Page 20 of Gifted to the Alien Prince
Soft blue and silver banners hung beside windows, fluttering in the cold breeze. The rooftops were dusted with fresh snow. I shivered as I took it all in, struck by how the palace seemed to blend seamlessly with the landscape. Thadron exhaled beside me. His posture eased, as if the palace’s presence granted him permission to let go, if only just a little.
He dismounted with a warrior’s athletic grace. He turned to offer me a hand down from the frostgrazer. "We managed to get ahead of the others. Let's get you warmed up inside while we wait for them."
I regained my footing on the ground while he led the way into the palace. He didn’t wait for an entourage or call for aides. We went through the grand hall and then to a smaller private chamber.
A bed, draped in thick quilts of deep blue and silver, sat in the center of the room, its frame carved with swirling designs that mimicked the winter winds. In the adjoining room was a heath with a stack of wood beside it. There, Thadron moved with purpose to build a fire. The flames took to life under his skilled hands, crackling and spreading warmth into the space. He caught my gaze across the fire, and I saw the flicker of something unguarded in his eyes.
"Here," he said, handing me a blanket he got from the bed. He draped it around my shoulders. "This should help. I’ll get water for tea."
“You know what I like.” I snuggled in the blanket.
“I’ll just be a few minutes.” He disappeared from the room and returned shortly with two steaming mugs. The scent ofspiced berries filled the air as he handed one to me. “It’s glimrin berry tea. You know what I like.” He gave a shrug that was borderline adorable.
“Of course. Thank you." I clutched the warm mug like a lifeline. We sat close by the fire, the warmth seeping into my skin, but it couldn’t compete with the quiet heat building between us.
For a while, the only sounds were the gentle crackle of the flames and the occasional rush of wind against the windows. Thadron’s eyes reflected the fire’s glow, his jaw tight as if he were holding something back.
Finally, he exhaled slowly, his gaze meeting mine. “Isa,” he began, his voice low and hesitant, “I find myself in unfamiliar territory. I want you, but this isn’t something I know how to navigate. Being a prince, or even a diplomat.” His voice trailed before picking up again. “None of it has prepared me for this.”
His vulnerability was unexpected, and it made my heart ache. I set my mug aside, my fingers trembling just a little. “You don’t have to be perfect. Neither of us does.”
He nodded, a tiny smile tugging at his lips before it faltered. “About the kiss... I told you it shouldn’t happen again. But I lied.” He paused, his eyes darkening. “I wanted it. I wantmoreof it. More of you. Are you cold?”
“That’s not why I shivered.” I swallowed, feeling both the weight and the exhilaration of his words. “I want that too,” I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. “But I’m not asking for promises or forevers. I just... I just want to be here with you. Right now.”
He leaned in slightly, his eyes searching mine, trying to confirm what he’d just heard. “You’d risk that? With me?”
I smiled, brushing my fingers against his hand, my brown skin against his frost blue. “It doesn’t feel like a risk. It feels like a choice. One I want to make.”
He let out a breath, as though a tight knot inside him had loosened. His hand turned, palm up, fingers wrapping around mine. “I don’t know much about how this works between your people.”
“And I don’t know much about yours,” I said, the corner of my mouth quirking up. “But we can figure it out. Together.”
His smile, rare, real, and breathtaking, graced his noble features. “Then let’s find out.”
I barely had time to breathe before his lips captured mine, the kiss slow and unhurried, yet searing in its intensity. The world narrowed to the sensation of his mouth, the warmth of his body, the taste of spiced berries lingering between us. The fire crackled behind us, but the real blaze was here, in this space where our restraint melted away like snow in spring.
His hand slid to my waist, pulling me closer, and I went willingly, the boundaries of who I was and who he was blurring, folding into something new. The heat of his touch seared a path along my skin, every brush of his fingertips igniting both cool and warm sparks that bloomed into flame.
When the kiss finally broke, we were both breathless. His forehead rested against mine, his voice rough and low. “You’re sure?”
I smiled, eyes half-lidded, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw. “I’ve never been more sure of anything.”
His gaze darkened with desire. The area between my legs throbbed as I witnessed the ice prince shed his cold, distancing layers for something more blazing and instinctual. He removed his outer tunic and shirt beneath, revealing a physique honed from combat. I felt his strength as he guided me closer, the night wrapped around us.
As I traced a path of kisses down his chest, I felt the tension in his muscles melt away. His hands gently cupped my face, his thumb stroking my cheek as he gazed at me with a mix of longingand tenderness. The stoic exterior he wore so effortlessly melted away in the heat of the moment, revealing the raw vulnerability and passion that lay beneath.
“Here.” I took his hand and had him undo the buttons of my sweater. His lips parted as his gaze never left my body.
Thadron's fingers hesitated for a moment before he carefully undid each button, his touch feather-light against my skin.
As we began to kiss again, his alien features of smooth blue skin and slightly cool touch sent shivers down my spine. But at the same time, there was a warmth to his touch that ignited a fire within me. I enjoyed the contrast, my clit aching for his hand to venture lower.
He undid the clasps of my bra. As his fingers traced along my bare skin, I felt the contrast of his cool and warm touch at the same time. My nipples hardened, aching for his touch. I leaned into his hand, shivering with anticipation as he pressed a single fingertip against my left nipple. It hardened even more under the contact, sending shocks of pleasure through me. He circled it slowly, softly, before moving to tease the other one with equal care. My breath hitched when his blue tongue flicked out to trace its peak.
We continued like this, exploring each other's bodies with tender touches that turned into fiery need as the night wore on. His lips trailed down my neck and across my collarbone while his hands sought out my hips. He pulled me closer until our lower bodies were pressed tightly together, and I could feel how hard he was getting.
My fingers traced over his washboard stomach once more before gently tugging at the waistband of his pants. His reaction was instantaneous. A groan reverberated through me as he arched into my touch. With trembling hands, I unzipped his pants to reveal an impressive...and unique erection.