Blood Royals Bonus Book: Prince Adryan & the Throne

Chapter 23: Damsel or Selina?

Selina's POV
"...Come on now. Who are you?"

Adryan's deep voice startled me out of sleep. I have been in and out of it since they attended to me. I don't k iw what they gave me. I'm in an infirmary. A few men in army uniforms have been in and out. The girls are the constants.

I slipped my hand into Adryan's. It will be er stop feeling safe when I hold his hand. He quickly paid attention to me.

"Hey." His smile for me grew. "Girls... can you please wait outside?"

"Are you in pain? Tell me. We are in an infirmary surrounded by medicine."

If they pump wlme with any more medicine, I'll sleep forever.

"I am in pain. Some bastard shot me twice."

He raised my clothing to look at the bandaged side. He made a face. His expression is not one of a man who will let this go.

"Was the bastard found?"

"Ask your mother. I was carried through the gates and I woke up in a ship. I need to tell you something."

It's time to tell him about the girls and about Clover. I will have to explain how I got injured. The Queen was gracious enough ask the girls to be silent on the matter.

"It can wait." I fought the tears in my eyes. Will he leave me?"Selina, dear, it can wait."

"The reason... the girls.... these girls are among the ones who were taken from Fisherman Cove."

"What?" Surprise registered in his green eyes. There is no slowing down. I may as well say it as it is.

"I thought Clover was among them. They confirmed that Clover made it to the Chrystal Isles. She was alive." I observed his shocked reaction. "Adryan, Clover is alive."

He suddenly dropped my hand and moved  away from me. He's no longer gazing at me fondly. It feels like a perfect summer day at the beach and then a sudden storm. I feel cold.

"What did you say about Clover?"

"I believe she's alive."

"How long have you known about th girls? When did you find out about them?"

I forced myself to sit up. He didn't bother to help. I made fierce eye contact with him. "The night we shared a bed. That is when I found out about Lucy."

He dragged his fingers through his dark hair. "You didn't think to tell me? What the fucking hell Selina? You didn't think to tell me?"

"I was going to! But then you kissed me and everything just became a blur! For that moment I wanted you to myself. All of you. All your attention."

"I was in the Chrystal Isles that night. You could have told me that information. I wouldn't have left. I would have turned that damn island upside down until I found her!" He raised his voice at me. "You had no right! You had no right to keep that from me Selina! No right!"

I got out of bed in a feeble attempt to follow him. "Adryan I'm sorry!"

He stopped. "I trusted you! I trusted you to always be honest with me! What the hell is this? Why are you lying to me Selina?"

Because I love you Adryan. Because I have fallen in love with you and I want you to myself.

"Adryan-" I tried to touch him but he grabbed my wrist.

"You know I love her. Why would you keep such vital information from me?"

"You promised me no wedding ring. You said a commitment is a maybe. But you promised that it will be only me. Can I still hold you to that promise?"