hesitated.
“Please,” I whispered to him. “Draven, it’s just Pairing.”
A frown marred his handsome face then. “Yeah, well, maybe I take it more seriously.”
I reached up to kiss his jaw, before turning his head toward me, blinking at the worry and vulnerability in his gaze.
With another gentle exhale, I breathed. “You know I want you.”
