I try to maintain a polite expression on my face as the young females fawn over me.

Tall and built along broad lines, their clothing might be fashionable, but the cut and the colors do not suit them at all. Coupled with their garish makeup and the greed in their eyes, they are beyond off-putting. I know with complete certainty that neither of these women are the one I am looking for.

I sigh.

We've been going from door to door all day, the shoe carefully nestled in a box that I maintain hold of. I've been carting it around with me, but I haven't seen anyone yet that I think could be Elle, so nobody has tried it on. I'm being almost paranoid with it.

It's the only physical connection I have with Elle. I regret breaking the other, but I'm careful to keep this one intact.

I check the time. It's getting late. Almost too late to keep going from door to door.

My hope is wavering.

There aren't many more buildings that border the park or that are close enough that a young woman might make the trek there at night. If I don't find her soon, I might have to try another avenue. I will find another way to search for her if need be.

"I believe the shoe belongs to someone shorter. And more...slender," I say diplomatically, not wanting to waste any more of my time here, but not wanting to be impolite when they've opened up their home to me.

"I can prove it!"

"Let me try it on!"

I close the box and take a step back, grimacing as the sisters start bickering. I have no patience for this. When I open my mouth to take my leave, I hear a muffled sound coming from somewhere nearby.

Was that a woman's cry?

I listen intently, but I don't hear anything else. I look over at the mother as she enters the room, her dark, white-streaked hair perfectly in place, her dress simple and understated, unlike her daughters' ensembles.

Where has she gone?

I didn’t even noticed she left due to her daughters' unbecoming antics. She smiles at me, polite enough, but there's something about her that just rubs me the wrong way. She's done everything right, but I've been around long enough to recognize her kind. Her politeness is a front, a way to get what she wants.

"I thought a heard a sound," I say slowly, watching her face. Her expression flickers slightly, confirming my suspicion. "Is there anyone else in the house?" I ask directly.

She draws herself up, her back ramrod straight.

"No, Prince Herne. There is nobody else, though I really must apologize for the cat. He seems to act out whenever we have company. Nothing to worry about, I've closed him away so he won't bother us. Now, I'm sure we can help you with whatever it is you need."

She's lying.

I have no desire for any more games. If she won't tell me the truth, I shall find out for myself. I stride past her, ignoring her cries for me to stop. I know the general direction I heard the sound come from. There's only one closed door in this area.

The lock has been engaged from the outside.

"Are you worried your cat knows how to unlock doors?" I ask archly, looking at the mother over my shoulder.

She looks away, her nostrils flaring with anger, but she doesn't reply as everyone gathers behind us. I take another step towards the door and she mirrors it, her hand coming out to stop me.

"Ma'am, I wouldn't do that," one of my guards murmurs, stepping between us.

Her face tightens, but she takes a step back. She really doesn't want me to open the door. So of course, I have to see why.

I hit unlock and shove the door open, not daring to hope.

My heart stops as I see a woman facing away from me in that small, cramped, closet-like space.

She whirls around at the sound of the door opening, her beautiful face surprised.

"Elle," I breathe, stepping inside.

Somehow, the distance between us disappears. I have my arms wrapped tightly around her, my face buried in her hair as I breathe in her scent.

Elle.

I've found her.

Now she's right where she should be. She wraps her arms around me just as tightly, her heart hammering against mine.

"Herne. I didn't know you were my Prince Charming," she murmurs, her voice thick.

I chuckle, basking in her presence.

"Then we're even. I didn't know either. Not until later, when I had a chance to think, to put two and two together." I lean back so I can see her face. That lovely face that I haven't been able to get out of my mind. I'd started to wonder if she actually was as beautiful as I remembered. She isn't. She's even more gorgeous, here, in front of me, her hair caught in a messy ponytail, dressed in an old t-shirt and jeans. "Is that your mother?" I ask, frowning.

I really hope not. Perhaps I should try to arrange my face in a more neutral expression, though it might be too late for that now.

"Stepmother," she explains quietly, her eyes glancing over at them for a moment. "And stepsisters."

Ah.

That explains why they look so different. And why they behave so terribly when Elle is not like that at all. I couldn't imagine her being related to these people.

I pull her in against my side and turn to face her stepmother.

She's standing there with a tight expression on her face, glaring daggers at Elle, as if this is all her fault.

"Why was she locked in this closet?" I demand, even as my eye lands on a small bed.

Is this where that woman made her live? This apartment is big enough for her to have a room to herself!

"You ungrateful brat," the woman hisses at Elle, her face turning ugly as her true self emerges. "She just does the cleaning here, Prince Herne," she continues in that same venomous voice, attempting to dismiss Elle even though I have my arm wrapped around her. Does she take me for a fool? "I don't know what she's told you, but that's all she is—a terrible maid." Her face is full of hate as she stares at Elle, the emotion so strong I wonder at the motivation of it. I cannot imagine that Elle could have done anything to warrant such a strong negative emotion. "You're worthless," she says quietly, taking a step towards her. "Just like your mother, that low-class slut."

I don't think she even realizes that she's given away that Elle is more than just a maid.

"She had more than you ever will," Elle retorts, her eyes locked with her stepmother's. "Including Father's love."

"You little bitch!" She moves as if to grab her, but one of my guards easily detains her.

I've had enough of this.

