late. The woman stood in front of her taking her in with an amused smirk curling her full lips.
“So, you are King Baltrasard’s daughter?” she asked in a tone as silky and flowing as her splendid gown.
“Yes.” Willow lifted her gaze and stared directly into Shauna’s eyes, then almost huffed when his sister didn’t look away. Everyone knew that the lower born did not blatantly stare at nobles. When a long, treacherous moment had passed, and the pale beauty still didn’t look away, Willow offered her hand. Surely now the woman would know enough to bow her head.
But Shauna barely looked at her offering.
As if sensing his sister’s short temper about to be unleashed, Caleb cleared his throat and nudged Shauna forward. “This is Princess Willomenia, Shauna.”
Shauna raised her eyebrows at him, still ignoring Willow’s outstretched hand. “Princess?” she echoed, offering her brother a challenging stare. For a moment it looked as if she were going to say something more, but her brother’s deadly glare silenced the curt response on her tongue. “You must be tired from your journey.” She practically hissed at Willow. “My brother, the commoner…” She gave him another glance and smiled through her teeth. “…tells me that he took you from the castle and you have had quite a hard time.”
Willow responded with a cheeky smile of her own. “The journey here was hard. I am unaccustomed to the heat and danger of the plains, but your brother protected me well.” She had only said it because she suspected that it would anger Caleb’s sister further, but looking at the tall, lithe Warrior, Willow realized it was true. He had kept her safe, risked his own life for her.
Caleb studied her over Shauna’s shoulder, his eyes narrowing in an effort to figure out why she had just taken his side. His rich, brilliant smile grew into a wide grin when Willow’s cheeks dusted pink at the way he was looking at her.
The silent looks that passed between them didn’t go unnoticed by Shauna and she turned to face her brother who was still grinning from ear to ear. “So let me get this straight. You and Baltrasard’s daughter are something now and you have the nerve to judge me with Ermile?” Before he answered, she continued. “Yes, he is quite the hero, my brother, the commoner.” She shook her head when he tossed her another glare. Unable to look at him another second, she turned back to Willow. “Come with me and you can freshen up.”
Willow hesitated, following her down the hall, mesmerized by the sight of the man before her, once his sister was out of the way. “I will see you later?” she finally breathed.
Caleb blinked and time slowed, allowing her to savor the length of his lashes falling over his cheeks, the subtle, calming beauty of his eyes. And when he clasped her hand and brought it to his lips, her knees felt like warm honey and her lips parted as if he was kissing them instead. What was happening to her? Panic licked her spine. What was she allowing to happen here? He was so passionate in his love of Predaria that he had dedicated his life to it. But it was that passion that frightened her. Nothing would stand in his way. Not her father. Not even her.
“Your Highness?” Shauna drawled sarcastically from the stairs, yanking Willow from her thoughts.
Caleb’s gaze followed Willow’s lithe figure until she disappeared around a dimly lit corner. When she was gone, he took a deep breath and leaned his back against the wall. He was as surprised by his feelings for Willow as she was about her feelings for him. Out of all the people in Predaria why did it have to be King Baltrasard’s daughter who haunted his dreams at night? Why did it have to be her scent that halted his breath? His heart ached for her no matter how much he denied it. He cursed his flesh, his heart, his mind for wanting her so, for she had the power to destroy him, to destroy Predaria.
“Why did you bring her here?”
Caleb opened his eyes a few minutes later and met his sister’s venomous glare. “Because it’s my house.” He brushed past her and entered the sitting room where sunlight filtered through the large window, bathing the room with warm columns of gold.
“You could have been a bit more pleasant, Shauna,” he said knowing she was hot on his heels. He threw himself