Page 42 of The Stolen Princess
She let out a mocking laugh that bothered Drake. What could she possibly be laughing about now?
“So Albion’s army is led by a teenager? How interesting.” Her satisfied smirk made his muscles tense.
Teenager?
Drake was legitimately offended. How could she possibly think of him as a teenager? He was a large guy, and he grew facial hair faster than some forty-year-olds he’d met.
“Twenty-four is hardly a teenager,” he scoffed.
Her eyes swept over his entire body, appraising him. A disinterested expression fell across her face. “It’s hardly a man either.”
She was doing this on purpose—getting under his skin to annoy him—and she was good at it. But two could play this game.
“I’m not sure you’re the best judge of men since you’re so loyal to King Adler.”
“He’s my father. Aren’t you loyal to your father?” She gave him a look of mock pity. “Or has he disowned you because he’s ashamed of your life choices? Is he proud of the fact that he raised a kidnapper?”
“He would be proud of me if he was still alive. But King Adler killed my father in the war between Tolsten and Albion.”
“I don’t remember my father fighting in the war, so I’m pretty sure he didn’tkillyour father.”
“You know what I mean.”
She hugged her knees tight to her chest. “Well, it looks like we have something in common, then. Both of us have lost a parent.”
He shrugged, ignoring her statement that they had something in common. It wasn’t a good idea to find commonalities with a prisoner, especially when he was trying not to like her.
“Wash up if you want. We’ll be leaving soon,” Winslow said as he walked past them. “I want to get a little farther before the sun goes down.”
Myka’s eyes followed after him. “Is the old man in charge of your group?”
“No. We’re all equals.”
“Then why is he the one calling all the shots?”
Drake shrugged. “Winslow likes to hear himself speak.” He stood and began tying the rope back around his belt. “We’ll wash up at the river,” he said, pulling the rope until she stood as well. He dragged her to the water, taking his shirt off on the way and throwing it behind him. He bent down and scooped up the cold water, dumping it over his head and chest. When he turned his head, he caught Myka standing there, watching him.
He smirked. “Enjoying the show?”
“Hardly.” She rolled her eyes. Then she dramatically peeled off her gray jacket and dropped it to the ground beside them. She wore the same white t-shirt and gray pants that she’d worn at Rommel’s house. A month ago, Drake had thought she looked cute in her strange clothes. Today, the clothes irritated him. She was like her father, ignoring the rules set in place by the Council of Essentials, even down to something as simple as the modesty guidelines. She bent over and threw water on her bare arms and face.
She turned her head to the side, with squinty eyes from the drips of water running into them. “Enjoying the show?” she said back to him.
Drakehadbeen watching her, but not for the reasons she’d thought. He turned his focus away. “You’re not my type.”
If he told himself that enough times, maybe it would become true.
Myka scoffed. “That’s not how it seemed earlier.”
“You’re mistaken.” He splashed more water over his arms, trying to convince himself she was a job, a means to an end.
“There are riders outside of the trees,” Grady yelled to the group in a panic.
Drake grabbed the princess and shoved her against the trunk of a tree. He leaned his body into her so she couldn’t be seen, and his free hand went for the knife in his pocket.
“Hey, watch it!” She squirmed beneath him.
He dug the edge of his knife into her neck. “Not one word,” he whispered. “Or I’ll make sure you can never speak again.” The threat came out harsh, but if Tolsten soldiers were nearby, their entire plan would be ruined. He needed the princess to stay quiet, and the only way he was going to get her to do that was if she was scared that he might hurt her. Her breath caught as she eyed Drake’s knife. He glanced around at the other operatives with him. They hid behind trees and boulders with their guns drawn. Everyone waited in silence, straining to hear if the riders in the distance were coming for them. Winslow motioned for Grady and Dawsick to go ahead and assess the situation.
