Page 35 of Dark Prince's Captive

Just as the liquid is about to touch my lips, Pip the anurognathus plunges through the air and knocks the goblet from Aruan’s hand.

Tepid, fizzling liquid spills down the front of my dress.The goblet falls to the floor with the unmistakable sound of glass breaking.

I look down in shocked surprise as a bright purple stain blooms over the fabric that covers my breasts.

Aruan is on his feet in a second, his furious gaze trained on Pip, who escapes through an open archway that acts as a window.

“Oh, dear,” the queen says, jumping up.

Aruan grabs a napkin from the table.“Here.”

Taking my hand, he helps me to stand before dabbing at the spillage on my dress.

“It’s nothing,” I say, both elated and scared.

As relieved as I am not to have to drink this, I don’t want Pip to be in trouble.

“I’ll kill that pixie,” Aruan says through clenched teeth.

My heartbeat spikes.“Please don’t!It was just an accident.”

A scurrying noise on the floor draws my gaze.

A lizard with spikes on its back—a tuatara, if I’m not mistaken—is greedily lapping up the puddle of nectar that lies at my feet.

I can’t help but smile at the prehistoric cuteness.“Aww.”

Aruan pushes it away with the toe of his boot.“These pets don’t belong under the table.”

“Sorry,” Gaia says, appearing guilty.“But in my defense, everyone lets them lick up crumbs.”

The king gives her a stern look.“You mean you like to feed it treats from your plate when you think we’re not looking.”

“Aruan,” the queen says, her voice calm despite the concern painted over her face.“Allow me to take your mate to my quarters and help her get changed.”

“You?”he says with scorn.

The table starts shaking, jostling the cutlery and crockery.

Everyone leaps from their seats.

Kian rounds the table and places himself in front of the queen.“It’s better if Gaia assists Laliss—if Gaia assistsElsie, Mother.You’re needed here.You’re the only one who can order another carafe for the toast.”

“But it will take hours to infuse,” the queen says.“The batch the pixie spilled had brewed since this morning.”

“I told you to have those insolent pixies chased out of the palace,” the king grumbles.“I’d rather chase off a snake than one of those sly little vultures.”

“Oh, Elsie,” Gaia says, coming toward me.“I’m so sorry this happened.”

“I’m fine.”I rub at the stain on my dress.“It’s just a little wetness.”

“No, it’s not,” Vitai says, pointing at the floor.

We all look in that direction.The tuatara lies on its back, keeled over, its long tongue hanging from its mouth to the floor.

I bend down.“Oh, no.”What’s the matter with it?

I reach out to touch it, not sure what I can do to help, but Aruan locks his fingers around my bicep and jerks me away so viciously I almost get whiplash.

---