Page 30 of Taken By the Shadow Prince

“When do we ask them?” I whisper to him.

“Let them eat first,” Armin answers. “They’ll be a lot more pliable with full stomachs.

I nod, agreeing. “And you’ll do the talking, right? I’m not sure I’d hold much sway with them.”

“Of course,” he says. “Though a few words from you would go a long way. Nothing crazy, but just enough to show that you’re actually involved in this as well and not just a pretty doll seated here for my benefit.”

I roll my eyes. “Fine,” I say, ignoring the pretty doll comment. I stab some cooked carrot onto my fork and shovel it into my mouth, chewing quickly as my nerves overtook the motion. “Do you think they’re suspicious right now? About why you’ve told all of them to meet here?”

Armin chuckled. “Oh, they’re definitely suspicious. They probably think they’re about to be kicked out of the realm—so they’ll be afraid, which will also benefit us. They’ll be grateful it’s just a civil war that they’re being asked to fight in, grateful they don’t have to evacuate their homes, and agree to do it because at least it isn’t as bad as they thought.”

“You think?”

Armin shrugs. “I’m sure at leastsomeof them will have that thought process.”

I chew on the inside of my cheek and turn my attention to the crowded dining hall. Mostly, they seem rather calm—which I certainly wouldn’t be, if a notoriously cruel demon prince had called me to his castle.

Though, really, I had no proof that he was cruel. Everything I’d seen of him—besides his wicked bargains—hadn’t really been so bad.

Then again, I have yet to see him interact with his people like he normally does. Even here, evennow, I’m sure he’ll be far kinder than usual to them since he’s trying to goad them into doing something for him.

Armin waits until after the servants have come to collect the empty plates before he stands.

All eyes are immediately on him.

And his eyes are on me. He gestures for me to stand, too, and I do, trying to hide the slight shake in my legs. I’ve never been under the gaze of quite so many people before. Not at once. Blending into the shadows, the background, is where I tend to do my work.

Not out in the open. Especially not in front of a species of people that are far more powerful than I could ever hope to be, especially when most—if not all—are older than I am or ever will be.

All at once, as if on a silent command, they stand. They bow.

And Armin merely smiles at them. It isn’t a kind smile. It’s the kind of smirk that says,You’re my bitch, but he’s doing it to a room of approximately one hundred people, maybe more. He says, “Rise. I have use for you lot.” His tone is different from the one he speaks to me with. Full of threat—of a promise of violence—should you test him.

They all exchange glances. Some are relieved, others are still unsure, as if trying to figure out what sort of trap they’ve been drawn into.

As they straighten, Armin says, “In the mortal realm, Aligris struggles against its own people. While the capital fights to earn rights for the witches, a great number of fae prepare to go to war with them. They believe that witches—those who share your blood, havegivenyou blood—are unworthy. Evil. Wrong. They plan to slaughter them.”

He pauses to let that sink in. “But you’re all very capable of turning the tide in this war. With magic like yours, you could combat those fae and win back a country for your kin. So long as there aresomevolunteers, then you all have a choice in whether you fight for Aligris. But ifnoneof you volunteer, thenIpick who goes. And I just might say all of you.” Armin gives everyone an arrogant smile before gesturing to me. “This is Mavey. As a fae, she fights for your people’s rights. It would certainly be a disappointment if you let her and her kind take all the credit, yes?”

Murmurs.

Armin gives me a look that says it’s my time to speak.

I clear my throat, and all their eyes immediately snap to mine. “I wouldn’t be here to ask for your help if I didn’t need it,” I say honestly. I don’t know if that’s the best route, to show my hand here, but it’s all I can think to do. Appeal to the witch in them, rather than the demon. “I made a bargain for this. Make sure it’s worth it for me, will you? Make my sacrifice worth something for my Queen’s kingdom.”

I turn to Armin, and he nods.

Good then. I was out of words anyway.

He speaks again after I’ve finished. “A dessert is going to be brought out in just a moment—as a kindness for considering this. So,considerit. And once you’ve all finished, I’ll ask for those of you who are brave enough to fight to stay behind. The rest of you cowards can head on home the second you’ve filled your stomachs with my generosity.” His eyes narrow, a casting judgment over the entire room, at those who are going to say no.

Because some will say no.

We’ll just have to wait and see how many sayyes.

***?

Forty-two.

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