Page 9 of Prize for the King
Then in one fluid motion, he stands. The pliers drop to the floor with a metallic clang. My father brings his bound hands to his mouth and weeps, curled on the floor like a baby.
I take one more step toward him, but Khay holds me back. The Tyrant watches me, a cruel smirk playing in the corners of his mouth as he slowly comes down the steps of my father’s dais and stops in front of me.
“Princess Caliane,” he says with a small, mocking bow. “Are you well enough to attend your wedding?”
I shake my head. His expression doesn’t change.
“That’s too bad. I hoped your father might see it, but his time is running short. We’ll have to marry after his funeral, then.”
My eyes widen with terror, and I can’t help it anymore. This is too much. A tear runs down my cheek, but at least I manage to hold in the sobs.
The Tyrant cups my cheek and swipes the wetness away with his thumb, bending at the waist until his face is level with mine. “Don’t be sad, my queen,” he says with tenderness that sounds like mockery. “Tell me what you wish for and I’ll make it happen.”
“D-don’t kill my father,” I say in a voice thick from holding back sobs.
“Marry me and I’ll let him live.”
III Vows
The air whooshes out of me as I stare into those cruel, molten eyes. I shake, waiting, I don’t know for what. Someone to save me, maybe. But my only ally today is loyal to the Tyrant. There is no salvation, there’s only this choice—my future or my father’s life?
“Yes,” I whisper, and the Tyrant’s eyes crease with pleasure. “But I’ll hate you forever for making me choose.”
“As long as you remember the duties of a wife, I don’t care what you feel for me,” he says smoothly, straightening. “Where’s the priest? Good. Let’s start.”
I realize I’m still holding Khay’s hand, or rather, crushing it. When I follow the Tyrant, as if in a dream, Khay comes along, as if he’s my groom-to-be in place of his ruler. When we stop in front of Father Saius, whose bald head is shiny from sweat, Khay drops my hand but stays by my side.
“The royal rites,” the Tyrant says pleasantly. “I have them memorized, so I’ll know if you cheat.”
The Father’s eyes roll up in terror, the whites bright and prominent against the red, blotchy skin of his face. He is old and wrinkled, much too frail to be put through such an ordeal, but I can’t make myself feel any sympathy for him.
I can only pity myself today.Married. To the Agnidari Tyrant. In aroyal wedding!
“We are gathered here today to join in the divine union…” Saius begins in a trembling voice, his hands wrinkled and brown with liver spots, shaking as he clasps them together.
The Tyrant raises his hand, silencing the priest. In a brief moment between the waves of fear and self-pity, I feel an inkling of outrage. One does not silence a priest, ever. It’s just not done.
“Beasts, all of them.”
“Arvi, Raduna, come here. Make sure the priest doesn’t keel over,” the Tyrant says, flicking his black-clawed fingers at two Agnidari who stand nearby, one bald with dark blue tattoos on his head, the other sporting a mane of thin, red braids, his face scarred on one side. Both are clad in leather, long swords at their belts.
They give sharp nods, their fists briefly pressing to their chests, and flank the priest on both sides. He shakes even harder, his lips wobbling, and when one of the Agnidari grips his elbow, he squeaks in fear.
“There’s no reason to shake so, is there?” the Tyrant asks with mock concern. “Come on, old man. Marry us and you’ll walk out of here unharmed. Screw up, and you’ll be looking for your eyeballs on the floor.”
“That’s unnecessary,” I hiss, unable to contain myself.
IlikeFather Saius. He’s pompous but harmless, and he’s been here forever. I hate seeing him humiliated like this. He’s another piece of my home the Tyrant has destroyed today.
The Agnidari chuckles, an ugly distortion of a laugh. “Can’t wait to tell your husband what to do? After we’re married, pet.”
“I am not your pet.”
He ignores me, addressing the Father instead. “You finished on divine union. Keep going.”
Perked up by the threat, or maybe the promise of coming out ofhere alive, Saius continues in a less shaky manner.
“Divine union between Princess Caliane, Flower of the Crown, Diamond of the Castle, Prize of the Kingdom, and… I apologize, Your Grace. What is your full title?”
