Claimed by Prince Daddy

2

Yet, I couldn’t move. I couldn’t look away from his arresting face and violet eyes that called to me like a siren’s song. My mouth watered with moisture as my gaze caught on the prince’s lips, which seemed full enough to promise passionate kisses. I swallowed, partly aware of the King of the Elves speaking, yet his deep voice sounded discordant, as if he spoke from far away. My inner wolf stood stiff-legged, ears pricked as she watched Drake through Ember’s eyes. The she-wolf c****d her grey head to the side—interest sparking to life in her eyes.

What is going on? How can a shadow fae affect me so?

“Who shall proceed to speak first?” The elf king asked, his attention flitting between both royals.

King Asar spoke, but King Tridar of the fae drowned out his voice as he, too, began to speak. A soft snarl curled up from the werewolf king’s throat. The shadow fae king’s eyes narrowed to dangerous slits.

A sigh sounded from above as King Nazzaril’s shoulders sagged. “I see I shall have to delegate this meeting as well,” he murmured.

The shadow fae prince with the enchanting gaze stared at me a heartbeat more, then turned his gaze to the elf king. I swore I could feel the recoil of our gazes breaking straight to my toes. Licking my lips, I gripped the seat underneath me for purchase and ripped my gaze from Prince Drake. My inner wolf let out a sharp bark of protest. Gritting my teeth, I hissed at my inner wolf.

Pull yourself together!

Alain leaned close to me and whispered, “You okay?” A frown tugged at her brow.

I swallowed thickly, unease flaring beneath my skin. Yet, I didn’t let my best friend see how unsettled I'd become.

Nodding, I said, “All is well, Alain.” Then I considered where we were. A peace summit with our enemy. “Well, as good as can be expected.”

Alain gave a reluctant nod. “If you’re sure.” She glanced down at our king, her voice dropping further. “For a moment there, I thought King Asar was going to launch himself at the fae king.” She shuddered. “I can’t be here if a battle breaks out. I have no idea how to fight.”

Protectiveness surged through my blood for my friend. “You’ve got me.” I reached out and squeezed Alain’s hand resting in my lap. Alain flashed a grateful smile. Never again would I allow a loved one to be taken from me.

My chest tightened as the image of my late brother’s face flashed into my mind. Xanu had been such a loving and loyal older brother to me. Tall and muscular, with dark auburn hair and forest green eyes, he had been a fine alpha heir to the kingdom. As such, he had become weighed down with the affairs of the kingdom as he grew older and worked alongside our father—but he’d always made time for me as the younger sister. Xanu and I had held a close bond, one that was unbreakable. That is, till death tore us apart.

Xanu had fallen in battle at the hands of a shadow fae. And my heart had blackened with hatred for the fae ever since.

Shaking my head to rid my dismal memory, I returned my attention to the summit unfolding.

“The Southern lands belong to the shadow fae,” King Tridar said. He cast a cool glance at King Asar. “It has been the fae’s since the beginning of time and should not have to be divided just because a new Lanair pack requires land.”

“That’s a lie!” King Asar snarled, leaping to his feet. Behind him, the noble wolves snarled in agreement—shouts of protest spilling forth like turbulent waves crashing against the shore.

Across the room, the shadow fae nobility leaned forward in their seats, their eyes glowing with barely restrained power—threatening to be unleashed upon the wolves.

“Order!” The elf king yelled. He swiped a hand through the air, and with his power, a gale-force wind whipped down the center of the room, commanding everyone’s attention. All eyes fastened on the willow frame of the elf king. “Order must be held at a peace summit.” He stated, his tone brooking no argument. “Both parties agreed to meet her on neutral ground to come to an understanding and agreement to stop centuries of war. Yet, look at how quickly you’ve regressed to your volatile tempers.”

King Asar actually ducked his chin a notch as if ashamed of his behavior. My brows shot up at my father’s behavior. My eyes snapped to the shadow fae king. He bore a more arrogant mask, his features hard with indifference, yet he settled back into his seat; his violet eyes no longer glowing with power.

King Azzaril turned to the werewolf king. “Let us hear your complaint.”

Nodding, King Asar began, “The southern lands may have at one time belonged to the shadow fae, yet five centuries ago, the shadow fae agreed to part ways with it and handed it over to the werewolves, due to our need for more territory with our expanding populace.” His upper lip curled back. “The agreement was shaken upon—back then, no penned contract was needed. A promised word was as good as law. Now the shadow fae reneged on their word, their promise, and seek to take back what is rightfully ours.”

I found my gaze skating to Prince Drake again, curious to see his expression—what he thought of my father’s statement. The Shadow Fae male’s focus was honed on the werewolf king, a deep scowl lining his features. My upper lip trembled in the beginning of a snarl.

“The shadow fae never agreed to part with their lands,” King Tridar argued.

From that point on, the peace summit made no headway. Hours crawled by, the elf king attempted to mediate the talks, yet both sides had not reached a semblance of understanding.

Finally, King Nazarril sighed and stated, “The night is upon us.” He looked pointedly at the windows fanning the far side of the room. Ember saw the stars had appeared. “We shall break for the evening and resume this tomorrow.” His lips pinched. “Perhaps tomorrow will bear more promising results.”

The look in the elf king’s eyes indicated he thought that notion was highly unlikely. I couldn’t blame him. My father was a stubborn man dead set in his ways once he believed in something. And by the stiff set to King Tridar’s shoulders, I knew the shadow fae king wouldn’t bend so easily.