Soulbound

As promised, the king and queen had left. The dining room suddenly seemed much smaller than before. More intimate. The bold prince had taken it upon himself to sit on the head of the table where his father had and gestured for me to sit where his mother had. I threw him a dubious look--he was crazy if he thought I was sitting where a queen sat--then took the chair adjacent to the queen’s seat. He was content enough with my decision, leaning toward me on his elbows and grinning like a dog that had just been promised a big, juicy steak. I held my breath, thanking all the gods that Grayson was only three feet behind me.

Before the prince could say anything, the first course arrived. The poor servers were confused when they saw there were only two of us dining tonight. After a shrug, the spare servers left while the others placed soup in front of us. Jacob wasn’t the only one who relaxed when King Renkon was gone; the servants seemed much less stiff now that he wasn’t in the room.

When the servants left, the prince continued to stare at me with a pair of hungry eyes. I couldn’t take it; it was unnerving, and I wasn’t used to men giving me that kind of look. “So, huh, about earlier. . .”

Prince Leonidas laughed then chucked my chin. “No, no, my beauty. We’re not talking about things said in the past. I want to hear all about the wondrous Eva Greene. Your brother has kept you secret from me.”

Probably for this exact reason.

“But-”

“Ah! No buts unless we’re talking about yours.” His eyes drifted leisurely up and down my body, enjoying the frame of my corset. “I’m not discussing any business with you until you talk. Tell me something about yourself.”

I inwardly groaned, wondering if I’d made a mistake brushing off the king.

It wouldn’t hurt to get to know him, Arkon suggested in my mind. He’s clearly infatuated by you. Maybe he’ll be more open about his intentions for us. Just be careful.

He could say that again. But I agreed with him. We could use his infatuation to our advantage. Plus, getting to know the one we’d be dealing with had its own advantages.

“Okay,” I relented, setting my empty soup bowl aside, giving the prince my full attention, “but I want to get to know you too. A question for a question?”

He smiled, a genuinely pleased smile, no sexual ulterior motives behind it. “All right, Miss Greene. You’re on. What’s your favourite color?”

Baffled, it took me a moment to answer. I’d expected an in-depth--or at least a sexual-- question, not something so simple. “It used to be green,” I replied honestly, “but ever since my first flight with Grayson I’ve changed it to blue, the colour of the ocean.” I would never forget my first time seeing the glistening water underneath the sun's tender gaze. It had been the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

Prince Leonidas raised his eyebrows over to Grayson. “Your first time was with the runaway, eh?”

Grayson gritted his teeth. “Don’t call me that.”

“Why not?” the prince goaded. “That’s exactly what you did: you ran with your tail between your legs.”

Hand on the hilt of his sword, Grayson stepped forward with a murderous look in his eye.

I didn’t know what the deal was between them, but I didn’t like it. “Leave him alone, Prince, or we can cut this talk short.”

Completely ignoring Grayson’s heaving chest, Prince Leonidas turned his thoughts back to me, charming smile and all. “You know how to get a man’s attention. I don’t think you would be as forgiving if you knew what he’s done, though.”

“I know.”

At that, his eyebrows shot into his hair. He peered over to Grayson with more scrutiny this time. “He doesn’t deserve your leniency.”

“What’s your problem with Grayson?”

He laughed bitterly then waited for the servers to bring in the second course--duck, potatoes and asparagus--before answering. “My father likes to keep him close, but I hate that he’s here all the time. He doesn’t belong here.”

Grayson grunted behind me. “Trust me, Leo, if I had things my way, I wouldn’t be here either.”

Prince Leonidas turned in his seat to face him fully. “That’s the thing, runaway, I don’t trust you. I don’t understand how Jacob can be your partner. Hargin definitely shouldn’t trust you with her.” He gestured to me, clearly mistaking me as an object and not someone who still hadn’t decided if I wanted to deal with him or not.

Grayson opened his mouth; I beat him to it. "I trust him--far more than I trust you. If this is how you treat people, you're no better than your father.” I stood up to leave.

The prince jumped to his feet and caught my wrist. “Eva, wait. I apologise.” Seeing that he had gotten my attention, he released a relieved breath then continued more deliberately, “This isn’t how I usually treat people. Please. Have a seat. This meeting is very important to me, to you, to my people. What Prince Darius did to your village was unjust and will not go unpunished, but his army is big and his soldiers are strong. My father hates to admit it, especially since you are a woman, but I’m not afraid to admit that we need you. You are an asset we cannot go without, and I have a feeling you won’t turn a blind eye on people in need.”

