The Fallen Prince

17

Ciaran's POV:

As horrible as it sounds, I almost hope that Rowan's pathetic extension of his family tries to insult him and myself, because then I will have the honor of defending him. Not only that, but I still have a lot of pent up anger for my old Master, Daliah, and Vladimir, so it would be nice to take that out on Rowan's family because in my eyes as of now, they are not good people.

I should not judge people before I meet them, but Rowan's words struck a cord with me; Master always poked fun at me and expressed his amusement over my parents' death, and knowing that others have done that to Rowan over the death of his dad makes me so angry.

No one should ever make this beautiful man cry; he deserves so much better. He deserves to spend all of his days in happiness, to be able to see both of his fathers at dinner, to be fulfilled and not have to worry about a war that came at the expense of my weakness and inability to defend my own home.

We are laying in his bed; Rowan with a towel wrapped around his waist, while I lay in his robe with the front open, and I wear undergarments so my privates are not out in the open for everyone to see, though I doubt Rowan would mind.

"This is one of the reasons I adore you," Rowan says, and I am confused, because we are not doing anything. He must understand this, because he speaks before I have a chance. "By this, I mean we do not have to be doing anything in order for the two of us to be enjoying ourselves. We can merely be lying here, enjoying our time together and that is enough."

His words always have a way of making my insides warm, and every part of me want to lay with him and hold him until the day I die.

"We are an exquisite pair," I say, smiling as I reach across the extra sheets that Ivan laid on the bed, to grab Rowan's hand in my own, rubbing the back of his hand with my thumb. "Every day I am more thankful that you took me with you."

Rowan turns his head, looking over at me, his dark eyes staring through me. "I cannot thank you enough for disobeying your fears and that pathetic excuse of a Master and saving me. Even though I could have left you behind and you would have been hurt for what you did, you still helped me, and I am forever in your debt."

"You took me away from there. We owe each other," I argue, scooting closer to Rowan and wrapping my arm around his shoulder and putting my other hand on his heart.

I try to keep myself from blushing because his chest is extremely broad and I would very much appreciate if he laid on me and pressed our chests together. Maybe we'd even kiss, but I need to keep those thoughts from my mind at the moment.

"I cannot believe the gods have blessed me with the chance to be near you, to have a chance to be with you, if you'll still have me."

My heart speeds up and I watch as Rowan pushes himself up on his side, cupping my cheek with one of his hands. Oh gods, he's leaning in! Do I lean in, too?!

Agh, I suppose I'll figure it out as I go!

I lean in toward Rowan's lips, my eyes closing and hoping he will guide me through my first real, meaningful kiss. However, as soon I feel his breath on my lips, there is a loud knock at the door, making my start and pull away from him.

Rowan looks a little hurt, but it is overshadowed by annoyance. He glares at the door and wraps his arms around me, dragging my body into his chest.

"Gods, I despise these people who keep interrupting us!" he whispers in my ear, rubbing my back and glaring past me at the door.

A shrill voice calls through the door. "Rowaaaan! I know you're in there!" a girl shrieks, and I know it is probably the horrible cousin that Rowan spoke of.