Page 69 of The Demon Prince

“If those men were bothering you because they thought you were with me, then perhaps I will give them a reason to leave you alone. I’d like to come with you into town next time.”

“That doesn’t seem like a good idea.”

“Oh, it’s a fantastic idea.” He wouldn’t let her go alone. He needed to get her safely back in the castle so he could work this plan out a little better. “I prefer to know who my enemies are, and where they are. Rather than let them scatter my people like rats fleeing a sinking ship.”

“Gluttony,” she scolded.

“What?” He looked down at her with mock surprise on his features. “You don’t agree?”

“I don’t think you should risk it.”

“Ah, but I cannot be killed.” Wrapping an arm around her shoulders, he gave her a little squeeze. “And I have my best friend by my side. What could possibly go wrong?”

ChapterTwenty-Five

She didn’t want to be friends.

Katherine realized that only a few days after their conversation. She didn’t want to be friends with this strange and wonderful man who now drank from her neck when he wished. Just the touch of his lips against her skin made her entire body turn into a bonfire.

And he didn’t know.

How could he? Gluttony was so certain everyone thought of him as a monster that he’d never noticed her shivers weren’t shudders of revulsion, but something else entirely.

He thought she wanted to get away from him. He’d even mentioned it a few times that if he could let her go, he would. But she didn’t want that. She wanted to stay in the castle with him. Wanted to keep working in his lab and hear his little pleased chuffs as if he were proud of himself for little details that moved him ever closer to discovery.

She was... Oh, she was so lost in all of this and Katherine had needed space. She’d asked for time away from the castle, just to get her head on straight. Because she was starting to really like him, and he only wanted to push her away.

He was reluctant to let her leave, as Gluttony always was. The few times she’d come home late, he’d been in such a strange mood that she wondered if he didn’t know how to deal with worry.

After hours of arguments that had devolved into her threatening her own life if he came with her, he finally agreed. Though he’d given her a knife this time to put in her stocking. Just in case.

Katherine didn’t think she would ever use it, even if those men attacked her. She wasn’t cut out for violence, in any way, shape, or form.

Still, she kept her wits about her as she clomped down the boardwalk toward the town. At least now she didn’t have to hide her limp so much. She’d forgotten what it was like to walk without making sure her gait was even. Now, she tried to find that rhythm again as she approached her hometown.

“Good morning!” A young man called out. His dark hair flopped over his forehead and his bright grin revealed rows of crooked teeth.

She didn’t know this young man either. And she hated how it made her so nervous to even respond to him. But Katherine could still feel the dagger in her stocking, so she nodded back. “Good morning. I’m afraid I don’t recognize you, friend.”

“Ah, there’s a fair few of us new to town.” He winked. “I haven’t seen you around these parts either.”

Katherine made sure her hair covered the slight scarring on her face and knew that now, more than ever, she had to hide her limp. The men on the boardwalk before might have spoken of her. They certainly had known who she was, and there was only one rare factor about her visage. “I’m so sorry, I can’t stay to introduce myself.”

“Why’s that?”

“Work!” she cheerily replied as she walked past him, hoping she looked like a normal person.

Who were all these people? Ducking her head low, she made her way to the almshouse in a rush. So many strangers in this town didn’t sit right.

This town didn’t get new folks. The people here had survived on their own for years, and if people were new to the kingdom, they stayed near the light bridge that connected them to freedom. It took years for a person to give up their hopes that they might escape.

So why were they here? There was nothing in this town for them to steal or take. She had few belongings that she called her own, and Katherine knew there were many people who were in the same situation as her. Anyone who came here looking for treasure, or even work, would be sorely disappointed.

The boards to the almshouse were loose. She stumbled and caught herself on the railing, but stared down into the water not to see dangerous features staring back at her, but concerned expressions on the souls of the lost. Almost as though they knew something she didn’t.

Gulping, Katherine quickly made her way to the almshouse after that. Stumbling through the door, she closed it firmly behind her and caught her breath.

Palms pressed to the cool wood, she forced her heart to slow down. This was the safest place in town. No one attacked the sick or the dying.

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