The Traitor Princess

I meet with Kelgar first.

He is one of the two knights and I suspect he is simply here as a filler, to make it feel like more of a contest. Though this man is rich, we all know he cannot offer what a warlord can.

I’m sitting in a chair facing him while Manox sits across the room, watching every goddamn moment.

Kelgar is polite, gentlemanly even. He asks me about my childhood, about what I do to occupy my time.

I wonder what he’s offering, what dowry he has. He tells me about his home, about his horses in particular. Apparently, it’s a great passion of his and I’m relieved that as soon as he gets onto the topic, he doesn’t shut up.

He just talks and talks, filling the awkwardness, and before we know it, Manox calls time and he is bowing to me.

“One down,” Manox mutters and I can tell he is hating this as much as me only I don’t react. I’m not stupid enough to.

It could easily be a trap, a ploy to see what my true feelings are so he can relay them back to Emet and then my brother will make me pay for it.

Okini is next. He is the only other knight.

Apparently, we’re getting these two out the way first before I face the four warlords. Like Kelgar, he asks me a few questions before talking about himself.

I watch his face, act interested, feign politeness, and soon he is bowing and leaving.

Gariss is the third.

We follow what is now a familiar routine though I make the mistake of having my hands on the table before us and he tries to touch me. Manox jumps to his feet, ordering him back and the poor man looks mortified.

Thankfully, Manox calls time and he is ushered out before the situation gets any worse.

I take a sip of my water before the next one walks in. I’m tired. I’m on edge.

Emet kept us waiting so long for food that now it’s late and all I want to do is leave.

“Princess,” the man says, and I stand to curtsy, seeing Tonath.

I don’t know why this man makes me so uneasy, but I can barely hold his gaze for more than a second. He bows to me then glances at the seats, but makes no move to sit, so I’m forced to stand before him.

“Your brother has this all set up, doesn’t he?” he murmurs quietly.

I don’t know how to respond and I glance at Manox who clearly hasn’t heard.

“You are very quiet; do you not have a voice?” he asks.

“In what respect?” I say.

“In this, this contest he has construed.”

I grit my teeth. I wonder if he grasps the danger I am in and that his questioning is making it worse.

“Does it not concern you at all, Princess?” he asks.

“Does what concern me?” I say, keeping my voice as quiet as his.

“You entertaining suitors while you are technically betrothed?” he states.

My eyes widen, and for a second, I feel so panicked. “I…” I scrunch my face up. “My brother—”

“Apparently doesn’t care,” he says, cutting across me.

“And you do?” I reply.

His lips curl. “I know King Kaldan’s reputation. I would be a fool not to be concerned.”

“And yet you are still here,” I say before I can stop myself.

He laughs. “So, you do have a little spirit then? You’re not just the emptyheaded princess you profess to be.”

I glance at Manox. He’s watching us now. Clearly Tonoth’s laughter brought too much attention.

“I am what I am,” I reply. “I do as my brother commands.”

He narrows his eyes. “Whatever your brother commands?” he asks too loudly for my liking.

“Yes,” I say, not because I want to, but because I have to. Because Manox is watching, Manox is listening. I can’t say anything else. I can’t do anything else.

His face turns to something deadly for a second and then he bows.

“Thank you, Princess,” he says.

“You still have two more minutes, Lord Tonath,” Manox says.

“I have taken all the time I need,” Tonath replies before glancing at me with what feels like a look of disdain.

As soon as he’s gone, Manox is on me. “What did you say to him? What did he ask?” he hisses.

“You were here, you heard it,” I reply.

He shakes his head. “Do not tell your brother of this.”

“Of what?”

“That he spoke of him. That he asked of him.”

I nod. I know exactly who he’s referring too. And there’s no way in hell I will mention it to my brother.

Vesak walks in and Manox freezes for a second.

“Lord Vesak,” he says to the warlord. “Please sit,” he adds as smoothly as he can.

Vesak looks from Manox to me and he takes my hand before Manox can stop him and guides me toward the seats. Clearly Manox is too flustered from what Tonath said to do anything more.

“You are very beautiful,” he says with a thick accent.

I give a small smile.

“Of course all of the men must say this. Such a beauty as you are.”

I don’t know how to respond? What would you even say to that?

“If you choose me, Princess, you would make me the happiest man alive. I would dedicate my life to your comforts. I would build a great palace for you. I would have musicians serenade your every step…”

“That sounds intense,” I reply.

He chuckles. “No, Princess. It is what you deserve. I would buy you the finest dresses, cover your skin in the most expensive jewels. You would be the rarest of creatures, the finest of queens.”

“But I’m not a queen,” I say quickly.

It’s been made perfectly clear that while I am a princess that title goes the minute I am married. That my husband will not bear any such claim to royalty.

“You will be a queen of my heart,” he says.

I think my jaw literally drops and I see Manox from the corner of my eye trying not to snigger. He continues on like this for five more agonizing minutes and then thank the gods his time is up.

I sink into my chair exhausted once he’s gone.

“One left, Princess,” Manox states and I let out a low breath. One left for this moment of torture, but how many more days will my life hold?

Luxley struts into the room.

The others have been bold and confident, but there’s something in the way this man looks at me that makes me unnerved.

He glances at Manox then runs his eyes over me, watching me as I curtsy and leering down my dress when he can.

He sits and says nothing for a few minutes, and I wonder if he’s even going to speak at all.

“You are quiet,” he says. “Very quiet.”

I nod.

“I like that. I like obedience too. I see how you are with your brother. How you defer to him. He has brought you up well.”

I bite my tongue, determined not to respond.

“Can you ride?”

“Yes.”

“Good. Can you dance?”

“Yes.”

“Sing?”

“Yes.”

It feels like an interrogation. He’s relentless, his eyes are too. They never waver from me, not for a second.

“Stand up,” he says, and I glance at Manox who nods for me to do as I’m told.

I bury the sigh, getting to my feet. He yanks my hand and I half-yelp, but Manox does nothing to stop him. Apparently, this warlord is being given free rein.

He stares at me, circles me, appraises me. “You will make a fine wife,” he mutters. I shut my eyes because it’s clear why he’s saying that; it’s not me he’s praising, it’s my body.

“Your brother claims you’re a virgin, is this true?”

“She is untouched my lord,” Manox says, standing up as if he senses the mood of the room is changing.

“Untouched?” he smirks.

“Has a man ever touched you, not to fuck, but to see, to play?”

My eyes widen and I turn red as I take a step back.

He laughs at my response. Apparently, it’s told him everything he wants to know.

“I like that you are fearful, Princess,” he murmurs. “And I’m going to enjoy making you mine.”

Before I can answer, before I can react, Manox calls time and I rush for the door, for my rooms, to get away from this man.