I tried to muster whatever air of authority I had left, despite how difficult it was after his blatant honesty, and squared my shoulders. “What makes you say that?”

He smiled, part-cocky, part-mischievous, and definitely seductive. “Because you’re just like your brother and it’s one of the many things I admire about him. That’s why he’s one of my most trusted friends.”

I didn’t believe him. He was a prince, he didn’t give a rat’s ass about anyone beneath him; that’s what I’d learned growing up in a small, defenseless village. Whenever we were attacked, no help came. We had to fend for ourselves because no one thought we were worth saving. “You know where he came from, right? Where we’re both from? We didn’t come from a wealthy family; Jacob saved up for years before he could afford the application fee to join the Dragon Knights.”

Leonidas nodded solemnly. “I know. I don’t care. He’s my friend, and now I’d like to get to know his sister--in more ways than one.” It was like he couldn’t help himself; his eyes took inventory of every curve this dress accentuated with a heady lust that made me blush. “Please, join me.” He pulled out my chair for me.

Despite his obvious desire to take this dress off me, there was something in his tone when he spoke about his people and my brother. Something told me he truly cared about them, that he was willing to put aside his differences with Grayson to ensure that his people stayed safe. It was for that reason, why I sat down.

The rest of dinner was somewhat respectable. We took turns asking each other questions, some were more personal than others, each one more surprising than the next, but mostly I had to keep him at a healthy distance from me. He even tried to share some of his duck with me when I told him I hadn’t tried it before--apparently it’d taste better if he fed it to me.

By the time dessert came around, the prince was completely comfortable around me, going as far as to rest his boots on the nearest chair--a very unprincely thing to do. If I had done that, which I wanted to, Grayson would have smacked me for being unladylike. So unfair.

“So,” Leonidas was saying, dabbing away some pie crumbs from the edge of his mouth, “I’ve been patient, but I must know why you aren’t accepting my compliments.” He gave me a drawl look, mockingly disappointed in me.

I crossed my arms--which was a mistake, because it pushed my breasts together, of which he began to ogle--then held my hands in my lap. “Because I know you’re just saying them to seduce me--which isn’t working, by the way.”

He seemed genuinely offended, brow furrowed. A strand of brown hair fell over his right eye, but he didn’t make a move to fix it--he was too focused staring at me, trying to assess me. “What if I told you that wasn’t true? What if I call you ‘my beauty’ because you are honestly one of the most beautiful women I have ever had the pleasure of meeting. You know, it’s not every day I spend hours with a woman over dinner.”

I couldn’t stop the blood rushing to my cheeks. Half of me knew this was all part of his game, but there seemed to be something so earnest in his eyes.

“Do you think I’d spend this much time getting to know someone if I didn’t actually want to get to know them?” he went on, relentless. “You’re more than Jacob’s sister or the storm dragon rider--you’re a fascinating, enchanting woman and it’s been a delight getting to know you.”

I didn’t know what to say. Suddenly his gaze was too much for me; I had to look somewhere else. This weirdly made me more uncomfortable than all the innuendos he’d started the evening with. He could stare at my breasts all day if it meant he'd stop talking like that.

I peered over to Grayson to see what I should do, but he was too busy glaring at Prince Leonidas to notice me. Damn him. Why couldn’t he look at me when I wanted him to? He couldn’t say something to make the prince stop?

“Who’s turn is it to ask questions?” I blurted, feeling completely frazzled.

The prince gave it some thought--though his eyes suggested his mind was elsewhere--then nodded to me. “It’s your turn.”

“It’s getting late,” Grayson announced abruptly. Where was this earlier?? “We have an early flight tomorrow. We should get going.”

Prince Leonidas gestured to the door. “If you’re tired, you’re more than welcome to leave, Runaway. I’ll gladly escort Eva to her room later. We haven’t gotten around to discussing our business yet.”

"I’m the escort,” Grayson growled between clenched teeth. ”I’ll be escorting her to our room.”

The prince was taken aghast. “This simply cannot do. A lady cannot sleep with a bunch of smelly Dragon Knights.”

I grinned at him, feeling my confidence grow again. “You forget I am one of those smelly Dragon Knights, Prince.” Guiltily, I peered over to Grayson, who looked like he wanted to leave, then back to the haughty prince. He was right about one thing: we haven’t talked about King Renkon’s plans--and that was the entire reason for this visit. “It is getting late, but let’s talk a little more before we call it a night.”

Prince Leonidas was positively thrilled at the idea, sitting up right in his chair and tossing Grayson a sneer. “Ask away, beauty. I’m all yours.”

“What are King Renkon's intentions for me?”

