Page 113 of The Nymph Prince
Malik shot forward to be by my side as I faced the man. He didn’t think I could take care of myself. Always needing a guard. A protector.
The guards kicked the back of the captive’s legs and he fell to his knees in front of me.
“What’s your name?” I asked.
His bruised face looked even worse up close. “Bane.”
“Suitable name for you,” I responded. “Why did you plan to kill me?”
Bane smirked. “You can torture me all you want, but still, I will not answer. And when I die, I will smile at having taken my secret with me.”
“You’re right about you dying,” I said, reaching and grabbing a fistful of his hair. I tilted his head back and smiled down at him. “But youwilltell me what I want to know.” I called forth my power. “Tell me why you wanted me dead.”
His eyes widened as a struggle appeared in them. No one could fight my power. He’d be forced to answer.
“Because you are on the wrong side of this war,” Bane said. Spit flew from his lips as he fought to stay silent.
“And what side should I be on?” I leaned in, glaring down at him.
Bane started to laugh; a cackling, unsettling sound. “The one of the true k—”
It all happened so fast.
The guard to the left drew his dagger and plunged it into the side of Bane’s neck. Blood spurted out, and the prisoner gasped with his dying breaths. The guard snatched hold of my arm and raised the dagger.
I was in a state of shock, unable to react in time. He was about to kill me, and all I could do was stare.
Malik was a blur as he dashed forward, grabbed the rogue guard, and broke his neck. There was a sickening snap before the guard’s body collapsed to the marble floor. The other guard stepped backward, obviously just as confused as the rest of us. Then I was in Malik’s arms, against his chest. His large arms surrounded me as he shielded my body with his.
“Are you hurt, my prince?” he whispered.
Too shocked, I could only shake my head.
“Take the prince to his chamber!” Father ordered. “Station three more guards outside his door.Trustedguards.”
More orders were shouted as I was rushed out of the throne room. Not only did we have traitors among the people, but in the royal guard, as well. The guard had killed Bane, because he hadn’t wanted him to tell the truth.
How many others had been corrupted? And why?
One thing I knew for certain? Avalontis was no longer safe. Not when snakes slithered in shadow. Some even hid in plain sight.
“Troy!” I tried to leave Malik’s arms, but he held me tighter. “He’s in the kitchen. Malik, you have to find him!”
If guards were turning on their prince, they’d easily turn on his best friend.
“I cannot leave your side,” Malik responded, his voice strained. He cared for Troy. Probably much more than he showed. His duty came first, though. “Once you are safe, I will find him.”
In the corridor that led to my chamber, we met Alek and Reif. Alek was smiling as he talked while Reif nodded and intently looked around.
“There’s been another attack,” Malik said to Reif. His use ofanothermade it clear that Reif had known about the near-attack from the night before, as well. “Secure Prince Lorcan and Alek in the prince’s chamber and do not let anyone enter. Understood? No one can be trusted. Especially not the guards.”
“The guards?” Reif asked, placing a hand on Alek’s shoulder to stop him.
Malik nodded.
Alek’s face was pale, and I felt his urgency to have me in his arms. Now that we were fully mated, our bond was stronger than ever before.
Reif and Alek walked with us to my chamber. Once we were outside the door, Malik released me. He peered down at me, brushing the hair out of my face.
