Page 30 of Of Skulls Of Shackles

“Youdareto rummage in my private rooms?” I made sure to keep my voice terrible.

Princess Change’s shock and scream were a great delight.

She whirled, clenching her gardening apron over her black wedding gown. “Q-Queen Perantiqua!”

I pumped menace into slow steps forward. “Explain. Yourself.”

“I was cleaning,” she said, scrambling to put the bed between us. “Princess Bring was out?—”

I blurred forward and gripped her throat. “Lies.Tell me what you seek.”

“My dried bouquet,” she screamed, and the way her legs kicked told me that I had lifted her bodily from the ground.

Goodness.

I lowered her and evaporated my rage and menace. “Ah, I see. You snoop and sneak to steal that which gave me power. Aspyin my midst, you seek to weaken me.”

She was unsure what to do with the sudden evaporation of my fury.

I glanced at her after strolling a short distance away. “And now we have a problem, Princess Change, for you have betrayed my hospitality. That of a queen. There will be consequences for this choice.”

“Consequences?” she squeaked.

“But of course. You must have guessed what must happen if you were caught.”

Her face firmed, pulling at scar and mange. “I cared not if punishment would be had. I cared to find what I sought.”

“I fathom,” I mocked.

My interest was piqued, though, because I could not sense any yearning in her for punishment. There was a more typical apprehension of punishment instead that was very unlike how my werebeasts would react if in her position.

“You will deal with my king on this matter,” she bravely said, drawing herself tall.

My lips torsioned. “You have said that this is something you sought. You betrayed the nature of the deal I made with your king, and so you relinquished his protection too. We will deal directly.”

She had very little say. If the princess could reach her king, then there might have been hope for her, but I was glad when Princess Change did not waste my time begging and pleading.

The princess tilted her chin. “What is the price?”

“An answer, in fullness and truth.”

Fear glimmered in her eyes.

I said, “You mentioned that your king is a risk-taker and a pioneer of purpose. You have said that where other kings take a nibble, he takes a bite. You informed me that no one might ever know the true layers and scope of his plans. Here is the price, Princess Change. You will tell me what makes him a risk-taker and pioneer of purpose and what bites he takes. You will tell me of the layers and scopes of his plans.”

She staggered to sit on the bed. “I cannot do such a thing.I cannot. I am married to my king’s ruin.”

Ah.Here might be a way forward. I would get my answers about her king’s rhyme and reason this dawn. My next obsession was here, and I had no time left. But I would prefer she offer the information herself.

Ice entered my voice. “This conversation is one of ruin, Princess Change. If you find yourself unable to speak, then your words must be of a saving nature and impossible within the confines of your union. I will assess the way forward if you become seized that way. Until that time, speak in fullness and truth to pay for your spying behavior.”

She still did not speak.

Another method then.

“Mother,” I drawled. “Please show our guest to wherever you put people who are spies and who do not believe there should be consequences to their actions.”

Mother yawned the princess halfway down into the floor.

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