Page 9 of The Princess and Her Grand King

Grinning, Zaiper released Ottai. "And you, dear Ottai, amuse me. We both know this isn’t where you want to be. You should be off—taking food to Vladya, perhaps? Tending to your fallen friends like the dutiful little servant. Go on, then. Return to your duties and leave the running of the kingdom to me,"he smirked. "After all, there is no hand more capable than mine."

Zaiper strode off, his laughter echoing behind him.

The fourth ruler had already lost the battle. He had no cards to play, no weapons in his arsenal.

The kingdom was already Zaiper’s for the taking.

Nothing stood in his way. Absolutely nothing.

Chapter three

DEEPLY BURIED

Yaz,theheadsoldierof Blackstone, laid out the feast before the cave mouth, as he usually did.

"How is he? Did you catch a glimpse of him?"

The voice startled Yaz, and he whirled around, hand instinctively moving to his sword.

Wegai stood on a rock several feet away, watching him. Had his thoughts been so consuming that he'd failed to notice being followed?

"Lower your guard, Yaiz'vlion. I am not the enemy," the grand king's head soldier said, making no move to step closer.

"Do not call me that," Yaz growled, casting one last glance towards the cave. Then he stalked towards Wegai, every sense alert. "What are you doing here? It was reckless to follow me. If I'd sensed you in the woods, I would have nailed you."

"I’m well aware. Which is why I was careful."

From a distance, they might seem like brothers. Same height, same breadth, same warrior's bearing.

Wegai’s scars were worn on his face from countless battles, while Yaz bore his hidden beneath layers of armor and cloth.

Their masters shared a bond deeper than most, and while they had fought side by side in many wars, they were not friends—just two head soldiers bound by duty.

Yaz relaxed his stance first. "What brings you here, Wegai? I doubt you trailed me to make small talk."

"No, I did not." Wegai began to walk, Yaz falling into step beside him. "I spent all morning beside my master." Wegai’s jaw clenched. "I lose him more with each passing day."

Yaz’s eyes flicked back to the cave. His own master nestled in there.

Wegai stopped, abruptly. "We need to get the females back."

Yaz said nothing, nor could he feign surprise. The thought had tormented him for years.

But thinking it was one thing. Acting on it was another.

"We cannot do that, and you know it. Lord Zaiper would never allow it."

"Lord Zaiper does not need to know."

"That in itself is preposterous," Yaz scoffed. "We cannot consider something of that magnitude without authorization. The consequences would be—"

"Lord Ottai," Wegai cut in. "He is still a ruler. He can help."

Yaz had considered this too. "And if he does not?"

"We do it anyway."

“Such a move is delicate,” Yaz said. “One wrong move, and we’re playing right into Lord Zaiper’s hands. He’s been waiting for a reason to get rid of us."

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