But Brion wasn’t expecting a response. The prince of draekon lowered his head and caught my lips against his. A tiny gasp escaped me, but it was masked by his mouth. I raised onto my toes and snaked my arms behind his neck.
Brion grabbed my waist and held me against him. He poured all of his affection into the kiss, and he didn’t stop until he smothered the last kindling of self-doubt from my mind.
38
I heard Lord Erwin grumble under his breath before the door to the cabin opened, and closed, with his departure.
I don’t know how long Brion and I kissed. My mind and body became wrapped up in him. I felt like I was going to burst with happiness and desire. Brion didn’t despise me, and he said he loved me.
It seemed like my entire life was turned upside down every other day, and that included learning about the ancient bond I shared with the powerful prince. Still, despite the chaos and uncertainty I was forced to face, I couldn’t deny the feeling of peace washing over me. It was the strangest thing. It almost felt like my soul knew I was exactly where I needed to be and with whom I needed to be.
I’d never romantically loved a male, but I imagined the feelings I experienced were awfully close.
When Brion finally pulled back, I was gasping for breath.
“Air,” he exhaled, sounding just as winded as me. “Let’s get some air.”
I followed him without question. His strong hand led me through the galley to the main deck. I was nervous about what the elven sailors would do when they saw the draekon prince walking on their ship, but my worries proved unfounded. There wasn’t a soul on the deck aside from me and Brion. Erwin must have ordered the men below deck.
The prince didn’t stop walking until we stood at the bow of the ship. He moved me in front of him. My stomach pressed against the railing as I stared out at the dark sea. Brion’s forearms caged me in on either side. His warmth caused my body to shiver.
“How did you get on the ship?” I was interested to know how he’d managed to get onboard without anyone noticing.
“I scaled the stern and snuck through the galleys when no one was looking. I found Erwin in his cabin, but you weren’t there. He advised I try not to make my presence known until he had the chance to speak with you.”
I stared out into the night, stunned to learn Brion had been in the cabin the entire evening. “You always planned to come back.”
“Yes.” Brion bent down and kissed the back of my neck. “As Erwin explained, it was all an act to keep you safe.”
I’d been so dejected when I saw Brion fly away from me. I thought he was abandoning me to some unknown fate.
“You l-left me.” My broken voice revealed the depth of my hurt.
“I know.”
I blinked to keep my tears at bay. “I’d thought you’d lied to me. That it was all a horrible, elaborate trick.”
“I’m sorry, Lissa. Truly, I never wanted you to feel that way.
My eyes fixated on the stars in the distance. I was not happy with Brion’s methods, but I could understand the reasons behind the heart wrenching act. He needed his abandonment to be believable.
I just wished I hadn’t been subjected to the deception, too.
I decided to resolve my anger. After all, I had bigger things to worry about.
“What do we do now?” I asked into the night. “Where are we going?”
“You are sailing to Lord Erwin’s private island. It is off the coast of Avelin, but it is safe. No one will know you are there.”
“Let me guess, my half-draekon, half-elven blood makes me a target on Avelin, too?” The truth of the prejudices in the elven kingdom lessened its allure.
“We won’t know until the time comes to reveal yourself to King Aquin.”
Surprised, I turned around and leaned my back against the railing. “Is that the plan? To introduce me to King Aquin?”
Brion traced a finger down my cheek. “Yes, but not right away. I will go back to Draekon tonight and find your family.”
“No,” I interrupted. “Who’s to say they won’t capture or harm you?”
Brion didn’t share my fears. “Trust me, finding and speaking to your family won’t be the most dangerous mission of my life. I’ll be careful. Once I contact your family, I will bring them to the island. Then, as a family, you will reveal yourself to King Aquin.”
“What if I don’t want to meet the king?” I’d already encountered one horrible ruler. I wasn’t sure I wanted to face another.
I felt Brion’s chest press against me as he sighed. “Then we will think of another plan.”
