Page 88 of A Song of Shadow and Starlight

Atlas and I side eye one another and I hope he will follow my lead and double down on my lie.

"Atlas?" the king echoes. "Is that what happened?"

"It would appear so, Uncle."

After a brief, silent stare down, the king rests his elbow on his armrest and cups his jaw. "From your letter, I was led to believe this was an unsanctioned kidnapping."

Atlas' cocky mask is back in place, my confidence fueling his fire. "I apologize if I wasn't clear about the Princess' visit, Uncle. If you recall, I was never fond of written correspondence in my schooling days."

"Perhaps, you should leave the reports to Finn. He's the most responsible of you three." King Soren turns back to me and places his palm against his chest. "Forgive me, Princess, it seems I was mistaken."

"There is nothing to forgive." I say sweetly, offering him a warm smile. Whether or not he believed the lie I spun, I know he won't accuse a visiting royal of being deceitful. His hands are tied, if he wishes to honor that courtesy to me.

"As my guest, you are welcome to stay in the castle."

"Thank you, Your Highness, but if it's alright with you, I would prefer to stay with the Harlands for the duration of my stay. I don't have a Midorian escort, and I have formed a kinship with your nephews."

"Granted." The king bobs his head in agreement before shifting to his other side and tapping his fingers against his armrests. "You said you came here to acquire knowledge from Calmara?"

"Yes."

When I don't offer more information readily, Soren tilts his head and asks, "May I inquire what it is you seek?"

I wish I hadn't been so anxious about meeting the king this morning and had taken a moment to ask Atlas how much to reveal about my magic and quest. Even though I hated Master Kaius' lessons, his voice swims in my head, warning me to keep pertinent information secret. "It is nothing of great importance. Just a personal matter."

A flash of amusement crosses King Soren's face. He leans forward, rooting his elbows to his knees and letting his hands dangle in front of him. "Would this matter of non-importance have anything to do with your Frost Elf features? Or perhaps, it has something to do with your rare light magic?"

My nostrils flare as I side-eye Atlas, but he doesn't look my way. How could he tell his king everything? Doesn't he know the jeopardy he's put me in? What if his king wants me to use my magic against my own people? What if he wants to marry me off to his son to trap me? What if he sees me as a threat and has me executed?

But then again, I should have known it's Soren who has his unwavering loyalty and devotion, not me.

"You should know better than anyone, my lady, that I have eyes and ears everywhere." The king grins. "I know about your magic. I know until recently you had a different physical form. And I know that you have had a run in with Soul Eaters, who are employed by your fiancé."

So much for all of Master Kaius' teachings. "What do you want from me?"

Why does he look confused?

"Want from you?" he asks.

Gone are the royal pleasantries I've been schooled in since birth. I am determined to show this king I'm not just a pretty face, I have claws too. "Everyone wants something, Your Highness." I stare at him with sharpened eyes. "I may have lived a life of luxury, but even I know nothing in life worth having is free. So, I ask again, and I implore you to be transparent with me, what do you want from me?"

He smirks, and although he addresses his nephew, his gaze is fixed on me. "Your letter was correct about one thing, Atlas. She is very sharp. You're right, Princess. There is something I want from you." He scratches his beard and rolls his shoulders back. "I believe we can help one another, if you're willing to making a deal."

I'm sure whatever thoughts are running wild through the king's mind, they can't be innocent ones, but my curiosity gets the better of me. "What kind of deal?"

"I will ensure your safety in Tronovia and give you access to everything Calmara and our School of Magic have to offer, in exchange for an alliance."

"Unfortunately," I say with a clipped tone, "I can't promise such a thing between our kingdoms. I do not yet wear the crown -"

"It's not an alliance with Midori that I seek, but one with you," he interrupts me, and I'm taken aback.

"You want to form an alliance with me?" I ask, glancing at Atlas who is standing so stiff he could be mistaken for a statue. "What can I possibly offer you?"

"When Bastian wages war – because it's not a matter of if, but when – I want to know that you will fight on our side."

I furrow my brow. "You are asking me, the heir to the Midorian throne, to swear fealty to you? To swear to fight against my own people for access to your library? That hardly seems fair, my lord, and if I may speak freely, it is insulting."

"I'm asking you to pledge your magic to defend the Kingdoms of Dalerin when the Beast of Midori -"

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