Page 26 of Taken By the Barbarian King

"And who the hell are you?" she snaps.

"I'm the asshole that birthed him." Mother smirks.

Lottie's eyes go wide and presses her lips together, taking a step back from both me and my mother.

"Oh my God. I'm so sorry. I?—"

"Sorry? For what, dear? For telling this thick-headed son of mine what an idiot he is? I think I'd rather get in line."

Lottie's pressed lips turn into a smile and she glances at me.

"Do you have nothing to say?" She slaps me again, which is when the guards enter the room as does the royal council I had just managed to escape from.

I turn to Lottie and clear my throat, straightening up.

"You're correct," I say.

"What? Speak up." She slaps me again.

The high priest steps forward and all but growls at Lottie.

"Who is this woman? Seize her at once. She means to harm His Brutal Highness."

The guards jump into action but stop in their tracks when I snarl in their direction.

"This woman is my bride and no one is touching her."

The high priest grimaces.

"She laid a hand on you, Your Highness. She needs to be punished."

I growl. Specifically, at him this time.

"The only one who needs to be punished is me." I turn to Lottie and reach for her hand. I fully expect her to pull away from me but she allows me the contact. "You're correct, my queen. I am an asshole."

She runs her tongue along her teeth and hums in agreement. I tug at her hand, pulling her closer and her composure flickers for a moment, when her body collides with mine. As if it's hard to stay mad at me when she's so close.

I hope I'm right. But even if I'm not...

"I thought I needed a royal to prove my place. I thought I needed someone who holds a position of power as my match. Someone who knows what it's like being a leader?—"

She snorts. "Huh. If you think Princess Alexandra has any real power you're sorely mistaken."

I shake my head.

"I don't care about Princess Alexandra." I stare at her, deep into her gorgeous brown eyes that shine like a beacon. A beacon calling me home.

"I thought she was Princess Alexandra," someone says.

"She's not, dear. Do catch up," Mother responds before shushing the room.

"I thought I needed all that when I decided to liberate a human." Lottie opens her mouth and I shut it with my palm over her lips. Then I correct myself. "Abduct a human. I thought I needed all that, but… I just needed you. I'm sorry, Lottie. I'm sorry for getting angry at you, for freezing you out, for leaving you alone all day. I..."

"A future king? Apologizing to a woman? Preposterous," the high priest exclaims and Lottie’s glare darts in his direction.

Before I can uncover her mouth, she unleashes on the man I’ve loathed for my entire life.

“Mifu finkur zobi gan?—”

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