Page 86 of The Truth About Myths
The housekeeper bowed and turned to leave.
"Can you bring me the newspaper?"
"Of course."
Henrique’s servants left. The room was again spotless as if her pique had not occurred. Sophie entered, carrying a tray. Isabel smiled. Thank God she was all right. Sophie set the burden on the table and rushed to her, and Isabel welcomed the fussing.
"Is he treating you well? Did you bring my clothes? My tiara?" Isabel would feel much more herself after she dressed properly.
"Yes, and yes—"
"Then I will change after breakfast," Isabel said, selecting an apple from the tray.
Sophie flushed, wringing her hands. "Citizen Henrique confiscated the valise. He told me you will be more comfortable in bedclothes, considering you won’t go anywhere."
A rush of blood rose on her face, and she saw red. She would strangle him and keep doing it, even if he laughed at her efforts.
The housekeeper's voice replayed in her head.He could never watch another creature suffering without suffering himself.
Reluctantly, Isabel released the fruit she was about to sink her teeth into. A tiny smile appeared at the corner of her lips. If she could not leave, then she would make keeping her here impossible.
Chapter 33
"It is difficult to argue with the belly, as it has no ears."Greek Proverb
Henriquepacedtheantechamberleading to the tower. The maid had entered at least fifteen minutes ago, and the silence inside Isabel's room grated on his ears. Twenty-eight hours, and she still had not eaten or drunk. What was she up to?
He glared at the coat of armor decorating the hall. "What are you looking at?" His ancestors must be shaking in their graves, watching his dealings with this recalcitrant harridan with supernatural glee. He could see them, dressed in medieval finery, pointing their fingers at him and laughing. It was a fair turnabout. As a good sport, he had to admit it. The reason they locked their women instead of keeping them well-pleasured had finally been answered. The shrews didn't want to be sated and glowing. They much preferred to shrivel a man's private parts. Henrique's gaze lowered to the armor's codpiece, and he flinched.
Isabel had accepted the prince out of jealousy. He knew what it meant. She wantedhim. Certainly not as much as he wanted her. Still, his hands tingled to open the door and show her. Heat arrowed through his chest and converged on his groin. Henrique snorted. What was he? An adolescent?
The maid left. All was silent inside his tower for a change.
He locked the door. "Has she eaten?"
The maid gave him a sullen look. She was new here, so she didn't dare to berate him for keeping the princess a prisoner, but the housekeeper teamed up with Sophie, and both had tried to upbraid him in the morning. Isabel had needed less than a full day to earn his staff to her side, and now he had to carry around the key to her room. Otherwise, Isabel would convince the servants to help her escape.
He couldn't let her out, and he couldn't allow her to starve. Unable to stay still and completely without a strategy, he opened the door and strode inside the tower.
Raising her retroussé nose to the ceiling, she crossed her arms over her chest, eyeing him as if he was the foe crossing her at a line of battle.
He shrugged and tried for a nonchalant tone. "Are you indisposed?"
Her lips tugged up, but the smile did not reach her eyes. "Since when does a jailor care for the prisoner's disposition?"
Henrique pressed his temples. "This is the third tray left untouched. What is your game, Isabel?"
"I demand my clothes, my tiara, and my freedom."
"Out of the question."
"Then eating is out of the question." Her voice dripped with challenge.
Henrique exhaled audibly. "Why must you be such an insufferable brat?"
She stiffened and gave him a cold shoulder. "Oh, I forgot you prefer your women to be more mature… Maturity only a husband can provide."
Hot white rage boiled in his gut. Henrique dropped the pretense. In three strides, he was by her side. He forced her to turn to him with both hands over her shoulders. It was like moving a stuck bolt.
