[b]Ella stiffened against Marken as he held her captive against him, both delighted and worried by his actions. She supposed that she should be happy that he wasn't completely repulsed by her, but it made her job as a fake wife very easy on her. She'd just established that she needed to keep herself emotionally unattached, but everything seemed to be obliterating her intentions. What was worse was that she enjoyed the feel of him against her like this.

Despite her better judgment, Ella rested her head on Marken's shoulder and closed her eyes, forcing herself to relax. She had to admit, being cuddled against him was calming, and she enjoyed it more than she expected to. Being around Marken was such a new thing for her. When the prince announced that he intended to hold Ella against him often, she smiled to herself, rather liking the idea of it. Perhaps, in a more perfect world, the two of them could actually grow to love each other. But things like that only happened in fairy tales.

"I'm afraid that if you keep spoiling me like this, I'll become one of those clingy admirers you hate," Ella laughed, making a small joke as her arm hesitantly reached up to wrap around his torso, lying limply over his chest.[/b]