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“I’m not getting myself into anything,” I sneered, unable to hide the anger from my voice. “I have no choice in this. I can’t say no to this, unlike you. If you accept me, Ihaveto marry you.”
His lips went into a straight line. Realizing this conversation wasn’t going to change anything, I clarified, “So basically, if people compel me, I have to do whatever awful thing they want me to do, except kill myself? Is that what you are telling me?”
“Not if, butwhenpeople compel you. And yes, that’s exactly what I’m telling you. There is a button on the back of the pendant. If you are in danger, press it, and I’ll find you right away.”
“I thought you told me not to trust anyone, but you want me to trust you?” I pried, not bothering to mask my disgust.
He gave me a dark look before answering, “No. You can’t trust me. But at least trust me enough with this. I have no intention of harming you. I had a tracker placed in the necklace. If you press it, I will come for you. It’s technology developed by Lux that will give me the location of where you are. Help me find out what the High Council is planning, Scotlind, and I will protect you. After that, I won’t bother you, except for when martial duties are called upon.”
I cringed atmarital dutiesand what that would entail. He still didn’t know I was from Lux. He had no idea that I could never act upon those duties and have a child with him. Thankfully, Lakimi wouldn’t happen for another four hundred and eighty-some years, so the chances of us conceiving were slim.
“Lucky me,” I sarcastically hissed. “Just what I always wanted. To live in a castle where everyone wants me dead and marry an asshole prick of a Prince who wants nothing to do with me except to warm his bed.” The words flew out of my mouth before I even had the chance to regret them, but I guess it didn’t matter what he thought of me. To him, this was a transaction. There would be no relationship.
“I don’tneedyou to warm my bed. Although, I certainly wouldn’t protest,” he said as he stood. He looked me up and down before sauntering out of the compartment.
I chucked the necklace against the closed door. Then, thinking better of it, I stalked over to it and angrily picked it up. Any happiness I felt about being protected against compulsion had vanished. It was replaced with pure rage, fear, and dread about the notion of having to pretend to be compelled. I was sick of being forced to do things against my will, things I didn’t want to do.
Maybe being the Princess, Advenians wouldn’t pick on me. Perhaps everyone would just leave me alone for fear of the wrath of my now horrendous and very intimidating betrothed. And if I pushed my luck, maybe it could help me find the answers as to why I was brought here all those years ago. And if I did find anything out, he would be the last person I told.
I clasped the golden chain, fastening it around my neck.
SIXTEEN
SCOTLIND
When we finally arrived atthe castle, I was at a loss for words. The detailed map in my folder portrayed the grounds to be massive, but it was something else entirely to see it in person. Large stone gates groaned against the gravel as they slithered open, revealing an ancient, beautiful, daunting castle.
I raised my hand, shielding my eyes as I squinted past the bright sun peeking through the force shield. Tilting my head back to get a better view, I tried to make out the castle’s full mass, but it stretched beyond what I could see.
Well-kept gardens surrounded the perimeter. Red roses bloomed throughout the trimmed bushes and I knew it was from the work of a Luxian ground user. A few snow-capped mountains flashed in the distance behind the castle. Other than that, the landscape was flat. Trees of varying sizes were scattered throughout. To my back laid a thick forest, one that I could tell I wouldn’t be allowed to explore.
I looked up at the sandstone walls and looming pillars. It was a different kind of enclosure from the mountains surrounding LakeWood. It would now be my new home—at least until the next King’s Tournament, or whenever I was discovered.
Fortunately, I hadn’t seen Sie since our conversation on the monorail. It was a good thing because I still wasn’t sure if I wanted to hit him or kiss him. What he’d said on the monorail had unnerved me—how he wanted to use me. I was just a pawn in whatever larger game he was playing.
I was still gazing up at the castle when Peter strode toward me. I turned to look at him when he stood a foot away. His blonde hair was messy atop his head like he’d just rolled out of bed. He wore a loose gray button-up lined with silver stitching that probably cost a fortune, but he somehow made it seem casual.
His hands were hidden in the pockets of his black pants. His usual playful demeanor had changed to a mask of calmness. The seriousness of his features seemed unsettling, as if being here took away his youthfulness. “Morning, Princess.”
“That. Is. Not. My. Name.” I seethed.
“Okay, then. Scotlind.” He smiled lightly.
“It’s Scottie.”
“Good morning,Scottie,” he taunted. “Come with me. Sie has meetings all day with the High Council and the King. He will be busy until your engagement banquet tonight. I’ll give you a quick tour of the grounds before you need to get ready.”
“Engagement banquet?” I repeated as Peter guided me up the vast stone stairs leading into the castle.
He laughed. “Did you not read through your packet?”
“Some of it,” I admitted. Though I’d purposely avoided anything labeledPrincess Duties.
“Well, you might want to read it. They are throwing both of you into a full schedule starting tomorrow, but yes, you have a banquet tonight.”
“A banquet?” I pressed, hoping he would fill me in so I didn’t have to open the folder again.
“It’s a tradition to have a banquet honoring the new Prince and Princess. It serves as a way to welcome you and Sie into the Kingdom. After the banquet, there will be a brief ceremony where the priest will officially declare you both the Prince and Princess of Tennebris. You will meet King Lunder and everyone serving on the High Council. A reception, open to the public, will follow the ceremony with drinks and dancing. They should also be assigning your guards tonight.”
