Page 4 of Princess For All

He chuckled darkly. “That’s absolutely how she acts. I know people think I’m a wounded boy when I talk about being afraid of her. It’s not her power as a princess but how far she is willing to go over the line. She doesn’thavea line and that’s the terrifying part. She would absolutely want you brainwashed instead of being disgusted like even the bad princesses would be.”

“I’m still sorry,” I said gently.

“Me too.”

“I’ve seen Joi at the coven holding it together and now this makes sense,” Mozell said.

“You would ask one of us to lead a coven, Princess?” one of the newcomers asked, her tone equal parts shocked and disapproving.

“No, I would never ask that much of someone and especially not Joi as that would be her worst nightmare,” I answered honestly.

“Thank you for understanding that, Princess,” she drawled.

“As I’verepeatedly said, Inez is fine when it’s just us,” I drawled right back. “You’re like millions of years old and I’m a baby. Enough.”

“And because I’m millions of years old, I feel it important to always set the right example and respect the champion of our Goddess,” she countered firmly. “It is not respect for your position as many know I do not give it. You are worth respecting.”

“Fine, but then you need some sort of respectful title too,” I sighed, amusing them all. I let out a slow breath. “Aether made it clear that if I bring in another coven, we will implode. If I don’t handle this now, things will fall apart and we will lose. Several other options had less than stellar outcomes as well. However, there is one option, and I agree it is the best option.”

“Okay, so this is a Dr. Strange moment,” Eddie grumbled, apologizing when it was clear that I didn’t understand the reference.

“The covens will be broken up and temporarily distributed to our allies,” I explained, nodding when everyone there couldn’t hide their shock.

Yeah, that wasn’t how things normally went and would ruffle some feathers.

A lot of them even.

2

I went to handle what came next now that the visiting nobles had had time to speak with their princesses, but in a shocking turn of events, several of them were there when I finished. Nora was one of them and there was understanding in her eyes.

Aether had warned them to be sympathetic and accepting.

Awesome.

I waited until most of Princess Ramona’s coven was gathered, ignoring their shock that the visiting princesses were there as well.

And then I killed two of her nobles.

“Aether has given different instructions this time as not all of you are worthy of being saved,” I said loudly. “She is giving some of you the chance to change your ways and hearts so you can become worthy unlike those two nobles who have committed such heinous crimes that they do not get to live in Her world.

“But given Aether’s champion is focused on fighting the end of the world and Her brother and His champion, She has decided our allies will help this time. This coven will be divided among the remaining nobles of Ramona’s, and each group will temporarily stay with one of our allies. They will decide if you are worth saving or should be sent on your way.”

“We were told that we would be free to go on our way if you took over!” someone yelled.

“Did I tell you that?” I chuckled darkly. “Maybe you shouldn’t listen to rumors or assume you’re a puppet master of everyone before you start pushing over dominoes.” I slashed him with my power. “Do not speak so disrespectfully again or like you matter. You don’t.” I glanced around at the shocked group.

“Aether was clearly worried about some of you being set loose onto the world and with good reason,” Nora took over. “So we will make sure the good get separated and saved and the rats or snakes are handled. I suggest those who want to be labeled as good not take this moment to test us or make a name for themselves as problems.”

The woman knew how to motivate people because everything moved. We already had the full roster of the coven which someone had slipped Hanna since the coven wanted me to take them over.

Obviously not all of them for the right reasons but well, we’d figure it out.

The rest of the princesses were at Charlene’s coven… But she was already dead. Apparently, she knew it was coming and couldn’t bear the humiliation of being taken over, so she killed herself.

I wasn’t sure how that was any better, but I was a fan because I didn’t like having to kill people.

Shocking, right?