Page 67 of The Lost Princess

I cracked my eyes open, resisting the urge to groan as the massive, vaulted ceilings greeted me past the bars of the cage. We were in the audience hall after all.

“Look alive, boys!” one soldier called to the others.

I gave up any pretense of sleep as I shot to my feet, backing up to the opposite end of my cage as the massive wooden doors of the hall opened. The guards around me straightened, and in walked the advisory council, twelve of Alfred’s closest confidantes. Each of them had watched me grow up from afar, always pushing their sons on me as husbands or their daughters as ladies for my retinue. Judging by the glares and looks of glee being sent my way, they knew exactly who I was.

Ice flooded my veins.

“Gentlemen! As you can see, we’ve had a bit of a …changeto the succession.” Alfred offered no more explanation, but gestured them forward to examine me. I snarled at them all, baring my fangs.

“I knew the attraction wasn’t natural,” muttered Lord Peltan, his blue eyes chips of frozen ice as he looked down his nose at me. “She was a creature this entire time! And we almost had our sons breed with it!”

Murmurs and shouts of agreement rang around the room, the men turning as one to Alfred to demand an explanation. He gave them a smirk, gesturing with his hands for them to settle down. “My friends, there is no need for anger. The error was caught, and this changeling creature will no longer be able to usurp our noble bloodlines.”

I snorted.

“What I ask for is your cooperation in a deal that would be profitable for everyone,” he finished grandly, smiling benevolently at them all.

Lord Morose stepped forward calmly, his expression blank. “Go on.”

Alfred rubbed his hands together. “The Cillians must have known. When they demanded to take her, they brought her straight toward their mountain monster—a male of the same species. He corrupted her, but I feel confident we can use her to lure him back here. Once captured, we could have a mated pair. Just think—a draken creature for each of you to show off at your parties!”

Their thoughtful expressions made me sick. I wasn’t an animal. Neither was Nasi.

“But your majesty, what of the succession?” Lord Sarian’s eyes only flicked to me briefly, reminding Alfred of the fact that the kingdom was now without an heir and princess. Hope rose within me. Surely the people wouldn’t stand for that, would they?

Alfred grinned. “I plan to marry again to a young enough girl of suitable breeding. I expect to have a proper heir in no time. Many of you have daughters of age, do you not? I see no need to marry a foreigner. Look at the trouble they’ve brought us.”

Their thoughtful looks turned gleeful and greedy even as they eyed each other with calculating gazes: sharks and sycophants, the lot of them. They moved closer toward my cage, closing in on me.

The soldier to my left caught me in the mouth with a sharp jab of his elbow. Hot blood dripped down my lip, dark blue like Nasi’s. The nobles watched with barely concealed disgust and fascination.

“Interesting, isn’t it? I’ve sent for a specialist from the southern coast to come to court. Apparently, he has experience dealing with the creatures. He was the one who suggested luring the male in his letter.” Alfred eyed me nastily, and it punched a hole straight through my heart. I suppose it was easier to accept that he’d never truly loved me at all. That was more palatable than someone turning from love to hate so easily.

I tried not to think of Nasi.

Alfred clapped his hands loudly, and the double doors opened again. Selena strutted in wearing a brand new dress, cut so low her bosom practically spilled out of it. She balanced a tray with drinks carefully in front of her, a bright smile on her face. Materi was nowhere to be seen.

An involuntary choking sound left my throat, red haze coloring the edges of my vision.

Selena was just as bad as they were. I’d thought she was my friend—no, more than that even. More like a sister or even a favorite aunt. But no, she used me and tricked me for her own gain, just like the others.

I watched with mounting frustration as she served each man a drink, her hips swaying as she weaved in between them.

“A toast to new beginnings!” Alfred exclaimed, holding the goblet high as a splash of dark red liquid sloshed over the rims.

The men echoed his cheer, their exclamations ringing around the large, empty hall. The sound grated on my ears and squashed any burgeoning hope in my chest. They all drank heavily, emptying the goblets and giving them back to Selena, who walked around collecting them. The men took advantage to pinch her hips or give her backside a swat.

My jaw dropped, never seeing them act so brazenly before. Though to be fair, when I was his daughter, Alfred kept me isolated and sheltered. Was this him and his men’s true nature? Why did Selena bear it all with a brittle smile and flashing eyes?

Alfred finished his last, smacking his lips and flinging the cup at Selena who barely caught it. “I have spent years denying your requests and keeping the princess safe. However, there is no longer a princess, is there?”

He leered toward his men as if telling a grand joke. They elbowed each other, some with looks of excitement. Others looked wary and cautious.

“I must take my leave and meet our guest. In the meantime, I believe you’re owed some time to get to know this creature and her intricacies so you may better care for yours once you have them.”

Alfred tossed a key to Peltan and strode from the hall, taking the guards with him. I didn’t like the predatory gazes being thrown at me. Selena slunk back into a corner, forgotten completely as they stalked toward my cage.

I pressed myself against the opposite corner. My body vibrated with anxiety as Peltan approached with the key, the other men backing him up.

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