Page 60 of The Lost Princess

Now? I knew nothing. I consoled myself with the knowledge that if she were truly in danger, she’d let out a distress call. I’d be able to find her blindfolded and deaf if she did that.

And yet, the other half of me was terrified. I knew how these humans reacted when they saw me. In another life I freely walked among them, but those were clearly different times when there were different customs. They didn’t know drakens. They only saw a winged beast.

If I got caught, I could die. Then Kaida would have no one.

The very thought kept me cautious and considering. I would find her, but I would be smart about it. Patient.

I grabbed the edge of the balcony and let go of the castle wall with my rear claws. I hauled myself over, flattening down against the railing. I listened hard for an entire minute, counting to one hundred.

Nothing.

I crept forward into what were obviously the king’s quarters. Rich fabric flew softly around me, gently whispering against the floor to shield the entrance to the balcony. I swatted swaths of purples and reds out of my face, slipping further inside.

I wasn’t prepared for what I saw, but I should have been. This must be the king’s rooms. All around me were richly appointed furnishings. Gold silverware, marble floors, and ceilings high enough that I could fly if needed. Food was just left lying out for whenever the king desired a snack. I frowned. Hadn’t Kaida said people were starving? Unless that was a lie as well?

Sweat dotted my brow as I took in my lavish surroundings. No wonder Kaida wanted to come back here and leave my dingy cave.

My stomach soured at that thought. There was no way she was comfortable living with me after having all of this. Not only was I a fool, but I was also blind. Of course a princess would be used to a different life. What if everything had been an act from her? A ruse to keep me calm while she planned her escape?

Besides, what could I offer her compared to this?

The answer hurt. I couldn’t offer her anything. She was better off without me even if it meant living as a human. The argument I heard was likely some minor tiff with her father. Parents and children had them often or so I imagined. I didn’t really remember much of my own parents. Arguing with the king didn’t necessarily mean she was in danger.

My mind told me to go back home—that Kaida had clearly chosen, and she hadn’t chosen me. She said she’d come back to me, but why would she? Why would anyone who faced the same choice?

But my legs wouldn’t move, my muscles frozen with indecision. I loved her. I wanted her back. Yet, I wouldn’t argue her choice or force her into anything.

So I turned around and walked past the billowing fabric and gold-edged plates, past the bowls of fruit and baked delicacies. I dismissed the chairs with fabric richer than anything that had ever touched my skin. I moved out into the sun, which burned with a vengeance this close to midday. My hands grasped the stone railing, my claws leaving small gouges in the stone. I didn’t care.

Kaida didn’t need me. I was the one who neededher. I couldn’t live with myself if I trapped her into a life simply because she was afraid of me..

I chanced one glance back.

Kaida would be just fine without me.

I flew away.

ChapterNineteen

KAIDA

My head felt fuzzy. I opened my eyes, and large, iron bars filled my vision. My mind snapped back in an instant and I sat straight up, ignoring how my body protested. The scales on my palm met cold metal, my claws scraping against iron bars but not leaving any marks.

Shock and horror flooded my body.

He’d actually put me in a goddamncage.

It only left me an arm’s length above my head and the ability to move two steps in any direction.

“Change to the correct form and I’ll let you out.”

I jerked, then saw King Alfred lounging a few feet away on a chaise. He rose and took careful steps toward me, his face lined with concern.

Lies.

If he cared for me, he wouldn’t have caged me.

I had to keep my wings tucked on my back, since the cage didn’t have enough room for them to spread. I’d never liked tight, confined spaces before, and now I knew why. My inner draken was panicking, not seeing a way out. I took a steadying breath.

---