Page 17 of Outnumbered
“It’s actually a pretty common gift for those courting to give the woman,” Riddick said. “Since part of courting is proving your ability to provide safety and protection.”
“I’m more concerned with how you treat me emotionally than your ability to beat someone up.” But it was pretty sexy to watch them fight to protect me.
Caleb’s phone pinged and he glanced down to read a message. “Ezio is here, are you ready to go?”
Holding my arm up to look at the pretty new bracelet, I nodded.
Caleb took my hand and tucked it into his arm, patting it gently. “Then let’s be on our way.”
Triston pulled open the door with a bow.
Stepping outside, I was immediately blinded by a barrage of camera flashes and shouting.
Caleb slipped his arm around my waist and tugged me against his side, immediately making me feel safe. “Good evening,” he said over the noise. “Can you please stop shouting and scaring Ember?”
The voices ceased and the camera flashes decreased tenfold.
“Thank you,” he said. Glancing up, I saw him smiling for them, but it was tense. “Ms. Martin, you have a question?”
“Yes, we wanted to ask how you’re adjusting to a relationship similar to your parents’?”
“There are trials and tribulations for every relationship, are there not?” he asked.
Several people chuckled.
“Can you tell us about yourself, miss Ember?” one of the people asked.
“Were you always interested in Prince Caleb? Did you travel here to try to catch his eye?”
“What’s it like dating a prince?”
“Did you draw those creatures in hopes of attracting Prince Caleb’s attention?”
The questions were shouted so quickly that I didn’t even get a chance to draw a breath to answer before the next was asked.
“It seems you’ve all been misinformed,” Caleb said sternly. “I found Ember while investigating a rogue mage near her home in West City. It was I who initiated our relationship, not her.”
An older male with glasses holding a pen and paper while scowling asked, “And you two? Did you know Ember before? What do you think about having to share her with the prince?”
Triston stepped up next to me and said, “I don’t have to do anything, sir. Branson and I chose this the same as Ember, Riddick, and Prince Caleb chose this. We are all consenting parties who want to pursue this pack and relationship to see if we might convince our lovely little Ember to stay with us the rest of her life.” He looked down and winked at me, making me blush.
“If you’ll excuse us, we’re on our way to take this beautiful woman on a date. Thank you.” Caleb tugged me forward and the reporters separated, but the camera flashes began again.
Ezio stood at the curb with a black SUV, doors opened and waiting for us. “All good?” he asked.
Caleb nodded. “Seems like someone is spreading rumors about how Ember and I met. Or they’re just speculating and trying to fish information from us.”
“You could just make a public announcement,” Ezio suggested. He looked down at me and smiled. “You look lovely, Ember.”
“Thanks, Ezio.” I climbed into the SUV and buckled my seatbelt.
“Where to?” Ezio asked once everyone was inside and doors were shut.
“District Seven,” Caleb answered.
District Seven was one of the most popular dance clubs in the city. There were always celebrities going there and royalty, like Caleb’s uncles and cousins. I had never heard of him visiting it though. The only reason I even knew about the club was because they talked about it on the news often.
“Understood,” Ezio said and started driving.