Page 31 of Dark Prince's Captive

A roar rises from below.

“May her name be uttered with reverence and devotion for all eternity.”He wraps his big hand around mine where he clasps it on his arm and lifts it into the air.“Laliss!”

“Laliss!”the crowd shouts as one.

I blame my brain’s inability to form words on the stupefying experience of being dumped into a hall full of people who are staring at me as if I’m the most frightful creature they’ve seen.Yet even as their fearful faces are turned toward me, they chant that unfamiliar name like a horde of groupies at a rock concert.

I’m the one who should be petrified.

Hell, Iampetrified.

It’s a little unnerving to be the source of so much terror.Also, I’d be lying if I say it doesn’t stroke my ego a little.It’s like turning up at a Halloween party in the best costume.All my life, I’ve mostly been pitied.Being feared isn’t my number one choice of an elicited reaction, but I’ll take scary Elsie over pitied Elsie any day, even though they’re not calling me Elsie.

When we finally sit down, I lean toward Aruan and whisper, “Why do they look so frightened?Have they never seen someone from Earth?”

He looks at me as if he’d like to eat me.Alive.“They fear you because you’re my mate, but for the same reason, they’ll love you.”

Here we go again.“Aruan, what must I do to convince?—”

Abruptly, he pulls me to my feet again.

A line of servers enters with steaming platters that they place on the tables.Some carry big terracotta jugs and goblets.Others present trays of strangely shaped, brightly colored fruit.

Dragging me with him, Aruan makes his way to the head of the table.

“Father,” he says with a bow of his head.“It’s my honor to present Laliss, my mate.”

“Elsie,” I say.“And I’m not his mate.”

Both ignore my protest.I size up the man, who, in turn, is studying me from his thronelike chair.If he’s a king, that makes Aruan a prince.

Holy macaroni.

I’ve always wanted to meet a royal family, but I was thinking more along the lines of scones and tea at Windsor Castle or champagne and oysters on a yacht in Monaco.Something straight from a medieval fairy tale in a different world has never entered my mind.

The king studies me with the same keen interest as before.He hardly makes a secret of his quiet disdain.

“Welcome to Lona,Elsie,” he says with a slight narrowing of his gaze.“I hope that everything is to your liking.”

Before I can answer, Aruan pulls me to the other end of the table.When he stops in front of the queen, a palpable tension falls over the royal family.

The queen rises from her chair in a graceful movement.Her face is unlined, her skin as smooth as porcelain.She doesn’t look a day older than Gaia.Like Aruan, there’s a certain quality about her that demands attention.Everyone’s focus is fixed on her.It’s almost as if the guests are holding their breath while waiting for her next move.

Her smile is serene.“Welcome to your new home.”She reaches for my hand, but Aruan yanks me away, startling both his mother and me as he places himself like a wall between us.

She lowers her arm to her side with a sad little smile.“If you need anything?—”

“Her needs are my concern,” Aruan says in a harsh voice.

From the center of the table, Gaia lowers her eyes.Vitai looks sympathetic, and Kian is difficult to read.Their father observes us, perched like a falcon on the edge of his seat.

The queen sits down with a wounded air, but her back remains stiff and proud.

Aruan takes my elbow and guides me back to my chair.Once he’s seated me, servers approach with platters that they set down in the center of the table.One of the dishes resembles a roasted bird, but the rest is anyone’s guess.

Gaia must see the apprehension on my face because she leans forward and whispers, “You only have to pick at your food and pretend to eat.Aruan knew you’d probably be too nervous to enjoy the meal.That’s why he made sure you ate well earlier.”

I offer her a weak smile.How the fuck am I going to get myself out of here?The guards have formed a circle around our table.Worse, more guards entered during the introductions and are now standing at attention along the walls.

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