I chewed the inside of my cheek. His words relieved my anxiety, but a small voice told me that meeting the elven king, my grandfather, was something I needed to do.
Resigned, I closed my eyes, but admitted, “I don’t want to be without you.” I hated how pathetic I sounded. But it was the truth.
I trusted Erwin, but not like I trusted Brion. I didn’t want to face the unknown without him. I wanted him with me. Always.
Brion growled low in his throat. “I want to be with you always, too. And I promise I will return as soon as I can.”
It took me a second to realize Brion had read my thoughts. His admission made me blush, and I lowered my gaze to the base of his throat.
“But the most important thing is to keep you safe,” Brion continued. “I believe Erwin’s interpretation of the cursed lovers prophecy. You, Amelissa Allaway, are the key to ending the draeko-elven conflict.” He tucked a finger under my chin and gently lifted my head until I met his gaze.
I didn’t correct him by saying it was me and my siblings who were supposedly the key to ending the centuries old wars between the two powerful creatures.
Again, Brion seemed to read my thoughts. “You are my priority, Lissa. My father has played his hand by withdrawing negotiations with Avelin. I don’t want to contribute to his death, but I will not stand by and allow him the chance to harm you. I wouldn’t survive it.”
Staring into his concerned eyes, it was impossible not to believe him. “I feel the same,” I breathed, mesmerized by the fact a male was looking at me with such devotion. I hoped it would never end.
A beat passed, and I saw Brion swallow. He leaned forward and rested his forehead against mine.
I let the moment consume me. I never wanted to forget the way I felt standing so close to Brion. There was no denying our connection, and I felt an acute sense of fear at the thought of ever losing it.
“Promise me you will be safe.” I couldn’t hide the quiver in my voice.
Brion’s arms tightened around me. “Nothing in this world will keep me from you, Amelissa Allaway. Not prophecies, not your heritage, and definitely not my father. You will help end this conflict, and the world will be a better place.”
The speech was everything I wanted to hear, mixed with the potential realization of my darkest fears.
I didn’t know why, but I believed my family was the key to ending centuries of bloodshed and violence.
I understood such an accomplishment wouldn’t come without a cost. But maybe, just maybe, we could lift the curses that kept so many innocent humans under the tyrannical thumb of King Roderick without risking the lives of those I held dear.
A girl could only hope.
To be continued in
Freed, the final book in the Curse of the Draekon series.
Acknowledgments
Once again, I’d like to give a HUGE shoutout to my editor, Rebecca Jaycox. I cringed reading so many comments you left regarding inconsistencies and grammatical errors, but I appreciate your thoroughness more than you know! You are so talented, and I appreciate you using your skill to help make my work the best it can be.
Thanks again to Daqri at Covers by Combs for another stunning cover. You are seriously gifted!
To my family and friends, I love you all. Thank you so much for all of your support.
And last but not least, thank you to every reader who emailed/messag
ed/posted to tell me how much they loved Chosen and looked forward to Possession’s release. I hope you enjoyed the continuation of Lissa’s story!
About the Author
Samantha Britt is an avid reader and enthusiastic writer of new adult and young adult paranormal and fantasy novels. When not lost in the fictional world, you can find her in Texas. More often than not, she will be busy making memories with her precious family which includes Sam, Dan, and their mini-goldendoodle, Bailey.
To see more of Samantha’s work, visit
www.SamanthaBrittBooks.com
[email protected]
Also by Samantha Britt
CURSE OF THE DRAEKON
Chosen
Possession
Freed - Coming Winter 2018
THE FALLEN HAREM
Claimed by the Fallen
Hunted by the Fallen - Fall 2018
THE IMMORTAL CHRONICLES
Enlightened
Ensnared
Envisioned
Enraptured
Enticed: An Immortal Chronicles Story
Endured: Thane’s Story
Envied: Gregory’s Story - Coming Fall 2018
DUAL COURT
Will of Fate
Work of Fate
Waiting for Fate
Possession Page 26