All joy deflated from his face. He sighed; he didn’t seem as eager to talk now. He played around with a fork a server left behind, tracing the lines in the mahogany table. “Honestly, with the list of things he wants you to do, he could get any Dragon Knight to do it. He just wants to flaunt you, rub it in the other kingdoms’ faces that he has you.” Shaking his head, he rolled his eyes, as if he couldn’t believe that was his father’s plan. “It’s ridiculous,” he went on, seeming frustrated now. “You haven’t even started your training yet. There’s nothing to flaunt--aside from your lovely assets.” He gestured devilishly to my body. “So I’m not going to tell you what he wants, because I’m not going to ask you to do it. Train for now. Become as strong as you can, master your magic. I’m not sending you to do frivolous things or into danger you’re not prepared for.”

I was so stunned by his response, the words, “Thank you” escaped my lips before I could think of anything better to say. Feeling like an idiot, I tucked a stray strand behind my ear and smiled at him. “I appreciate your honesty.”

“If I’ve learned anything from tonight, honesty is the way to get through to you. Besides, I like you too much to make you do stupid things.” He pulled out a piece of paper and wrote an address--more like a location--on it. “Here. I doubt the runaway or Annalyse can tell you much about your lightning magic, but this woman will help you. She’s the only other person Bound to a storm dragon. This is the last location she was sighted.”

Having absolutely no idea where this spot was, I handed it to Grayson, who immediately frowned then glared at Prince Leonidas. “You’re seriously sending her here? It’s in the middle of the Desert Lands--too close to Estrus.”

“That’s why she’ll do her Dragon Knight training first,” the prince sneered. “Once you lot are confident she can take care of herself, then she can go there. She’ll be the safest rider in the sky once she and her dragon have had the proper training.”

Grayson paused. It was true. Whether it was human or beast, most of them feared storm dragons. None would dare come near us--unless King Sylus sent them.

“Do whatever you feel comfortable doing, my beauty,” Prince Leonidas said with a charming smile. “We can always discuss these plans another time.”

I sighed. I bet he’d like another excuse to see me. “Thank you, Prince. I think it’s time to call it a night.” I stood beside Grayson, more than ready to head back.

The prince stood up as well, inclining his head respectfully. “Please, call me Leo. I much prefer it. ‘Prince’ is so formal.” He sneered at his title.

I curtsied. “All right. Have a good night, Leo.”

He kissed my knuckles. “Goodnight, Eva. Safe travels tomorrow, hmm?”

Feeling a massive weight leave my shoulders, I followed Grayson out of the room.

I did it. I survived a night with some royals. It honestly wasn’t as bad as I’d expected--and neither was the prince, once you got past all his innuendos.

We were silent in the halls. Whenever I peered over to Grayson, his jaw was grinding away, hand tight around the hilt of his sword. He glared at every servant we passed like they’d insulted his mother.

“Are you okay?” I asked him, hoping I wasn’t overstepping anything by asking him.

He abruptly stopped, looked at me, then to the door leading to a balcony. He peered around to see if there was anyone in the halls before pulling me outside. The air was cool against my skin. I inhaled as much as the corset would allow me, leaning on the stone railing. It was too warm in the castle for my liking; I was used to drafts and thin walls that couldn’t keep the heat in. It felt so good to be outside. And the view was beautiful. It was dark, but the city was lit with street lamps and some homes still had lights twinkling in the night. It reminded me of stars in the sky.

Grayson paced in front of the door, dragging his hands down his face. “I hate coming here,” he confessed roughly. “I hate that the second I step foot in this castle everyone treats me like dirt. I hate that I can’t do anything about it. I especially hate that I had to listen to him say those things to you and had to keep my mouth shut.”

I let out a low whistle. “That’s a lot of hate, there.” It was meant to relieve the tension, but he only looked like he wanted to rip my head off. I raised my hands in surrender. “Sorry. Not the time for jokes. Got it.”

He stopped in his tracks and threw his head back, looking up at the stars, and blew out a big, exasperated breath. “No, don’t apologize. I’m sorry.” He came and stood by the railing with me and took in the silent beauty of the city. The wind brushed his hair back, making it look softer than ever. I wanted to reach up and feel it against my fingertips. Instead, I laced my hands together as I leaned on the railing to catch more of the breeze; it threw my hair back and caressed my bare shoulders. It was a welcomed touch that cooled me down immensely.

“You didn’t believe the things Leo said to you, did you?” Grayson asked quietly, keeping his gaze on the city before us.

“What things? A lot was said, Grayson.” He may have had all night to think about the things said, but I didn’t. Leo was hard to keep up with.

