Page 11 of Princess

She went to her toes and kissed me.“I’m sorry for that.I had another dream last night and no one came to save me from hellhounds.It shook me up and I needed to get it out of my head.”

“I will always come to save you.”

She kissed me again.

“Hungry?”I asked.

“Starving.”

Chapter Five

Marinah

Togg was back on duty at Lesley’s door the next morning.

“How’s our gilded prisoner?”I asked as I approached.

He gave a rare smile.“Surprisingly quiet.”

I raised a brow.“Not sure if that’s good or bad, but I’m going in.”

“Good luck.”

I liked Togg, even if he could be an idiot at times.After his last bout of trouble, I had asked King about his childhood.King had just shrugged and said, “He never talks about it.”

That alone told me plenty.

Unlike most of the Shadow Warriors, Togg didn’t have farming skills or a formal education.But he was a quick learner, deadly with a sword, and most importantly, trustworthy.Keeping him busy was the best way to keep him out of trouble.I intended to take him off guard duty and end his punishment.I had something else lined up that would occupy his time.

He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside.

Lesley lay on the bed, watching me with silent, unreadable eyes.

“I’d like to show you your work assignment if you want to start today.The choice is yours.”I kept my tone light because I knew I’d won.

She didn’t answer right away.Instead, she stared at me for a long moment before speaking in the softest voice I had ever heard from her.“Why do you hate me so much?”

I considered ignoring the question.But the truth was easier.

“I was the one who captured you,” I said evenly.“I’ll never forget the contempt in your voice and hatred in your eyes.You’re a good actress, maybe good enough to fool someone into believing you’re just a poor, misused president’s wife.I won’t fall for it, and your act won’t get you out of confinement.You are a danger to my people.Hatred like yours doesn’t just float away.It festers.”I let the words hang between us for a beat before continuing.“Now, back to my original question.”

Lesley exhaled sharply, then swung her legs over the side of the bed.She faced me with a look of pure defiance.

“You’re wrong about everything,” she said stubbornly.“Especially me.And I’ll prove it.”She lifted her chin.“I need to eat, so I’ll start this wretched work assignment you’ve decided can only be done by me.”

Her speech had been almost convincing.Almost.But I saw through it.She still believed she was too good for work, a delusion that likely came from being the wife of President Barnes.

I remembered the way she had offered me the name of her manicurist before I kidnapped her, like that was the kind of information I needed.I had no doubt the manicurist had taken the job to avoid wearing a red stripe.

Mrs.Barnacle wasn’t just a liar.She was privileged.She thought herself above everyone else.

“Will I be able to eat before beginning this job?”she asked, her tone clipped but edged with practiced innocence.

“Food will be delivered once you start working.I’ll order it as soon as I go over the assignment.Follow me.”

I stepped into the hallway and motioned for Togg to follow.

“Could you possibly slow down?”Lesley huffed, already breathless.

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