Page 61 of The Dark Prince
“Kiss me.” I demanded.
Tyr jerked forward, then froze.
I refused to let him deny himself again; to deny me. I wrapped my arm around his neck and pushed him down toward me. He resisted and I pulled away. Should I tell him I knew about the beast?
Somehow, I didn’t think that would help the tattered strands of whatever bond we had. I closed the distance between our lips and gently pushed mine to his.
“Isadora, please,” he begged, his voice muffled against my mouth. This Dark Prince of the north, the king’s right hand of justice, was on his knees before me, begging.
“Just pretend,” I whispered against his lips, my hands curling around his neck, “that everything is alright.”
A rumble emanated from Tyr’s throat and that was all the warning I got before he picked me up and slammed my back up against the wall. My legs twined around his waist, and my fingers buried themselves in his hair. My ribs throbbed and my head hurt, but I didn’t care. I was well enough for this.
Tyr crashed his mouth down to mine, his tongue already slipping inside to claim me. I moaned as he pressed his hips against mine, grinding and writhing. I could feel his need and desire. This time I would egg him on until he lost control and had no choice but to unleash himself on me. I was ready for it. I wanted it. I—
A blast of trumpets sounded in the distance and everything fell apart. Tyr tensed and pulled away, lowering me to the floor.
The next time I saw a trumpet, I’d melt it down in the fire.
“Who is it?” I asked. Whoever it was, I’d spit into their evening wine for ruining our moment.
Tyr’s brow furrowed. “It’s the king’s soldiers. I was afraid of this.”
“What?” I asked, confused. Why weren’t they with the king? Why had they returned, but the king hadn’t?
“I need to see what the problem is. I need my mask.” He turned back to me, fear in his eyes. “You’re not to be alone anymore. Promise me you won’t shake your maids. I can’t have her take you away from me.”
Without speaking about her, we both knew who he was talking about. I hung my head, defeated.
He picked me up and carried me to his rooms, putting me down on my feet once inside. “Stay here, please. The room is probably the safest in the castle. I will send someone up to be with you, and I’ll find Arne.”
It was a small thing, yet seemed important to him. I gave an impatient sigh, then nodded. He was back in moments, slipping the white mask down over his face.
My gaze ran over the room, only slightly tidied up from his outburst. “It’s taking a while to set things right,” I noted. “Are the servants—”
Tyr scowled. “I refuse to let them touch it. It’s my mess. I will clean it up.”
While frustrating, it was perfectly in line with everything else I’d learned about his character. In silence, we continued down the corridor, and the stone steps lined with velvet to the main entrance hall.
“I will not stay here. I’m coming with you. Isn’t that the safest?” I peeked at him from under my eyelashes, knowing I had him there.
Tyr glanced at the doors, then back to me, torn with indecision.
“Fine. I suppose you’re right.”
Slowly, we walked down the corridor and down the main steps. I leaned against him as my ribs twinged with every step. Just before the main doors, Tyr stopped, tugging me back to him. “I want to be clear about something, so there are no more misunderstandings between us. I want you to share my rooms with me, but not until I make it right. But I want you there. I just … wanted to make sure you knew that,” he ended lamely.
I gave him a big smile and squeezed his hand. He was trying. We would face this together, and we would win.
Tyr opened the door and ushered me in before him.
Aella sat on his receiving bench, having clearly just arrived. Her cheeks were oddly flushed, and she looked genuinely surprised to see us. Maddeus stood over her left shoulder, gaze firmly on the ground.
Tyr and I sat down on the bench, Tyr between Aella and I.
“My father’s soldiers are coming,” Aella announced to the room.
“We know,” Tyr grit back.
