Read Online Lost Princess by Dani-Lyn Alexander - Free Book Online Page B

instinct, obviously, had happened too quickly to be anything else. The knowledge didn’t lessen the pain.
    “Jackson.”
    Her voice burned through him, like salt in an open wound.
    He didn’t even slow his stride.
    “Please, Jackson. Wait.”
    He couldn’t talk to her right now, couldn’t face her. Would he have struck her? Of course not. He’d only lifted his hand to point a finger in warning. Was that much better? The internal battle threatened his sanity. Was the pressure so great he would lash out in such a way at the woman he loved? The woman he’d fought so hard to keep from claiming? Because she wasn’t ready?
    Maybe that was the problem. Once he claimed her, maybe the jealousy would lessen. Maybe the fear of losing her would stop tormenting him.
    Her hurried footsteps echoed off the damp stone walls, hammered through his pounding head.
    He whirled to face her.
    She stopped short, her hand flying to her chest. Her gaze fell on his hardened expression, and she gasped.
    He ached with the need to pull her into his arms. To apologize for…well…everything. To claim what was rightfully his. He took a step toward her. Another. He could do nothing to soften his expression or his words, though he desperately wanted to. “I have nothing to say to you, Ryleigh.” He straightened his spine, strengthening his resolve.
    “Jackson, please. We need to talk about this…” Her lower lip quivered. “I don’t want to fight with you. Please. We can work this out.”
    Regret rode him hard. He inhaled deeply, the moldy odor, the dampness, and his runaway emotions practically choking him. He had to escape the underground tunnel, had to be free, needed air. Sensations he couldn’t understand threatened to suffocate him. They could talk later, once he’d calmed down, when he wouldn’t have to be afraid of saying something that might chase her away. Something he’d regret.
    Tears streamed unchecked down her cheeks. Sobs wracked her delicate frame.
    He buried the urge to protect her. Maybe she needed protection from him. Turning his back on her and walking away proved to be the most difficult thing he’d ever done. But he did do it. For the second time.
    He jogged up the stairs and out into the light, greedily gulping the fresh, clean air into his aching lungs. He whistled, one long, shrill sound.
    Ryleigh, Chayce, Elijah…all of them angry with him, judging him, condemning him. They knew nothing of the responsibilities weighing on his shoulders, crushing him.
    The familiar black shape emerged from behind the castle and flew toward him. Nika.
    Jackson stood still, waiting for the hound to reach him. His rigid muscles would have held him rooted to the ground even if he’d wanted to move. Some king he was.
    Nika landed smoothly beside him and lowered his massive head to be pet.
    Jackson weaved his fingers into the long, thick mane of black fur surrounding Nika’s head. The comfort was almost immediate, soothing the rawest of his nerves. He buried his face in the hound’s neck.
    Nika nuzzled him, almost knocking him off his feet.
    A small burst of laughter surprised him. “It’s okay, boy.” It would be all right. Everything would work out. He just had to reign in his temper, gain some sort of control over his feelings. He climbed onto Nika’s back. The giant hound took two steps and launched himself into the air, his giant wings spreading behind Jackson.
    Jackson guided Nika toward the fields at the front of the castle, dipped between the spires, weaved between the towers, narrowly avoiding a collision. Adrenaline pumped through him, forcing the tension to recede. They rounded the last tower, and Nika dove. Jackson threw his hands in the air, his stomach lurching into his throat at the steep descent. The wind tore through his hair, whipping it behind him. They hurtled toward the ground, aiming directly for the place where his mother had once stood. The exact spot where she’d given her life to save her kingdom. His