Tampered Temper

It was hard to miss the irony in his tone.

The knot in Rain's stomach drew tauter, her lids lifted in stun to glance at him.

There wasn't a hint of warmth in his countenance. An aloof air shrouded him instead and his charming visage carried the same coldness as his gaze. It was indeed her fault it got so late they couldn't make it to better accommodation.

She couldn't bear to face him yet. She might never be.

Overwhelmed with embarrassment, she almost crouched.

"Change of clothes. It's nothing noble. But you will have to do with it. Go ahead and take it," Derek's voice prompted her impatiently. He jolted the fabric as though it bothered his fingers and arched a dark brow at her frightened state.

Rain limped to him.

He studied her gait with a frown and narrowed slits at her wounded ankle.

"How worrisome!"

She heard him curse under his breath. Next, he dumped the clothing noisily on a table and reached for her.

"What-what are you doing?" Rain was alarmed.

He scoffed. "What do you think princess?"

Her eyes grew wide when she caught sight of the movements of his hands to the hem of her skirt. She jolted backwards in realization and denied vehemently, "I'm fine, Your Highness!"

Derek's hand halted. He stared up at her paled face and stood to step away.

"Really?"

"Of course, Your Highness."

"Walk to me."

Rain stared speechlessly at him as though he'd grown two heads. She darted her eyes to her feet and back to him.

He was clearly displeased and she feared if she didn't do as said, she might suffer from worse fate than the strain of his aura.

However, heavens didn't seem to be on her side, for she stumbled like an empty cup when she made to move.

"Sit down!"

Rain prayed for the earth to split open and swallow her in whole when she heard him holler. Now he was probably so furious he would strike her if she dared to be disobedient.

She turned to lean back gently at the cranky bed behind, but the frame was raised and she couldn't bring her legs to lift.

She gritted her teeth in shame and squeezed her lids nervously. How did she turn out this bad?

The prince's presence battled her composure.

"Burdensome!" She heard him curse once more and shivered when his arms suddenly took hold of her.

He had a terrible temper she realized, and she would definitely bear the brunt of it for her clumsiness.

He wound his arm around her waist and under her thighs, lifting her with ease and bringing her to lay on top the bed.

His build crouched at the bedside begrudgingly and rough palms moved directly through her skirt, folding the bloodstained hem above her ankle.