Page 45 of Song of the Shadow Prince
“Apologies unnecessary, Your Majesty,” Lord Zacharia graciously offered. “We’re very grateful for the invitation today.”
“Of course you are,” Prince Julian scoffed. “When else would we allowhumansto dine with us?” He rolled his eyes, no attempt to hide his disdain.
I hadn’t been following the conversation much, but I froze, just like everyone else did at that comment. My hand was mid-air as I was trying to flag down a servant, but I dropped it and turned my attention to the arrogant second prince. He was another carbon copy of his father with the same dark hair, but his blue eyes were a bit darker, almost indigo. Where PrinceThorne was tall and regal, Julian appeared to suffer from small dick energy.
“What did you say?” I said loud enough for everyone to hear. I stuck my pointer finger in my ear and made a show of wiggling it as if trying to hear better. “I don’t think I heard you clearly.” I leaned forward and looked him dead in the eyes. “Why don’t you repeat what you said?”
Julian looked at me and narrowed his gaze. “I said, when else—”
“Let me stop you right there,” I cut him off, extending a hand to stop him. Gasps rang out around the hall.
“Arya!” Gianna gritted beside me, but I ignored her.
I sucked my teeth and looked up at the high ceiling. “Man, I didn’t knowthiswas the sort of hospitality offered by the royal family.” I dramatically sighed and glanced at the emperor, who seemed to be at a loss for words. “We might be mere humans, but thesemere humansprovide a lot for your daily enjoyment. Things that allow you to live comfortably up in these mountains.” I tsked. “It would be such a shame if the people of Elaria realized this was how the royal family felt about them.”
“Arya!” Lord Zacharia reprimanded, his face livid. “That’s enough! You arenotto speak out of turn!”
I looked over at my fake father and offered a sweet smile. “Oh, of course, Father.” I turned my attention to Emperor Valenor and offered a slight bow from where I sat. “Apologies.” Then I looked back at the second prince and smirked.
“Fascinating,” the emperor stated blandly. “Absolutely fascinating. Zacharia, your youngest has quite a way with words. If I wasn’t in such a good mood, I’d have her tongue.”
His comment sobered me up quite a bit and I schooled my features, unwilling to show the emperor how his words affected me. Julian, the second prince glared at me like he wished he could kill me on the spot. I winked at him.
My fake father sputtered, “Apologies, Your Majesty! Arya had a terrible accident a little over a week ago and hasn’t been…wellsince.” Lord Zacharia tapped the side of his head. “She seems to say everything that’s on her mind, even if it’s offensive. We haven’t been able to control her and we’re—”
“Is that so?” the emperor interrupted. He tilted his head and stared at me with the same kind of morbid curiosity one would expect from a boy who roasted ants with a magnifying glass. He rubbed his perfectly coiffed beard and motioned toward the creepy robed guy beside him. “Malachar, tell me, have you ever heard of this condition before?”
“No, Your Majesty,” Malachar responded. His voice was colder than hoarfrost. It sent a shiver through me. “I’ve never heard of such a malady.”
Emperor Valenor waved me off as if swatting a pesky fly. “Enough of that. I want to know more about your eldest, Gianna, and her relationship with the third prince.”
My gaze darted to Royal Prince Bai, who met my gaze with an answering nod. It felt as if we could read each other’s minds.
This meetingwasabout Damien… but not in the way we thought.
“Brother,” Royal Prince Bai interrupted, “you may not be aware, but Prince Damien and Lady Gianna are no longer in communication.”
I saw Gianna lower her head in shame. She wrung her fingers on her lap and sniffled as if trying to hold back tears.
“Is that so?” The emperor glanced around the hall for confirmation. “And why was I not made aware of these developments?” He sent a pointed look at the second prince, Julian.
“Father,” Thorne cleared his throat, “Ididadvise you not to listen to rumors. Julian often tends to associate with those… beneath his station.”
Julian scoffed. “As ifyoudon’t.”
Thorne whipped his gaze at his younger brother and glared. “I don’t,” he said confidently, and I believed him.
“Enough. I don’t need you reprimanding me.” Emperor Valenor waved away Thorne’s comment. “Lady Gianna, apologies. I believed you were involved with my third son and was… worried for your safety. He is not good company, as you might imagine. Hence his exile to Obsidian Reach. I wouldn’t want the Ryder family implicated in anythingunsavorysimply because of him. Don’t you agree, Lord Zacharia?”
Lord Zacharia appeared startled by the sudden turn of events. “Huh? Oh, yes, of course.” He pulled a silk handkerchief from his doublet and dabbed the beads of sweat that had collected at his brow.
I rolled my eyes, unable to stop my muttered curse. “Pussy.” Reaching toward a gold bowl filled with assorted nuts, I dropped them into my mouth and munched loudly, not giving a rat’s ass about propriety. They already thought I was missing some marbles; I might as well run with it.
“What was that, Lady Arya?” Julian speared me with a knowing look.
Still chewing, I offered a bored look. “I saidpussy. Do you know what that means?” Of course, I knew damn well he didn’t. Some words just didn’t translate here.
Julian frowned, along with everyone else in the room except creepy Malachar, who stumbled forward and barely caught himself before he fell. I laughed and looked back at Julian.
