Claimed by Prince Daddy

10

My mouth slackened; all I could do was stare at him. I couldn’t even formulate the right words. Shaking my head, I gathered my bearings. I leaned forward and growled, “You can’t at least try to get along with me? I mean, we’ll be stuck together for the rest of our lives.” More silence from the prince. I huffed, my irritation mounting. “What reason could there be not to?”

His cool gaze cut into me. “Plenty.”

I stiffened. I wasn’t going to get anywhere with this male. I sat back in my seat and watched the scenery, a hole gnawing at my insides as I felt more alone than I ever had in my entire life.

Trepidation flared to life inside my bones as the horse-drawn carriage pulled up to the courtyard of the shadow fae palace. Instead of the soft golden stonework of home, the place was built with obsidian stones, resembling an impenetrable fortress rather than an inviting place to dwell in. The towers that rose to prick the sky were spiraled, the pointed black roofs and violet flags ominous as they waved in the chilled wind.

As they approached our carriage, fae servants swathed in dark gowns resembled wraiths. Every step they took toward us made the knot lodged inside my throat grow larger. I felt like I couldn’t draw in oxygen, like my lungs were shriveled up inside.

The servants opened the door. Drake stepped out first without a glance at me. Once outside the carriage, he kept walking. I would’ve bristled if I wasn’t so nervous.

“Drakegeon,” a sharp voice scolded from the other carriage standing a few feet away. I peered out the window.

King Tridar already stood outside the carriage as he helped a tall female step down. The female, whom I’d recognized as Drake’s mother, glared at her son. She gestured with a jerk of her head toward me. I blinked. Drake froze—every muscle in his strong back locking in place. He shot an imploring glance at his father. King Trader’s eyes narrowed.

Clenching his hands, Drake returned to my side.

What is he doing?

He extended a hand, and realization went off inside my head. He was to help me out of the carriage as his father had helped his mother. A gentlemanly gesture, if it wasn’t that he was coerced; Drake stood with a scowl on his features. My inner wolf lowered her head, a small whimper escaping her muzzle. He had hurt my wolf. She felt unwanted.

That knowledge alone fueled my anger. I took a step down out of the carriage and slapped his hand away. I would get my self out of the damn carriage, thank you very much.

Drake’s eyes shot wide at my downright refusal to accept his hand. He slowly lowered his hand to his side, and his glower darkened.

Someone cleared their throat. I turned to find Drake’s siblings standing in the courtyard alongside their parents. The sister seemed to cast me a pitying look while the other young male’s shoulders shook in a barely concealed fit of laughter. I glared at him. It only seemed to encourage the male. I believe his name was Solarus… King Tridar shot a withering glare over his shoulders, and Solarus froze, cowed beneath his gaze.

Turning back to face Drake and me, the king said, “Welcome to our home, Princess Ember Vaughan.”

I dipped into a low curtsey, as was proper when formally greeting a royal. “Thank you, Your Majesty.” Straightening, I saw that I had made the right move, for his eyes glimmered with pleased surprise, and the queen’s sharp angular features softened somewhat.

“Drake,” Queen Mercer Evenus told her son, “why don’t you show the princess around? If she is to live here, she ought to be familiar with the grounds.”

My small smile stayed in place, yet a scream resounded inside my body.

I can’t possibly be stuck with him for a moment longer. I had already spent a day confined in a tight space with him!

By the slight muscles that twitched at the corner of his eye, I could tell Drake wasn’t thrilled about the idea either. Yet, his mother’s cold features brooked no argument.

Casting me a brief glance, Drake said, “This way, Princess.” Then he turned and strode toward the palace doors.

I took a couple of steps forward, then paused as doubt and apprehension crept inside. I cast an unsure glance over my shoulder. Queen Mercer nodded encouragingly.

“You’re in good hands with Prince Drake, Princess Ember,” said King Tridar.

That’s what you think…

My chest heaved as I inhaled a steadying breath and resumed following the Prince. I entered the palace and was awed by the decor. Crystalline chandeliers spanned the length of the great corridor. A burgundy rug ran down the marble floors. A row of guards dressed in obsidian armor stood on either end of the corridor and upon Drake and myself entering, stood straight and offered a salute.

Drake dipped his chin in acknowledgment. He glanced at me out of the side of his eye. “You’ll find beyond this corridor that it leads to the throne room. He then showed me the room. I was surprised that it wasn’t much different from the throne room of my palace home.

A grand chandelier hung from the ceiling casting the room in silver light. Twin thrones stood at the back of the room, one slightly larger than the other—the King’s throne. Both thrones seemed made from the finest platinum, with diamond trim and deep violet cushioning. The throne room was empty.

I looked to Drake. “Where’s your court?”

He shot me a disbelieving glance. “Still traveling from the elven lands. Some have decided to stay at an inn for the night. But as royals, it is our duty to return to the palace as soon as possible.”

A wave of embarrassment flooded my cheeks.

Right, of course. Way to make yourself out to be the fool, Ember.

He spun on his heel and padded down another corridor. He made quick work of showing me the library and ballroom. He then took me up a flight of opulent stairs, showing me several private rooms where important guests and delegates stayed on the west side of the palace.

“Let me show you to the gardens,” Drake said. He headed for the stairs.

I had to jog to keep up with him nearly, my shorter legs not covering as much ground as his lengthy strides.

He took the stairs, and I bunched up my skirts and launched after him. “Could you wai—” a yelp punched from my throat as my foot caught on my skirt.

I pitched forward, the stairs rushing up to meet me. Gasping, I slammed my eyelids shut, unable to right myself in time.

A pair of strong arms wrapped around my middle, breaking my fall. The breath whooshed out of me. In the next breath, I was hauled backward against a solid chest. My eyelids snapped open to find Drake standing behind me. His warmth seeped into me, turning up the delicious heat in my belly to blazing proportions. My breath came out in pants, though I was not spent. I angled my head to peer up at him.