I stood there, watching the last of the young guards disappear into the shadows of the forest. My heart raced, but I couldn't tell if it was because of Kairan or the anxiety about their safety.
"You called me by my name in front of twenty squires and two sworn knights," Kairan's deep, cold voice startled e from my thoughts.
I turned to him, eyebrows furrowed. "What?"
He said, irritation lacing his tone, "Let's rephrase that." He cleared his throat dramatically. "Lady Meredia Seraphine Valtoria, daughter of Duke Oberon, called the Crown Prince Kairan Alistair Ashbourned by his name publicly."
Oh, shit!
"Um... that..." I offered an awkward laugh and a crooked smile, hoping to defuse the situation.
He took a deep, slow breath, blinking at me like I was a puzzle he couldn't quite solve.
"How about I compensate for it by calling you 'Your Highness' a thousand times?" I clasped my hands together, mimicking a pleading gesture.
