Page 2 of The Stolen Princess
Adler laughed as he glanced up to Stoddard. “She’s the only eight-year-old girl I know who would rather fight bad guys than play tea party.”
“How cute.” Stoddard raised his eyebrows, but the scowl on his face showed his disinterest in the princess.
If Stoddard knew what was good for him, he would be sucking up to the princess right now. Adler straightened, and they continued walking, Myka trailing behind them. “It’s more than cute,” Adler said. “Myka is the future of this kingdom, and she will rule after me.”
“What makes you so confident she’ll win an election when your reign is up?” Stoddard questioned, his dark eyes darting to the little girl.
“Myka will be queen if I say she will.”
“She’s still young. It is too soon to know that.”
“It’s already been decided. Money controls everything. I don’t need votes or an election. I’ll buy Myka the crown. And the missiles stashed away are my insurance policy.”
Stoddard’s expression flattened. “Then I’m sure the princess will make a wonderful queen someday.” He didn’t mean what he said, Adler could easily see that.
“Dad!” Myka whined behind him.
“Set up the game,” he said, smiling at his daughter. “I’ll be there soon.”
Myka stomped away as his focus went back to the commander. “That will be all, Stoddard. I’m sure you have more important things to do than watch a father play with his daughter.”
“Of course, Your Majesty.” Stoddard flicked the leaf in his fingers to the ground and bowed before leaving.
“Dad!” Myka pulled on his arm. “Were you even listening?”
“Yes, I was listening.”
“No, you weren’t. You were talking to Stoddard.” Her fists went to her hips as her pink lips pressed into a frown. “You said you would play with me.”
He hadn’t been listening to his daughter’s made-up storyline, but he wouldn’t tell her that. He knew better than to provoke Myka’s feistiness. “I am,” he defended. He walked over to her tree stump and sat cross-legged in the dirt. He picked up one of the acorns she’d placed on his leaf plate and pretended to eat it. “Princess Myka, this meal is delicious.”
Her brows drew together. “You weren’t listening. I said the food is poisoned. You should be choking like the poison is killing you.”
A surprised laugh escaped his lips. “Why would you poison your guest? Aren’t I the prince?”
“Dad!” She threw her hands out to the side. “I told you. You’re not a prince.”
“Are you sure? Most little girls like to pretend they’re eating with a prince.”
She shook her head, flapping her braids against her shoulders. “This isn’t a love story. This is an adventure.”
“Then who am I?” he asked.
She let out a loud breath. “You’ve come to take over the kingdom.” She raised her shoulders as she spoke. “You’re the bad guy.”
His throat thickened, and he looked away from his daughter. The last thing he wanted was for Myka to think he was a bad guy.
“Dad?” Myka’s voice sweetened.
He couldn’t look at her.
She stepped closer, placing her little hand on his shoulder. “You’re not really a bad guy. It’s just pretend.”
He forced a large smile, overcompensating for the tightness stirring in his chest. “I know, darling. I’m one of the good guys.”
Her fingers traced his neck. “Did mommy go away because she thought you were bad?”
Myka had been sad ever since her mother had left two months ago. Adler hadn’t told her where the queen went. She was too young for all of that, and he wanted to protect her. He wrapped his arm around her tiny waist, lifting her to sit on his knee. “No. Your mother left because she was weak and selfish. She’s not strong like us.”
