Page 62 of Princess of Thorns and Ruin

I snatch a wine glass from a tray and empty it in one swig, the alcohol warming my chest slightly. It sickens me that this drunk, misogynistic old pig will get to rule over my body, but I will not give him my heart. Nor my wits.

“Do you think I can change these people, Mr Beaumont? Do you believe that, with time, I could convince them to drink less and work more?” I ask, suddenly feeling like it’s quite an impossible task.

“I doubt it, your grace.”

I nod in agreement, my stomach in knots. Whether Victor embellished his views of my position here on purpose or not, I will not let my spirit be broken by this cruel, cruel hand fate has dealt me.

I will be queen.

I will find a way to make this work for me and change things for the better.

I have to.

… Oh Gods…

What if I can’t?

The thought brings a bitter tang to my mouth, and I realize I’ve nicked my tongue with my new pair of sharp canines. Alec looms behind me, but I don’t dare to look at his face, terrified of the emotions it might stir up.

I make my way to Lucas instead, desperate for a friendly ear. “Can you believe this?”

The young vampire stares down at the bottom of his own cup, hidden in the back of the crowded room. “Mm?”

“It’s much worse than we heard. Did you know? I’m not sure we’ll be able to do much, not if everyone here is drugged.” I snort at the ridiculousness of it all. “It’s hard to think any of these lords can sober up long enough to hear our pleas, fight in any war, or hunt outlawed demons efficiently. They can barely stand up.”

His shoulders move uncomfortably underneath his jacket, his gaze avoiding mine at all cost. “They’re not so bad.”

Right. Most of the men here are related to him in some way. He rejected me in the plane, and that stings, but the crafted, completely fake aloofness he exudes now stings harder.

Lucas pushes himself off the wall. “We can’t constantly be seen together. It’ll look suspicious.”

And with that, my childhood friend walks away, tearing up all the memories we made together.

As I swallow back fresh tears, a discreet, gentle graze ghosts along my back, and I shudder at the implications.

Alec Beaumont might get on my nerves, he might be the most insufferable, arrogant bodyguard the world has ever known, but he’s my only true ally here. Leo hates me, and Lucas made his allegiance clear.

I chat with a few lords and ladies, exchanging pleasantries for the better part of the night while the king gorges himself on his blood slave, oblivious to my presence.

Feeling desperate and numb, I search the room for an escape and collide with a striking, powdery-blue gaze. My mouth opens in surprise, and I excuse myself from the empty conversations before inching toward the back of the room.

The blue-eyed stranger is leaning on the bar. A velvet-blue suit highlights his broad shoulders, chestnut curls lick the top of his brows, and a crafted air of innocence clings to his boyish face. A bright halo of power shimmers around his head, and the air catches in my throat, the sight of the immortal sparking a flare of longing in my belly.

The man blinks over to me—by the bar one moment and besides me the next. He bows, eyes cast down. “I’m Keenan McCaillin. At your service, princess.” A thick accent laces his words—low and ancient.

“You’re an angel.”

“In the flesh. I’ve been tasked with your welfare by the king.”

I raise my wine glass to Alec standing barely a foot behind me. “Get in line. I already have a bodyguard.”

“Yes, well, your friend here is expected to return home after the wedding. I’m here to replace him when he leaves.”

My eyes bounce to Alec, and his gaze drops to the floor, confirming the stranger’s claim. My chest contracts, tight and painful.

When Alec leaves, I will be utterly and completely alone.

Working hard to seem unaffected, I skim the lapels of the angel’s smooth jacket. “I’m surprised the king would choose you to watch over me.”

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