“He called you beautiful and charming and all that other shit girls like to hear.”

“Oh.” I swallowed. “Well, I know I’m not the most graceful thing around here, even with this stupid powder and dress on, but it was nice of him to say something.”

He turned to me, leaning his elbow on the stone railing to get a better look at me. “That’s not what I meant, Eva. You are stunning, with or without the dress and makeup. I meant to ask. . .” he shifted uncomfortably and sucked in a deep breath, “if you’ve taken a liking to him. Leo can be very smooth with his words and I’d hate to see you become one of his floozies.”

Ha! That was what had gotten him all bothered? I gave him a playful shove. “What do you take me for, Grayson? It takes more than just compliments to woo me, you know.”

He seemed relieved, all the tension in his muscles finally relaxing. He turned back to the city. “Good. I was about to be very disappointed in you if you had let him get to you like that.”

“Please. I’d have an earful from Jacob if I fell for a prince. Plus, that’d mean I’d have to live here--with King Renkon. No, thank you.” Just the thought sent a shudder through me. Grayson mistook it for a chilly shiver and unclipped his cloak to wrap it around me. I was far from cold and the air was beyond refreshing, but his cloak smelt good, smelt like him, and I couldn’t bring myself to take it off.

He pulled my hair out from under the cloak so it was free to run down my back. “There are other princes in the world, you know. Jacob might even approve of one or two.” He raised his eyebrows at me in a silent challenge.

I screwed my face in disgust, thinking of the only other prince I had the displeasure of meeting. “Have you met any of them?”

“A few.”

“They’re not all bad, are they?”

He gave it some thought, gazing over the castle grounds. Bushes moved in the breeze, nearby trees creaking where the breeze was stronger, unprotected by the castle walls. “No. Not all of them.”

He smiled at me; his eyes always softened when they looked at me, though I’d done nothing to deserve it.

I cleared my throat and watched the city lights flicker. “Can I ask you something?”

“Of course.” His answer was so instant I felt bad for wanting to ask him about something so personal, fearing he’d regret giving me access so easily.

“Does Leo know about your family? If you’re trying to hide it, how did he find out?” Clearly Leo wouldn’t let him forget it either, despite the awful circumstances that had brought him here. It wasn’t right of him to rub it in.

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he bowed his head, letting his hair fall over his face. The strong muscles of his back stretched and coiled beneath his armour. “Leo knows. As prince of Aboria, he has every right to know who is in his kingdom. He knows what I’ve done--what my family does. What he doesn’t know is how I wish I’d left sooner than I had.” He sighed, finally looking at me with solemn--no, sad--eyes. “I did so many awful things for my family, Eva. The one good thing I did was leave.”

Feeling an overwhelming need to comfort him, I wrapped my arms around his waist. It didn’t matter if he wanted it or not. I needed it. I knew the pain in his eyes all too well. I still felt it whenever I thought about my family. “You’re not that person anymore. You’re a Dragon Knight--Bonded, no less. If no one else thinks you’re worthy, Eran does. I do.”

He shifted in my grasp to hold me tightly against him and rested his chin on top of my head. His heart beat strongly against my ear, as powerful as a centaur. “I’d be nothing without him, Eva.”

“That’s not true. You’d find a way to make things right, that’s just the kind of man you are.”

I held onto him for what felt like hours but was only a few minutes. Grayson pulled away, face weary yet whole, at peace. His knuckles grazed my cheekbone ever-so softly. My heart pounded in my chest, almost to the point of it being painful. I stared into those soulful gray eyes of his, getting lost in them, feeling as though I was flying and falling at the same time.

His eyes trailed down to my lips; my breath caught in my throat. We were alone out here, no one to see us. No one to stop us. The thought sent a thrill down my spine.

However, before I could even think about making a move, he turned away, muttering something about heading back. Of course he was right--it was getting ungodly late. Too late for inappropriate fantasies with my coworker. Obviously he felt the same way; he walked away briskly, as if I might infect him with a deadly disease if he got too close. He went slow enough to show me the way back to our room, at least.

Annalyse was asleep on the bed, curled up in the silken sheets. Jacob sat on the end, tapping his foot impatiently. As soon as we came through the door, he stood up. “What the hell did you talk about to be up so late?”

I shrugged at him, leaving Grayson to slip into the bathroom. “Leo’s actually interesting to talk to.”

My brother grimaced at the fact that I was on a first name basis with the prince.

I didn’t feel like talking about it anymore, so I rolled my eyes at him, picked up my pajamas and began taking off the gorgeous face painted on me in the vanity mirror.