PBPGD

CHAPTER 125

Camellia looked at Claude in disbelief.

When she first had that dream, it had plagued her for days. She had been pretending to be a man then, and Claude hadn't had any particular reason to doubt or dispute that pretense.

Of course, there were moments when they'd gone into the river together or when he'd carried her, but...

Camellia slapped Claude on the shoulder as hard as she could. "I don't believe you. You're lying."

"I'm not," Claude said, shaking his head. "My cufflinks had fallen and just happened to roll to a stop at your feet. I dropped down to pick them up and came face to face with the most beautiful person I'd ever seen. You can't possibly imagine the confusion I felt then. I was a wreck the whole way to Eteare—no, even after we arrived."

His large hands wove into her hair. Lia stared dazedly at his ocean-blue eyes. He let his gaze fall to her plump lips, raising a finger to graze them. When his fingertip lightly prodded between her lips, she opened them readily.

Leaning down, he captured her lips with his in a slow, burning kiss. His hand slid down to hitch up her skirt. They'd barely spent  any time together during the celebration, so he desperately craved her.

His hand slipped between her thighs, and Lia gripped his shoulders, nails digging into his flesh. Her breath hitched as her eyes began to tear up.

Claude slowed down, kissing her tears away. "I have another secret."

Lia was barely able to open her eyes. Claude breathed in deeply; her natural scent, coupled with her rose-scented body oil, was dizzyingly sensual.

"Remember the cotton candy?"

"Cotton... Oh, by the riverside?"

"Yes. It was Sergio who'd sent it to you, but I stole his opportunity."

"Is that so? I had no idea-" she started, but she was interrupted by Claude's lips.

He didn't want to hear Ian Sergio's name on her lips ever again. They were in a strategic alliance with Gaior, but Ian was a rival who pushed his limits.

Whenever he thought of how the Gaiorian prince had lied to him knowing full well that Camellius was a girl, his blood boiled.

"I can't believe you."

"I think that might have been the day. Actually, I don't know anymore. Perhaps it really was from the moment I first laid eyes on you."

"Liar."

"Where do you think my resolve stemmed from when I said I didn't care whether you were a man or an animal? I feel like you don't understand the pain I went through."

Lia didn't respond, but her fingers trembled as they grasped the sheets, her body arching in pleasure.

Sleet was pouring down outside. The shadow of the flames danced on the walls, warring against the cold air seeping through the window sills. The two bodies drew flush against each other, basking in each other's warmth as the night grew deeper.

*****

A fabulous spread was laid out in the main dining hall for a private breakfast. Wade, lan, Kieran, and Rosina were already gathered in the room when Jasmine stepped through the double doors, Cahrem in her arms, and Claude and Camellia behind them with Jessica holding both of their hands.

"My goddaughter's here," Ian said, spreading his shoulders wide.

"And my godson," Wade announced with a grin.

Jasmine sighed, bouncing Cahrem on her hip. "You two are incorrigible."

The small group tucked into their meals. Jessica set to work, her honey blond hair half-up, as she focused on cutting vegetables into small pieces. She then took Cahrem's bowl of baby food and blew on it to cool it down.