Page 6 of The Autumn Prince

Was he saying…

“Incendis, are you a virgin?”

Chapter 3

Iknew right away that I’d embarrassed Incendis even more, but when he nodded, it felt right that I’d asked. A virgin fae prince? Sure, some people might think that was great and be really into it.

I was not one of them.

I’d never been anyone’s first anything. While I remembered my firsts and might be able to do better than was done to me in ways that mattered to me now, I wasn’t sure I wanted an impulsive hookup and wish fulfillment session to be someone else’s first time. I still believed that losing your virginity should be special.

“Um, you know what?” I took a step back from Incendis and cleared my throat. “Maybe this isn’t the time for this. Um. I mean, we probably shouldn’t be so hasty.”

He nodded at the floor and tried to casually hide his erection. He was unsuccessful. That anaconda could not be contained and was heading down the leg of his pants.

I almost changed my mind.

But then I remembered why I was here.

“You know, we should probably keep things between us on a more professional level. I’m here to help you and your kingdom, right? So⁠—”

“Court.”

“Court? Oh, right, not…not kingdom.”

I stood there feeling so awkward when he caught himself on fire again. He did it without a word or a gesture, just the sudden sound of a flame igniting and there he was, burning again. Was that more embarrassment? Was he feeling defensive?

He walked over to the door, opened it, and said, “Could you escort my guest to a room for the night? Please see to all of his needs.”

If that was what I wanted, why did I hate that I was getting it? Literally, I walked out of the room feeling like I’d just been dumped, fired, and evicted. It was even worse when I looked back and he’d already shut the door.

Okay, but seriously, this was the right thing to do. A prince like him could be a virgin on purpose. What did I know about fae traditions? Maybe their royals of all genders were supposed to do the old-timey purity thing? If we slept together, it could mean we were married here! I didn’t know. And I didn’t have to agree with it to respect it. Which was totally what I was doing, being respectful. Gentlemanly, even.

“Here we are, sir,” my escort said as they opened a door several down from Incendis’s.

“Thanks.”

I went inside and found a room just as lavish as his but a lot smaller and done in lavender. Lavender. That was not a shade in my color palette. I opened my mouth to ask for any other room, but then didn’t want to add being a pain in the butt to embarrassing a prince all in one night.

“Is there anything else I can provide for you before you retire?”

“Uh...” Everything I could think of in that moment was something I seriously doubted they had here, like my lounge pants or my nighttime skin products. “Um, no. I think I’m fine.”

“Have a good night, sir.”

“Thanks. You, too.”

They closed the door, and I was alone.

Everything about this felt like the wrong move. But why? I didn’t know the customs, I barely knew him, and jumping in like he was any ol’ trick was a bad idea. Incendis was…special.

With a groan, I flopped onto the cold and empty bed.

I still felt unsteady in the morning. Normally, I was very confident in my decisions. Even when I was impulsive, I was trusting my gut and that thing was never wrong. Become an accountant? Show me the money! Piece my ears and my nose? Boy, look at me sparkle! Jump into the fairy ring with Wally? That’s what we do!

So why was it all screeching tires and record scratch when I had the chance to fuck a fae prince? Because stopping and saying no had been the right move. My gut had said so.

My brain just needed to catch up.