PHOENIX    I’m gathering up the supplies I used, still thinking of what Kiara had been about to say, on one hand and on the other hand, what I was going to make the prince for breakfast. Not to mention, how am I going to face him so soon after what happened? It is nothing! I try to convince my traitorous mind because I shouldn’t even be thinking of that. So what if they were fooling around, she is going to be his wife anyways and really, what I should be focused on is my job.

PHOENIX    I’m surrounded by darkness. That is the first thing I notice when I wake up. The next is, there is someone on the bed beside me. At first, I was calm, thinking it might be Tanya or Kiara, before I remember they both left for the palace before me while I was in my morning rush. I search my brain for the missing pieces in my memory. When everything settles into place, I sit up with so much force, I have to stay for a little while to stop from falling back because I felt the bed move beneath me. stars dance in my vision even after I stay back and try to control my breathing. The fact that every inhale is filled

EZRA    I try to not think too much of Phoenix being in my bed, in my chambers but it is pretty hard to ignore as I walk out of the room. I fight the small smile tugging at my lips as I close the door behind me. I don’t lock it, though I’m slightly worried she wouldn’t listen to me and might get out of bed. She needs to rest and I’m going to make sure she rests. It is why I sent for Kiara, the maid Nate told me she was close to. It was a no-brainer, and when he told me she’d been hurt earlier by Sibel, it made me want to give her a break. All she needs to do is sit and make sure Phoenix rests.

EZRA    I’m still thinking of all Nate told me hours later. I don’t think I’ll be able to stop and that makes things more complicated than I thought. He didn’t find the masked man, but I wasn’t really disappointed about that. I didn’t think he would be found this soon. What he found out regarding dark powers is what has me on edge. I need to protect Phoenix by all means. I pinch the bridge between my eyes and I shut them. I need to think. I can’t think. This entire thing is terrible. &ld

PHOENIXI should have stepped back when I saw the intent on Prince Ezra’s face, but it felt like I was rooted to my spot. When he took the next step forward, I should have moved back but my body betrayed me and I felt myself leaning toward him. I can’t tell who took the final step but I remember clearly, the feel of his lips against mine. So soft, so warm and so freaking inviting.I want to be kissed by this man for the rest of my life. I push that thought away and bring my hands up to push the man off too, but when my hand touches the hard planes of his chest, I find myself gripping the fabric of his shirt and pulling him closer.Prince Ezra might have been holding back but that single move from me gives him the go ahead and his hand slips to my waist and one dips lower, touching my ass. I jump a little, not fully moving away from him.He deepens the kiss, his other hand growing bolder and tracing up my body, my hips, waist and the sides of my breasts. I gasp out, giving him room to