Reluctant Prince (32 page)

Chayce shoved Jackson’s hand away.

He stared hard at Jackson for one last second before shoving past him and striding down the corridor.

Jackson heaved in a deep breath and watched his brother go. Couldn’t anything go smoothly? He raked a hand back through his hair.

“You okay?”

A glint caught his attention, and he lowered his gaze to see the dagger clutched firmly at Ryleigh’s side. Laughter escaped. “Were you going to protect me?”

Ryleigh blushed. She lowered her gaze and caught her lower lip between her teeth. “Someone had to.” She peeked up at him from beneath her lashes.

His heart quivered. “Oh, yeah?” He moved slowly toward her.

When they stood toe to toe, he reached out to grip her hand in his, slid the dagger from her, bent over, and tucked it back into her boot.

“Will you two be okay?” Ryleigh stared down the corridor in the direction Chayce had gone.

Jackson shrugged. “I guess.” He shook his head. “I just don’t know. Everything is falling apart, and I don’t know where to even begin to fix it all. Some king I am, huh?”

He rested his hand against the wall behind her head.

She sucked in a deep breath, held his gaze.

Jackson slid his hand into the hair at the back of her head and leaned her back against the wall. His lips grazed hers, but he pulled back to stare into her eyes.

Finding not only acceptance, but heat as well, he leaned back in and nipped her lower lip. Fire burned through him, heating him to his very core. He pressed his body against hers, needed to be closer.

The urge to claim her was impossible to resist. He covered her mouth with his. Primal instincts kicked in, ancient impulses took over, and the words of the claiming ceremony tumbled through his mind. They didn’t need to be spoken aloud.

Ryleigh’s mind would become one with his as the ritual progressed.

Her hands pressed firmly against his chest, and she turned her head away. She dropped her head back against the wall, exposing her throat to him.

Jackson took a step back, wrestling his desire, struggling to maintain a precarious hold on his control.

“Jackson.” Her breathless whisper sent a thrill coursing through him. “You have to stop. We have to talk.”

The groan slipped out, though he tried to contain it. “We’re meant for each other, Ryleigh. Can’t you feel it?”

“I’m not arguing that, Jackson, but I can’t stay here with you right now.”

His heart shattered.

“I’m not saying I can’t ever stay here, or that I don’t want to be with you. Mia needs me. She doesn’t have anyone else.” Pain filled her eyes.

This decision wasn’t easy for her, and it softened the anger trying to surface.

He pulled her back into his arms, but the sense of urgency, the need to be one with her, had diminished to a more manageable level. “It’ll be okay, Ryleigh. There’s so much going on right now.”

She snuggled against him, pressed her cheek against his chest.

He held her close, reveled in the sense of comfort her warmth and closeness brought him. He rested his chin on the top of her head, smoothed her hair. “We’ll work it out. Will you at least spend some time here with me?”

She tried to move back.

He dropped a kiss on her head before releasing her.

She looked up at him and smiled. “Of course, I’ll visit you here, and you can visit me too.”

Jackson laughed, he couldn’t help it. “So you’re saying you want to date?”

She joined his laughter. “I guess it is kind of bizarre.” She shrugged, her eyes lit with joy. “But, yeah, I guess, I want to be your girlfriend.”

He hugged her again and nestled his face into her hair, inhaled deeply. Strawberries. The smell of strawberries would forever remind him of Ryleigh.

“There you two are.” Mia rounded the corner with Dakota at her side. “I found him.” She turned to call to someone behind her.

Jackson kept his arm around Ryleigh’s neck as they met Mia and Dakota. “Hey, kiddo, how are you feeling?”

“I’m doing okay. I feel better after being back in my realm for a while.”

“Jackson.” Elijah called to him as he strode down the corridor. He approached Jackson and bowed. “It is time.”

“Time?”

“You must address your people now. They’re waiting for you to ascend the throne and re-assure them that everything is under control.”

Yeah right. “So, you’re saying you want me to step up and lie to them?”

Elijah reached out and clasped Jackson’s shoulder. “You will do fine, My King.” He didn’t wait for Jackson to follow, simply walked away without looking back.

Jackson held is hand out to Ryleigh. “Will you come with me?”

“Sure.” She placed her hand in his.

Jackson and Ryleigh started toward the stairs, but Jackson stopped, turned back. “Aren’t you coming?”

Dakota took Mia’s hand and the two ran to catch up.

The four of them climbed the spiral staircase together and crossed through the curtain to the balcony.

Cheers, whistles, and applause filled the night.

A rush of pride shot through Jackson. He gripped Ryleigh’s hand and pulled her close.

Dakota stood at his side with Mia.

Jackson lifted a hand to his people.

Their voices thundered in acceptance.

He squeezed Ryleigh’s hand. It would all work out.

“People of Cymmera…”

Dani-Lyn lives on Long Island with her husband, three kids and three dogs. She loves spending time with her family, at the beach, the playground, or just about anywhere. In her spare time, which is rare, she enjoys reading and shopping—especially in book stores. Some of her favorite things include; Bernese Mountain Dogs, musicals, bubble baths and soft blankets. She’s an incurable insomniac, and she has an addiction to chocolate.

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Lyrical Press books are published by

Kensington Publishing Corp. 119 West 40th Street New York, NY 10018

Copyright © 2014 Dani-Lyn Alexander

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.

Lyrical Press and the L logo are trademarks of Kensington Publishing Corp.

First Electronic Edition: November 2014

ISBN-13: 978-1-61650-567-7