Page 10 of The Stolen Throne

“No. But I’m sure you have.”

“Eira!” Asher reprimands loudly from behind me, but I pay him no mind. I focus only on the devilish prince in front of me. I can see the rage building behind his gaze, but for some reason it doesn’t scare me. Not like his father’s gaze did.

“Oh, I have, Little Raven. But I guarantee they deserved it.”

I snort. “I doubt that.”

His eyes narrow as he says, “You seem to be under the impression that you are the only one my father has hurt on his path to devour the kingdoms. You are a naive child if you think this world is anything but consumed in gray. Are you so enamored by your sense of justice that you believe this world is black and white?”

I stiffen at his words, my gaze narrowing on him. “Right and wrong do exist. That is all. And what could your father possibly do to you? You are his son.”

He lets out a humorless laugh as he stands abruptly, causing me to jump. “You think that just because his blood runs through my veins, I was spared his cruelty?” He rips open his shirt, and underneath I see hundreds of scars. Each knife cut leaving a bright pink scar against his creamy skin. There’s also a visible handprint scar on his chest. It looks blistered against his skin. “I have felt the cool kiss of his knife as well as the burn of his magic.”

He buttons his shirt back up as he looks away. “Do not assume you or the people of these kingdoms are the only ones my father has mutilated. His cruel hands forged me into the man I am. I rule with an obsidian heart because there is no other version of me.”

His eyes meet Asher’s as he says, “Take her to see the kingdom. Maybe she will understand how the new world works when she sees the amount of damage my father has done.”

I look over my shoulder to see Asher’s eyes turn sad. “Yes, Your Highness.”

My eyes jump back to the prince when he says, “She needs to learn that one must change to fit the world. The world will not change for anyone, let alone a naive princess. Adapt or be killed.” His eyes flash black before returning to their ice blue. “I’ve had to adapt because there was no other choice.”

“Why are all the mirrors around the castle broken and covered?” I ask, unable to stop the words from tumbling out.

He arches a brow, and a smirk tilts his lips. “Mirrors give my father power. I do not wish for him to have power within my castle.”

“What’s the point of covering them if they are already broken?”

His smirk disappears, and he says darkly, “Even broken things have power, Eira.”

I open my mouth to ask more questions, but Asher grips my shoulder. “Eira, please. You have said enough.”

Arching a brow at his use of the word please, I give him a sharp nod before turning back to the prince. “I shall take my leave, Your Highness.”

He looks to Asher and orders, “Take a few others with you. There has been activity around the walls.”

“Is it wise to take her outside, then?”

He shrugs before turning to face the windows, which allows him a view of the kingdom as well as the large wall surrounding it. “She needs to understand the world we live in now. This is no longer the world she grew up in as a child.” He turns to look at me over his shoulder. “It seems her mother kept her in the dark about many things. And my father kept her locked up for too long. If the raven wishes to use her wings and fly, I’ll allow it.”

He turns back to the windows, heaving out a heavy sigh. “I’m sure she will learn that the outside world will not give her the freedom she seeks. We live in a cage of death and destruction. At least my cage provides comfort and protection.” Running a hand through his dark, tufted hair he continues, “Take Kasim and Benedict. They should provide enough protection for you to leave and come back quickly.”

Asher steps up beside me as he whines, “Dax, come on. Why do I have to take Kasim?”

Dax smirks at the man beside me. “Because he is the only one I trust to keep the three of you in line and not do something stupid.”

Asher’s cheeks pinken as he huffs out, “I won’t do anything stupid with Eira with me.”

“Yes… well, he will be there just to make sure.”

Asher groans. “Fine.” Turning to me, he gives me a smile and offers me his elbow. “Shall we go?”

I’m not sure what’s going on here, but the banter between these two has completely thrown me. Why does the prince allow his subordinates to speak to him that way? It isn’t normal to speak to those in lower positions like that.

Narrowing my eyes on Asher, I take his offered elbow anyways. Just because I don't like being here doesn’t mean I should be rude. My parents raised me with manners. Right before we exit the room, I hear Dax call out, “Please do not stray too far outside the walls, Ash. I do not want a repeat of what happened last time.”

Asher sucks in a breath beside me and looks a bit guilty as he nods. “Understood.”

7

---