Page 14 of Princess of Death

His eyes shifted back and forth, searching for the fear I should have.

But I was a Rothschild with dragon blood in my veins, and I was too damn proud for that.

He jerked his entire body to make me believe he was about to hit me.

I didn’t even blink.

A grotesque smile moved over his lips, and he stepped back. “The finest captain I’ve ever laid eyes on.” Then he dragged those eyes down my body, over my tits and hips, before his eyes flicked back to mine once more. “A woman who’s soft to the touch, but a soldier who can battle a man thrice her size. I’m not a man easily impressed—but I’m impressed, nonetheless.”

“So glad I have your approval,” I said sarcastically. “I can die happy now.”

That should piss him off, but he grinned from ear to ear. “I like this one.”

My father had told me power and corruption went hand in hand. I had no doubt what this man would do to me as his prisoner.

I’d rather die.

“We’re merchants taking our products to port,” I said confidently. “This interference is wholly unnecessary.”

“Then why did you run?” He cocked his head, eyes locked on mine.

“Because you look prepared for war.”

He smiled slightly, like that answer stoked his fat ego. “I have a better job for you, sweetheart.”

“No thank you, asshole.”

He gave a quiet whistle. “You burn without wood.”

“Wait until you see how hot I burn…”

Instead of threatening me with his axe, he returned it across his back, practically an invitation for me to attack him. “I can’t wait to see.” He nodded to his men. “Kill the crew. Lock her in a cell.”

I quickly put my sword to his neck and pressed it into the skin. “You keep us all or kill us all.”

He looked completely at ease, like his neck was thicker than armor. “The captain goes down with the ship, not the crew.”

“I go down with both.”

He stepped into me, moved right into the blade so our faces were close together. “I can’t wait to have fun with you.”

I slammed my knee into his groin and sliced my blade across his neck.

He grabbed my wrist and forced it down on his knee so hard it nearly broke. My blade went flying, and then he slammed his elbow down on my head, making me buckle to the deck and lose consciousness for a second. “Kill the crew. The captain is mine.”

I lay there unable to move, my body unresponsive for seconds. I heard the enemy converge and grab my men. I heard the shouts and screams as they were put to the sword or thrown overboard. “No…”

I opened my eyes and tried to get up.

And there he stood on the other side of the deck, in his midnight-blue armor, looking like one of the enemies who had captured me. He stared with eyes that were both angry and sympathetic.

And then he vanished.

I collapsed back on the deck, and the last thing I saw was the shadow of the behemoth who moved over me. The last thing I remembered was being lifted off the deck before I slipped away.

Dad, help me…

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