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“You are Elizabeth Dowry, are you not?” he asks.
“Yes,” I say with exasperation.
“That means you are Princess Dowry, one of the most highly sought after brides in all of the Shrouded Kingdoms. The year you were born, Prince Titus Burkewood was promised your hand in marriage after you turned eighteen. By your parents. I’m collecting you on behalf of the Burkewoods to honor that promise.”
I watch him for a few seconds before I burst out laughing. “Okay, you earn some bonus seconds for that. At least the BS story you’re feeding me is entertaining. But you really went too far when you said I was highly sought after. I don’t know if you know this, no one has ever sought after me, except maybe to clean a clogged toilet. So this whole prince thing? That’s pretty funny.”
“Pardon me for saying so, but you’re wrong, Princess.”
“As fun as it is to hear you call me that, please, knock it off.”
“As you wish, Prin--” Calian suddenly looks like he swallowed a fly and apparently can’t think of anything else suitable to call me, so he just falls silent.
“Seriously though, how do you expect me to believe these imaginary people in this imaginary land would want to marry me when they’ve never met me?”
“Because when your parents died, they left one of the most substantial estates in all the Shrouded Kingdoms to you--once you turned eighteen.”
“I think you’ve got the wrong parents. My parents’ house is a pigsty. They’re also very much alive. You can poke your head in the restaurant if you want to see.”
Calian narrows his eyes like I’ve just said the dumbest thing he has heard all night. “Not your foster parents. Your real parents. Emery and Verian Dowry.”
“I don’t have foster parents,” I say with confidence, even though it feels like the limo is closing in around me. “You know, I think I’ve had enough crazy for one night. I’m done.” I reach for the door and yank on the handle but nothing happens again. I try again a little more forcefully. “Let me out.” My voice is calm, but my heart is pounding now. My parents wouldn’t let me get in a limo with someone who was going to hurt me, would they?
Foster parents, chides a small voice in my head. The idea sends an icy spear of uncertainty through me. “Let. Me. Out,” I say again, voice quivering now.
“I’m afraid I don’t have the power to do that, Princess. You were promised to Prince Titus long ago, and I have strict orders to see that you arrive at Burkewood castle. Intact, and before morning.”
I cross my arms, glaring for all I’m worth, but feeling totally helpless. “Why are you doing this?” I ask. “What is the point? I don’t buy your ridiculous story, and if there are cameras in here somewhere, they are recording what is going to be a very boring video. Just let me go and we can both try to salvage our nights.”
“I realize this must all be very much for you to take in at once. Perhaps it would be simplest if I just let you see for yourself when we arrive.”
I watch the man and his strange clothes closely while I try to swallow down the guilt I feel rising up. Why should I feel guilty for how I’m treating this man? He’s obviously trying to make an idiot out of me. But I can’t reason away the feeling in my chest, so I let out a long breath and lean forward in my seat a little. “I’m sorry. Someone probably put you up to this, and they are the ones I should be giving attitude to. Don’t get me wrong, this is completely messed up and not a funny prank at all, but why don’t we just agree to keep quiet until I have a chance to talk to whoever is really behind this,” I say.
Calian’s well-maintained eyebrows shoot up in surprise. “If I may… I don’t find your behavior distressing in the least. In fact, I hope you’ll pardon my boldness in saying I find it quite refreshing.”
“If I may,” I say with a slight smirk, “I think I’m beginning to like you, Calian.”
He flashes a set of neatly arranged, white teeth. “You may want to watch out the window. I find this part of the drive is often enjoyable for first time visitors to the Shrouded Kingdom.”
“I’ve been here before,” I say. “But the tunnel is really cool,” I say, hoping to smooth over the growing impression he probably has that I’m a bitch. If I don’t have a choice in this whole prank thing, I might as well try to enjoy the limo ride and the company, I guess. I’ve gotten pretty good at making the best of crappy situations, and this one isn’t even much of a challenge now that I’m relaxing a little.
