Page 32 of Claimed By the Crown Prince

‘Because you’re engaged.’

Laia scowled at him, but was grateful for the diversion. ‘No, because very soon I’ll be crowned Queen and I have a life of duty ahead of me.’

‘You’ll have to marry and have heirs, whether it’s to Ari or someone else of royal lineage.’

‘Yes, I’m aware of that. But my husband will be my choice.’

‘Why won’t you justdothis?’

There was an edge to Dax’s voice that Laia felt deep inside. His frustration was evident. It made her prickly.

She turned to face him, trying to make him understand. ‘Because if I marry Aristedes then Isla’Rosa becomes a suburb of Santanger, no matter how he might deny it. We’ve carved out our independence and identity after years of conflict—’

‘Exactly,’ interjected Dax. ‘Wouldn’t this bring peace once and for all?’

Laia shook her head. ‘Not at the cost of our independence. It’s too much. I want to lead our people out of the past and into a modern, bright future. I know that’s going to be a challenge, but I can do it. My path is side by side with Santanger, not as a part of it. Peace is possible through other routes.’

Dax just looked at her, and Laia hated it that it mattered to her that hegotit. She sensed that he sympathised with where she was coming from, but his loyalty to his brother trumped his own instincts. He was loyal to his brother, not to her, and that made total sense so why did it matter?

Because you already care what he thinks of you. You want his loyalty.

That incendiary thought drove Laia to her feet, her kaftan gripped in her hand.

‘Look, Dax, you’ve abdicated your responsibilities—for whatever reason. You live your life from day to day, free to choose what you want when you want, with no one dictating to you how you’re to live your life. You just don’t get it. How can you?’

Laia went to walk away, but before she could take two steps Dax’s hand was around her arm and he was whirling her back to face him. His face was like thunder.

‘What the hell is that supposed to mean?’

Laia gulped. But not out of pain. Dax was barely holding her arm. It was because he was suddenly so close. And he was bristling.

‘Abdicated my responsibilities?’

Laia pulled her arm free. Weakly, she said, ‘I don’t know what arrangement you have with your brother, but it’s not as if you live a life full of royal duty.’

Dax’s mouth was thin. ‘No, youdon’tknow anything about our arrangement, Princess. Maybe I had responsibilities that you know nothing about. Responsibilities that meant my brother got to focus on his job without being burdened by—’ He stopped abruptly.

Laia wanted to ask,Burdened bywhat?But she kept her mouth shut. She wondered if he was talking about his mother.

‘The way I live my life is none of your concern,’ he said. ‘Or anyone else’s. Except maybe my brother’s.’

Laia couldn’t look away from Dax’s eyes. They were so blue it hurt. They should have been icy, but she felt warm. And it wasn’t the sun or the humidity.

She knew she should leave this alone, but words were spilling out before she could censor them. ‘Did something happen? So Aristedes allowed you to walk away...?’

Dax’s face tightened. His voice was a growl. ‘Leave it alone, Laia, you have no idea what you’re talking about.’

But it was there in his eyes, deep inside. Incredible pain. His whole body was vibrating with tension.

Without even realising what she was doing she moved closer. She’d dropped the kaftan to the sand...hadn’t even noticed.

Dax said warningly, ‘Laia—’

She put her hand on his bare chest. Exactly as she’d wanted to the other day. Dax’s eyes flared. He put his hand over hers. But he didn’t pull her hand away.

His skin was warm. Still damp from the sea. She could feel his heart. Strong and steady. Maybe a little fast. Like hers. His hand felt huge, enveloping hers.

‘Laia, what are you doing?’