Page 83 of Royal Captive
“I know. You’re the princess. Or queen, depending on who you ask.”
“I never got a crown—” No matter how many times I said it, it didn’t matter to anyone. I’d been given this title, so I was stuck with it. “Can I go now? Out with the others?”
I moved past the man and wrapped my hands around the bars of my cell, trying to peer out into the hallway and down toward the yard where the rest of the prisoners had gone. More shouts and cheer erupted from down the hall, but I couldn’t see into the yard.
The fae guard chuckled next to me from outside the bars. “I wouldn’t ask to be let out. They’re in the middle of a game.”
My eyes narrowed. “Hayida said you wouldn’t make them play games since the last Hunt just happened.”
The guard shrugged. “We follow orders. The king says to train the prisoners, so we train the prisoners.”
“And who cares if we die, right?” I sneered bitterly, but the guard didn’t answer. I turned back toward the human man, who had already picked up my tray and stood awkwardly behind me, holding it out.
“Do you have a name?” I asked, trying to remember my manners. Princess indeed. I took in his modest clothing and clean appearance. His tunic was a deep russet and made of linen, not silk, and though his breeches and leather boots showed signs of wear, they were in good condition with no holes. He looked hale and more healthy than most people back home in the northern realm, let alone a slave.
“Desmond, head baker,” he replied as the guard turned the key in the lock and let him out. He skedaddled without looking back at me once.
Smart man.
“Pleasure,” I grit out at his retreating back, my cell door slamming shut behind him.
One of these days I’d get alone with another human here and be able to have a real heart-to-heart about freedom, slavery, and privilege.
Today, however, was clearly not that day. I turned as the guard paused at my door.
“Ah, good. You ate. Would you like out?” he asked, an odd lilt to his voice that had nothing to do with his accent.
“Uh, yeah. I’d just asked that, hadn’t I?” I clarified, not trusting the sudden courtesy after being warned what the others were up to. I wanted to make sure Ellis was OK, but no oneelse could get to me while I was in here. It wasn’t something I had really considered until the guard in front of me gazed at me hungrily.
“The others said you were in a pleasure house. I could let you out to entertain me now that we’re alone. In return for a few extra … perks.”
My face flushed at his implication. “I am not a whore,” I snapped. “I—”
“You fucked the princes, yes? Why are you upset? We both get something we want out of it.” He grinned, flashing fangs at me. “I am not a terrible lover, I assure you.”
My mouth snapped shut at his genuinely incredulous tone. He truly didn’t understand why I wasn’t thankful for such a generous offer. My flabbers were gasted.
I licked my lips, wrapping my hands around the bars and cocking my hip out as I considered it. It could be my only chance to get important information.
“I might be open to negotiations,” I started shakily, giving him a good once-over. He was handsome with dirty blond hair braided away from his face. His silver eyes sparked with interest.
“Name your terms,” he said succinctly.
I blinked, not expecting it to be that easy. “I … uh …”
“I can think of a few.” He unlocked the door to my cell, the clink of the lock giving oddly loud.
I took an involuntary step backward as he moved into my cell, but he shook a finger at my face. “Oh, don’t be bashful now. Hurry and name your terms, or they’ll be up to me.”
My brain spun frantically, but I couldn’t come up with anything. All I could focus on was how his eyes glowed, how his hands reached for me, and how plump his lips were.
“Alihandro is notoriously picky about his bedmates, so you must be quite good.” His breath was in my ear, sending shiversdown my spine as his finger trailed gently down my throat. How had he gotten so close so quickly?
Fae speed, you moron.
I should scream. I should call for help. Would it matter? I’d agreed to this, after all.Quick! Think of some goddamn terms!
Those lips descended toward mine and I lost the ability to think any coherent thoughts. Desperately, I twisted my head to the side, and his lips landed directly on the mark Alihandro’s teeth had left.
