Into His Command by Angel Payne Read Free Book Online

the island’s most popular spot for any occasion requiring
     an extraordinary touch. The word only began to describe the place. The entrance walkway
     and stairs, all carved into the pure white granite found in so many places on Arcadia,
     first led a visitor to think they were entering a pristine palace with a killer view
     of Lake Sagique. But the main room itself was the main surprise. Naturally embedded
     into every wall, as well as the ceiling, were chunks of labradorite, sapphire, and
     euclase that turned the space into a sparkling wonderland.
    “Well, six days is what we have.” Syn didn’t try to be nice about it. As he scrubbed
     his face, I realized the reason why. His eyes were sheened with exhaustion, his mouth
     bracketed by strain. Damn. He’d likely encountered this same argument when assembling
     a ground team in Faisant, and counted on facing the same when moving on to Colluss
     on the north coast, where Evrest and Camellia would logically travel after Tahreuse.
    Making me a world-class heel.
    Who tried making up for it by shoving to my feet, squaring my shoulders, and presenting
     my strongest game face. “Then we’ll make it work in six days.”
    “Agreed.” Grahm rose too.
    “Agreed.” Blayze was next.
    One by one, the others stood and pledged their own commitments for the next week.
     Samsyn accepted each vow with a solemn nod but little else. I watched the shadows
     in his eyes, sensed him rationing his dwindling energy over the remaining tasks of
     the day. And dammit, I didn’t like seeing it…nearly feeling it with him. I hated fighting off all my protective impulses, burning hotter by the
     second, telling me to march across the room, drag him to the yoga studio, and force
     his stubborn ass down on a mat for even an hour of the rest he clearly needed.
    I hated still caring.
    This much.
    And wondered how the hell I was going to get through this entire damn week without
     looking at Samsyn Cimarron…wondering what it would’ve been like to complete that kiss
     at the waterfall. How his lips would’ve reacted to mine. What his body would’ve felt
     like. What sounds would’ve unfurled from him, as our senses awoke to each other…
    Oh, God .
    I had to turn it all off. Thinking straight, functioning correctly, depended on it.
    It had to be easier than I thought. It had to be. One quick search inside. Just find the spigots marked H and S .
    H for heart.
    S for spirit.
    Then crank them off. Lock them down.
    I could do this. I had before. I was just a little rusty. And yeah, there was the
     difference in both experiences too. The last time, I’d been staring from a helicopter
     at the smoldering remains of my house. This time, I gazed at the most beautiful warrior
     prince God had ever put on Earth. The bold set of his face, while silently assessing
     the room. The million thoughts behind his crystalline eyes. The sensual tumble of
     his hair against his nape and shoulders.
    The chaos he caused in me, as soon as he looked up again.
    Looked at me.
    Looked into me.
    Curled heat and need and longing into so many secret places of me.
    Crank them off. Lock them down.
    Right. And just tell myself to stop breathing, too. To stop feeling more aware, more
     inspired, more alive—
    More a woman.
    Dammit.
    I was in for six days of some major suckage.
    Freaking. Lovely.

Chapter Four
    ‡
    T en hours later, and it only felt like two. Or twenty, depending on what part of my sanity was still
     left to listen to.
    After the meeting at the Center, briefing packets were distributed about everyone’s
     roles during the three days of the royal visit. Logistics would be intricate, complicated
     by the news that select members of the international press had also been invited to
     attend the Engagement Ball. That was before we tackled the issue about adequately
     housing everyone in the royal retinue. In Sancti, the Palais Arcadia could house hundreds
     in luxury. Faisant had the Sauvage Ranch. In Colluss,