Page 95 of Bonds of Pain
I stride across the training field toward Maya, narrowing my eyes at the stylishly dressed woman sitting beside her.
“So, Your Highness, how do you feel about the upcoming games? Are you worried about Prince Logan’s safety?” the woman asks, leaning forward with a recorder barely concealed in her manicured hand.
“I—“ Maya begins.
“That’s enough,” I interrupt, placing myself between them. “This area is restricted to authorized personnel only.”
The woman’s red lips curl into a smile that doesn’t reach her eyes. “Ares! Just the man I was hoping to see. You’re looking particularly fierce today.”
“Belinda Farrow,” I address her, not bothering to hide my annoyance. “Still pretending to be a courtier to ambush people? I thought we had an understanding after that piece you wrote about Logan’s twenty-fifth birthday.”
Maya looks between us, confusion evident on her face. “You know each other?”
“Belinda writes for The Royal Observer,” I explain, crossing my arms. “Specializes in hit pieces and half-truths about the royal family. Last time we gave her an interview, she published a charming article titled ‘Prince Logan’s Drunken Debauchery Disgraces Dynasty.’ Clever alliteration aside, that piece was total dreck, Belinda.”
Belinda shrugs, completely unabashed. “My readers appreciate honesty about their future monarch.”
“Your readers appreciate scandal,” I counter. “And you’re trespassing.”
“I have press credentials,” she protests, holding up a laminated card.
“For the main pavilion, not the training grounds.” I glance at Maya, who watches our exchange with an unreadable expression. “Lady Maya isn’t giving interviews today.”
Belinda stands, smoothing her dress. “The public has a right to know about their future queen.”
“The public will know what we choose to tell them,” I say with practiced charm, softening my tone. “But I’ll make you a deal. Leave now without a fuss, and I’ll arrange a proper photo shoot after the games. Structured interview, approved questions only.”
“With Maya?” Belinda perks up.
“With Logan, his pack and his princess,” I confirm, emphasizing the last word. “Exclusive access, but only if you walk away right now.”
Belinda considers this, tapping her recorder against her palm. “Fine. But I want two hours minimum, and final approval on the photos.”
“You can have an hour and we approve the final copy before publication.”
“One hour, but I don’t provide the questions beforehand.”
I sigh. “One hour, one unscripted question that Logan can veto if inappropriate. Take it or leave it.”
“Deal.” Belinda extends her hand, which I shake briefly. She turns to Maya with a practiced smile. “Looking forward to our chat, Your Highness. I have a feeling you’ll make a fascinating subject.”
I give a nod to Poe, who is more than happy to grip Belinda by the arm and escort her off the training field. Maya watches them go, her gaze unreadable and mouth tight-lipped.
“Sorry about that. Belinda’s been a thorn in Logan’s side for years. She has an uncanny ability to find our weak spots and exploit them.” I drop my voice. “Never speak to reporters without one of us present. Especially not her.”
Maya raises an eyebrow. “You seem pretty practiced at handling her.”
“Someone has to keep Logan’s worst impulses out of the papers.” I glance back at the field where Logan continues training. “I’ve gotten good at damage control.”
“I can appreciate that about you.”
She stares at the training field, her expression subdued. Logan is on the opposite side of where her gaze is aimed, so I know she isn’t looking at him. As far as I can tell, she isn’t looking at anything at all. The usual fire in her eyes seems dimmed today.
“What’s wrong?” I ask, studying her profile.
Maya turns to me with surprise etched across her face. “What makes you think something is wrong?”
“I notice everything about you.” The words slip out before I can filter them. When her eyebrows raise, I clear my throat. “Your shoulders are tense. You’ve barely watched the training, which is unusual considering how eager you’ve been to learn combat techniques. And you haven’t made a single sarcastic comment about Logan’s form, which is practically your favorite pastime.”
