~Ioana~
A hand slipped into mine.
My jaw dropped open in shock, my head snapped to the left, staring at him with my eyes wide open. What—what is he doing?
Everything else faded away—the chatters, the murmurs, the bone-piercing stares all went away—until it was only me and him, hazel on gold, his hands in mine. Complicated emotions went through his eyes.
He sighed. "Stage fright?" he scoffed softly. "It would be a shame if you embarrass me as my mate. Don’t think too much." His hand gripped mine tightly, pulling me forward. I stumbled after him, my heels clacking against the floor. Heat crept up my cheeks.
How could he say something like that? He halted before the railing, staring down at the crowd, his face emotionless, giving only a nod of greeting to the elders.
"Prince." Elder Tha
