Page 22 of A Dose of Agony
I cough. “I’m not royalty,” I say quickly. “It’s bizarre that people think of me that way.”
“It’s how our world works. You are Orizian royalty until proven otherwise. No one wants to make the mistake Mrs. Bhatt potentially made—and me, if I’m honest. If you do end up as the future queen of Oriziah, every supernatural wants to be able to say they treated you well all along. And with the way Jarron prioritizes you over everything else, no one has a choice but to follow suit. Like it or not, princess, you are a princess.”
I twist my lips. “For now.”
She lifts a brow. “You’re doubting your future with Jarron?”
I shake my head.
A good portion of my doubts disappeared that night in the cave when Jarron didn’t kill me in his mindless demon form, then proceeded to call the Cosmic Council fools. He destroyed that cave system, reaching me before I was harmed.
He chose me in that moment.
And though it’s not a definitive answer, it felt like it then.
But even so, t’s all so mindblowing. I’m still working to convince myself that this could bereal.
Much like those doubts that haunt me about my weakness as a human in a supernatural world, there are still doubts that maybe I misread the situation.
“I’d love to believe Jarron is my end game, but there is still a lot between now and happily ever after.”
Her eyes soften.
“And for now, I’m not used to it. The attention. The influence. The pandering. It feels both empowering and invalidating. Like I’m a child everyone must protect. I’d rather they all just get out of my way so I can prove myself.”
She studies me.
“Luxury accommodations, no classes, and literally anything you could possibly want at your fingertips? What’s not to enjoy?” She flicks a brow.
“NotanythingI want,” I mumble. The memory of leathery wings sliding against stone sends a thrill through me. I don’t even know what I’m feeling anymore. I blink and refocus. “Anyway, I’m off to some of the perks of being trapped here—sushi for lunch. See you around.”
“Yeah, see ya.”
I finally pass through the sunroom and find a light-brown-skinned brunette wearing a pantsuit leaning against the wall of the hall, watching me approach.
“So, Idohave a bodyguard on duty,” I say to Manuela.
“You thought we’d leave you as easy pickings?”
Apparently, my conversation with Auren boosted my confidence a bit. “Only idiots consider me easy pickings.”
She grins. “Love the confidence, princess, but it does tempt me to challenge that assurance. Could you stand up against me with those potions hooked on your thigh?”
My heart skips a beat. “Suppose you could find out.”
Her grin widens. “I’d enjoy every moment of it, win or lose. But I’m not in the market of pissing off demon princes.”
“You’ve never been afraid of him before.”
“Making an enemy of Jarron is not in my best interest. That doesn’t mean I am afraid. I simply stay on his good side for a reason.”
Hmm. Interesting comment. “I was just headed to grab some lunch in the speakeasy.”
She nods. “I’ll leave you to it, then. But yes, I’ll be around if you happen to need me.”
Manuela has never been much for socialization, so this isn’t at all surprising, but as I begin to move past her, I pause. “Actually, would you mind joining me? I had something I wanted to talk to you about, and now’s as good a time as any.”
“Propositioned by the princess. You do like to surprise your allies and enemies alike, don’t you, little human?”
