Prince of the Arena (Beasts of the Briar, #1.5)

by Elizabeth Helen

“I’d rather slice off my own cock than have anything to do with that boring, pasty-faced, quill-brained Autumn Prince.”

Sure dayton LOL

Who are you? Why are you showing me all these places? Does your heart nearly beat out of your chest when you look at me like when I look at you?

AWWW FARRON :(

Fare. Or should I say Farron. Prince of the bloody Autumn Realm, and heir to its Blessing. I can’t believe he kissed me. Can’t believe without even a single drop of alcohol, I lost as much reason as if I’d drunk five pitchers of ale and threw myself at him. Threw myself so deep I was drowning—drowning in the crisp scent of his skin, the rich brown of his hair, the constellation of freckles over his nose.

Dayton dayton you cant deny the connection dont get pissy now

We’ve explored the markets and museums, beachcombed, and picnicked. We danced late into the night after stumbling upon a bonfire held by a nomadic band that sails the waterways on a skinny boat, making their living with song. We’ve laughed and talked and teased and kissed—kissed a lot.

omg not the situationship

That’s just it, though. He is like a precious rose, blooming toward the sun. And I’m the typhoon that will come in and uproot it. With a sigh, I gather him in my arms. “Maybe you need to jump,” Farron murmurs. “What?” “To find the treasure on the isle. You’ve got to jump in the water feet first.” I pull him closer against me. “That’s harder than it sounds, Little Leaf.” He smiles up at me, and there’s something so earnest and genuine in that smile, it makes my heart ache. “I can be the push you need, if you want me to.” I don’t reply; I just hold him. We lie there until the sun sets low on the horizon and the shadows of the palm trees on the isle lengthen across the water. Farron doesn’t understand. If I jump, it’s not me who will get hurt. It’s him.

This is gonna make me sadd

“Of course,” I say. He doesn’t know that he could ask me to crawl behind him and I would consider it a privilege.

FARRON STAND UP

The words I want to say feel too big for this little island, so I smile and stare into his turquoise eyes. Forever isn’t long enough if I’m with you.

omg wow this is the start of them

“I still have no idea what you’re talking about,” I chide, but a fire burns beneath my ribs. “Regardless, my darling boy, I know you.” Her voice is soft as she says, “You’ve changed.” I close my eyes, the burning sensation next to my heart intensifying. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

DONT DENY IT DAYTON

My mind reels. I’m willingly in Winter, my least favorite of the realms—if you don’t count the Below. I hate this place—the biting wind, the endless cold, the people even colder.

i hate the winter lol

Another flash, this image right in front of me, so close I think there’s someone there. A young woman falling, hands reaching for the surface, brown hair a tangle around her face. She’s beautiful. She’s drowning. I reach toward her, but she disappears in a hazy mist.

Woah did he just see Rosalina?

“Thank you, Dammy,” I say. He stares at me, his blue eyes a mirror of my own. “You know I would do anything for you, little brother, even if I do not understand it.” “I know,” I say. “And I’d do anything for you.”

awwww so sweet

“They’re staying in the east villa.” I stare him down, swallowing the last of my peach, feeling the sticky sweetness drip down my chin. “He’s in the upper room. Coral suite.” Ice shivers through my veins, and for a moment, I think I’m back in Kel’s damn lake. “Why would I care?”

I love his brothers LOL

Carefully, I brush a line of hair away from his brow. He jerks, golden eyes shooting open, and hits me in the face with his book.

LOL

I’ll be shadowing her and spending time with the High Prince.” Dayton blinks at me. It’s clear from his expression that he is seldom rejected. When he says nothing, I continue, “You fight in the arena tomorrow, correct? That’s what your family said at the welcome dinner. I’m sure you need to rest.” Dayton straightens, and I hate that my body already aches to be close to him. That I want to call out for him to stay. “Right,” he says, voice hoarse. He walks to the balcony, not even going to leave the normal way. He looks back at me over his shoulder, blue eyes

YES farron stand your ground

Keldarion’s eyes blaze with blue fire. “Who are you?” The fae reaches up a shaking hand before it falls from Kel’s silver circlet down to his jaw, leaving a bloody trail. “My name is Caspian,” he says. “I escaped the Below. I need your help.”

UH OH