"Step aside," I say firmly, stepping past the woman, with Elle safely on my other side. "I've seen enough here. More than enough." I look over to see the stepsisters watching Elle in shock, hate starting to seep into their expressions as well. The apples don't seem to fall far from the tree. I usually try not to judge children for their parents' actions, but it's clear they're cut from the same cloth. I look back over at the mother. "You do not deserve what you have. And you most certainly do not deserve any more than this." These vipers need to be put in their place. And I know exactly how to do it, judging by their simpering earlier. "Your daughters will never marry well," I say quietly, meaning every word. "I will see to it."

"What?" she gasps as her daughters cry out in dismay behind her. Her face instantly transforms from hate to one of contrition as I usher Elle out the front door, my men blocking her when she tries to grab me. "You can't do that! What kind of spell has that little bitch cast on you? Don't believe a word she says!"

I cast her a disdainful look. Does she think I will take her word for anything?

"Ma'am, if you follow us, we will have to restrain you and call the authorities," one of my guards says, sounding almost eager to do so. I have half a mind to let him.

She's already done enough that I could file a claim.

"You can't do that!" I hear her gasp. "Do you know who I am? I will have you fired!"

"I don't know who you are, nor do I care to. But that is Prince Herne, a Singarti Prince. A very well-respected one. Whatever you are, whoever you are, it doesn't compare," my other guard says in response. "Perhaps you should think before you say anything further."

That shuts her up. I'm only slightly disappointed that she doesn't do anything to justify an arrest. The threats cut her tirade short.

Bullies are like that, weak when faced with actual consequences. She doesn't even try to follow us out.

"I'm sorry you had to hear that," I say grimly as we step into the elevator and it takes us down.

Elle shakes her head, smiling faintly.

"I'm used to it," she says, shrugging. "It doesn't matter."

"It does matter," I argue. "And you're not used to it anymore," I add, holding her close. "Anyone speaks like that to you again and they're getting punched in the face."

She lets out a burst of shocked laughter, her face lighting up, erasing the signs of strain and sadness. Much better.

"You wouldn't!" she exclaims.

I shrug.

"I bet that woman could take a right hook to the jaw like a champ," I tease. Of course, I would never hit a woman, but my beast wants to hurt anyone who ever hurt Elle.

"Herne!" Elle says, laughter and censure in her voice.

I smile. "I like how you say my name," I say softly, my voice lowering.

She blushes as she hears the change in my tone, her eyes darkening in response. She knows exactly what I'm thinking. Then we're out onto the street, in the crowd of people.

I guide her to the car waiting at the curb as my guards move to their own transport.

"Take us home, please," I say to the car.

"Yes, sir," it replies in a pleasant contralto.

As it starts moving down the street, I pick Elle up and move her to sit on my lap, cuddling her to me.

"I was afraid I'd never see you again," I confess, wanting her as close as possible.

"Me too," she whispers, placing one gentle hand on the side of my face, searching my eyes. "Thank you for coming for me."

"I'll always come for you," I whisper. "Even when you run away." She laughs at that and I have to smile. "Though I'd really appreciate it if you didn't run away a third time."

She shakes her head. "I promise I won't run away again," she agrees.

"I'll hold you to that promise."

She ducks her head against the side of my neck and I hold her close all the way home.

For the first time in days, I don't feel that urge to keep moving, keep doing something.

I feel...content. I marvel at that settled feeling, smoothing my hand down her back.

We reach my building and I help Elle out of the car. Then we're taking the elevator up, her hand clasped securely in mine. And then we're in my apartment.

Where we're finally completely alone.

I turn to her, the need to take her, to possess her, pounding inside me. I want to stake my claim in the most primal way possible. The drive is undeniable.

Elle's eyes travel down to my raging erection, the thick length clearly outlined by my pants. It isn't going down any time soon.

"I'm sorry," I say, taking a deep breath, trying to calm myself though it feels like a futile attempt. "I can't help wanting you."

"Don't apologize," she replies. She looks up to meet my eyes, her cheeks already slightly flushed, her eyes dark with desire. "I want you too."

She takes a step towards me, placing her hand on my chest.

Just those words, that light touch...they snap the tight hold I'm keeping on myself.

Growling, I pull her in close against me and she goes up on her toes to meet my kiss.

It feels like coming home.

But even though my desire is raging through me, the arousal is tempered by the care, the relief, the love I feel for her.

Yes, love.

There's no denying it.

Why else would I feel so completely torn up inside when I couldn't find her?

The kiss is thorough, but gentle, as I pour everything I have, everything I'm feeling into the joining of our mouths. I show her what she means to me through that kiss.

She gives as good as she gets, until we're both panting, my arousal painfully hard. I break the kiss and pull back to look into her eyes.

To look at the face of my future.

"I'm not letting you get away again," I warn, wanting to be clear. "This is for keeps."

She smiles at me, her expression a little wistful. "Good," she murmurs. "No more letting girls throw themselves at you either."

I grin. "That doesn't really happen..." She raises a brow at me, not buying it. "...very often," I add sheepishly. "Don't worry. I only want you throwing yourself at me. Feel free to at any time, by the way."

"I'll keep it in mind," she agrees wryly. "Just wanted to be clear about the parameters here."

Her hands slides down and closes on my erection.

Squeezes it firmly.

"Now that we're clear..." I say, my voice coming out a little strangled.

I need to be inside her now.

I pick her up and she wraps her legs around my waist, giggling. The happy sound warms my heart as I cup the rounded curves of her backside, walking us into the bedroom.

She lets out a soft sigh that goes straight to my cock as I lower her onto the plush bed, laying my body on top of hers.

I know I'll never feel lonely again.

I'm home.

The only one I'll ever need.