Page 14 of The Sea of Zemira (The Zemiran Chronicles 1)

“I—” Duncan started but stopped short when Val moved in front of him, shielding her lips from the prince and his guards.

“Shush it, Duncan! Don’t provoke the bampot,” she said quietly, where only he could hear her.

Duncan, proud yet terrified, tightened his chiseled jaw before he referred to the prince. “Alright. But take that one.” He pointed to the most expensive and detailed bow he had made. “A prince deserves the best and most luxurious of them all. This one took me twenty days to craft.”

Nola gave her father a discreet nod. Duncan knew too well how to play the game with the royal family. They needed praise to feel better about themselves. That and he had to make up for Nola’s uncontrollable need to say whatever was on her mind. Despite his cleverness, Nola hated herself for putting them in such a situation.

What was I thinking about coming here today?She thought.

The handsome prince tossed a large sack of coins to Duncan, paying over the asking price as agreed. Then Elijah handed the bow to his guard to hold and shook Duncan’s hand politely with a firm grip.

“I’ll return your daughter in one piece. I am a man of my word,” he said.

However, Nola was not sure if it was a promise he intended to keep.

She turned to her parents and kissed them both on each cheek.

“I’ll be fine,” she whispered.

“Shall we?” The prince opened his hand again for Nola to take, and she did it willingly despite hesitating for a split second. She noticed Elijah found amusement in her slight resistance and smirked as he pulled her out from under the tent.

“You know,” the prince started as they left the tent and walked down the aisle of vendors. “Most women are usually more thrilled to be in my presence.”

Well,she thought, isn’t he just like his father.

“Prince Elijah, I’m not like most women,” she said boldly. “But you know that already, don’t you?”

“That I do,” he said. “Nevertheless, I didn’t catch your name.”

“Nola,” she replied, bowing her head slightly. “Pleased to make your acquaintance.”

A sudden thought ran through her mind. Appear friendly, respectful, and the prince shall leave you alone.

“Quite a unique name, Nola. And, the pleasure is all mine,” he said and stopped abruptly at a jewelry vendor. She watched as he picked up a long delicate necklace from the front rack. From the fine chain hung a thinly shaped carnelian gemstone at the top. He handed it to her while signaling to his guards to take care of the payment.

“To match those eyes of yours.” A smile creased his handsome face as he pulled the necklace around her neck and latched it for her.

Nola’s delicate yet strong hands felt shaky, but she hid her discomfort with a smile.

“Thank you, Your Highness,” she murmured. Though she felt it polite to keep the peace between the two, dazzling her with jewels would not win her over.

“Elijah,” he corrected, “call me Prince Elijah.”

She fidgeted nervously with the bottom of her linen shirt until she felt the prince’s hand at the bridge of her back. Nola stiffened.

“Are you afraid of me, Nola?” he asked calmly.

She turned to him. “No,” she lied. “Well, under these circumstances, a little. I did imply your father was a narcissist.”

He chuckled playfully and turned to his guard.

“Leave us,” he said in an imperious, authoritative tone, waving his hand in the air. The guards stood back while the prince continued to escort her down the marketplace corridor.

“You’ve been forgiven,” he continued. “It’s not like you’re too far from the truth anyway...” His voice trailed off, and his attention appeared to have gone to another place.

She let out the breath she had been holding in.

“So,” she said, as the prince turned back to her, “I’m not being led to get my head cut off?” Her lips beamed in a self-appreciative way as his eyes searched her face.

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