PHOENIX POVI wait for her answer. My heart starts to fall the longer she takes. I slowly allow my hand to fall from hers on my cheek and whisper."It's okay, Butterfly, I understand!" I take a small step back."How about we continue on with our date?.."I step away from her, making her hand fall from my cheek. I head back into the room and pick up my jacket off of the bed. I turn as I slip my jacket on. I hold out my hand to her. She walks slowly over to where I am standing and places her hand on mine.I then move to the door, I open it and then lead Scarlett back down to the SUV. H opens the door and allows us to climb in, he then goes around and climbs back in front. I want her to have fun, so our next stop is a popular dance club.This time H and Mike come with us to the club. They too got changed into everyday clothes so that they don't draw attention to themselves as bodyguards. I put my arm around Scarlett's waist and all four o

SCARLETT POV Phoenix then fully steps away from me, making my hands finally drop from his. I watch as he leaves the dance floor and then leaves the club. I look over at H and Mike. Mike holds out his hand to me and as I take it, he steps closer and whispers, "What would you like to do, your highness? We can stay here for a while longer. We can head back to the hotel or we can take you back to the castle?" "Please?? Can we stay and dance?? I don't get to get out of the castle unless it is to do with Royal duties. I don't get to just have fun. " "As you wish! On one condition, H and I are the only ones allowed to get you your drinks and you never leave our sight. " I nod and step in closer to him, put my arms around his waist, and we dance. It was nothing like dancing with Phoenix, of course, but it was still good. Once the slow song finished, I stepped back from Mike and continued to dance. Mike didn't stay on the dance floor long, so I w

PHOENIX POV I had a restless sleep; I haven't had one as bad since before Scarlett started sneaking into my room when she was ten. Some of that was from her nightmares and some was my restlessness. Before Scarlett, I used to go days, if not weeks, without sleeping. It has been worse since the day at the picnic when Max reminded us of how and why Sebastian's sister and Dominic's parents were killed. My mother wasn't my father's true mate, but they were mated lovers. They had chosen each other. I used to smile every time my mother would tell me the story of how they met and how she fell in love with him. I know I told Mike that I would be back by dawn, but I think I will stay here in the city for a few days, first continue with my hunting and then head back. Get everything in my head, straighten out, and go back to Scarlett with a clear head. I was only going to stay a few days, but it has been about two months and in that time I have only been back

SCARLETT POVThe training went really well. I am really tired as we start back toward Noah's house. Not long into the walk back, I hear something off to the side, so I stop to have a better listen when H asks."Scarlett, what's wrong?""I heard something,""Head back to the house. I will check it out..""I can't let you do that on your own," I say in a low voice as I remember Ethan fighting to protect me."Your highness, I know I have been training you but it is still my job to protect you at all costs...""I don't like it but Okay."I don't like that he is putting his life on the line for me as Ethan did and he died doing it but I slowly move forward, heading in the direction of Noah's house. I then hear what sounds like fighting and H's strong and worried voice yell,"SCARLETT RUN!"I run as he tells me to do and then I hear someone running behind me; I slow for just a second to see if I could tell who it

H POVI move over to the bed and run my eyes over my princess. I brought the scarf this time because I want to kiss her. I have been contemplating how far I could go by kissing her to start with before she realised it wasn't Phoenix. I smile to myself because I might just find out. I carefully put the scarf around her eyes. I don't want her to wake up just yet. I tie her wrists lightly so she can still move them until I don't want her to.I take off my shirt and pants, I then move to the blankets a little so I can first remove her pants and then I extend one of my claws and carefully use it to cut the thin straps on her top, running it slowly down the middle exposing all of her body to me. I want to just jump on her and take her hard and fast, but I force myself and my vampire under control and start to place soft feather-light kisses on her neck up to her lips.It works as Scarlett stirs and lets out a soft moan of pleasure before returni