Page 40 of The Crimson Princess
“This is my decision.”
“I’momniscient,” I announce only to be swatted like a fly.
“Sensing magic doesn’t make you a judge of character.”
I open my mouth to declare myself an empath as well, but the words hang and roll on my tongue with uncertainty. I’m not fully convinced they’re created with truth or combative frustration. I do know things and to that point, I know what I speak next to be true. “The druids want what you have. The vampires simply want to survive and thrive in peace.”
“You are far too fond of our vampire visitor. That is quite clear.”
He may be right, but that doesn’t make me wrong, either. “If anything happens to you, I will need allies not enemies.”
“And yet,” he counters smartly, “you would make the druid prince your enemy?”
“What stops the druids from gaining ground here in Ravengale and then using the sorceress to claim full control? Think about it,King Killian.Because I believe that’s exactly what they will do. And the only way to claim the throne is to kill us both. Ibeg of you, as your daughter, and the future queen, to please think about what I have said here today.” With that, I whip around and start walking again.
He doesn’t stop me.
Once I’m upstairs in my room, I lock the door, and for a moment, I just lean on the hard surface. What does my father know that I do not, and how do I bridge that barrier?It certainly won’t be with that beast of a book that I cannot access, I think with utter frustration. My father is not the ruler of worlds, not as long as he kneels to that book.
Pushing off the door, I walk to the window, and shove it open, the moon a bright light illuminating the sky.
Toren, I whisper in my mind, still able to taste him on my tongue, feel him next to me.
Princess, he answers all too easily, as if he was waiting on the edge of my mind for me to reach for him.You’re back in the castle, out of trouble’s way?
If the castle is truly out of trouble’s way, then yes,I confirm.Did the guards suspect anything?
No trouble. Arrogance was, as you suspected, a divine intervention.
My lips curve in a smile.I’m certain you performed expertly in that department.
It’s nice to know you believe I performed expertly, princess.There’s a purr to his voice as suggestive as the way he often looks at me.
As much as I seem to like his flirting, now is not that time.Bellar was waiting on me in the forest.
He’s silent a beat and I can feel the tic of his anger.Did you let the frostburns eat him?
He blinked away, I say before I blurt, Can I trust you, Toren?
I’d tell you that words are not actions, Satima, and to never trust anyone who has not shown you their trust, but we’re a little different. You can feel the truth in me. You know I will not hurt you.
I’m not worried about me. Will you hurt my gales?
I’ve already answered that question. Not unless they attack my kingdom.
It’s a fair response and he’s right.It’s been asked and answered, but I needed to hear it again.How imminent is the threat from your brother?
As imminent as him getting his hands on the sorceress.
In other words, now, if that’s already happened.Do you think the druids will join him?
Yes.
It’s not the answer I’d hoped for, but it’s the one I expected.Do you think they already have?
I don’t know, Satima.
And if Ravengale joins the druids as well as your brother, they’ll come for you.
