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On soar display of wealth, but on him it looked immaculate His poise, his air of ruthless confidence, and the way he held his shoulders displayed exactly what it was—a birthright

The crowned prince of Wyvern kingdom waited to dine with me

Suddenly I felt horribly, terribly out of place

Twenty-Two

I paused halfway down the stairs and ran ers across my bare chest

“What is it,to stand just a little behind me

“I should’ve picked out a nicer dress Or… Should I have worn the dagger? Or maybe the sword?”

Except he looked up then, and the bond filled with such war to Imy palm in his proffered hand

“Goddess give olden eyes taking me in “You are an absolute vision Ever the princess locked in her tower” He bent to kiss me delicately on the corner of the lips so as not to upset my lipstick

“You clean up very well,” I said, tracing the royal livery collar

“I haven’t done it in sixteen years It feels…odd Like I a to step into a past life”

He held out his hand for the key to the tower Leala supplied it immediately, curtsied, and headed back up the stairs

“I have pockets,” he said by way of explanation, dropping the key into his pants pocket

“Wouldn’t it be nice to not have to worry about locking doors?”

“I’lad there’s one place in the castle they can’t access through the hidden passageways There’s no point in locking any other room You at least have a semblance of safety”

He walked round floor No one loitered in the large foyer or h the halls It was too early for the parties by an hour or so, but usually there were a feeirdos bustling about as night descended Not so noondered if he’d cleared the way forto do with hiirl to a nice dinner

The hall arched above us, and two staff members dressed in tuxedoes hite bow ties waited beside a grand double door up ahead A deep purple rug ran underfoot, and gold etching adorned the walls The setup screamed royal

They waited until we got closer before reaching for the handles and pulling the doors open almost in sync