These three have probably never spent a night in the woods.
I shake my head. “Sorry, I’m still going.”
“You’ll stay, and the servants will get your supplies,” Prince Lucien responds, like his word is final.
My gaze slides between them. “To be honest, half the reason I’m going into the woods is to avoid you miserable cunts.”
They look shocked. So shocked that I laugh. I get the impression that these three spend their days being lifted onto the backs of their people, being exalted as men in equal standing with the gods. They’re probably not used to being called names. Not that Ishouldbe calling them names so publicly.
“You go with us or not at all,” Prince Gareth tells me simply, then folds his huge arms in front of his chest.
I could just turn around and go back to my room. I could agree that that would be far better than getting stuck with these three for any length of time, but I have a better idea. I’m going to let them go out with me, and I’m going to lose them.
“Fine,” I say with a sickly sweet smile.
Their eyes narrow, and Prince Lucien says, “What are you planning now?”
“You sound a little afraid,” I tell them innocently, then whirl around and start heading out of the courtyard.
I hear them slowly following behind me. In the city, the streets are busy, loud and crowded, two things I’m still getting used to, but I take the road that leads along the wall on the outside of the academy, heading straight for the woods. It’s a road I’ve seen clearly many times while on Ebron’s back. Every time I pass a man, he stares, or does a double take. I’m prettysure they’re wondering if I’m the female dragon rider everyone is talking about, but no one approaches me.
Until one man flashes a smile and stops. “Hi,” he greets me.
I smile politely back. “Hi.”
He leans in as he speaks to me. “And what might your name be?”
The princes are suddenly there, and Prince Gareth steps between the two of us, forcing the man to step back. He towers over the stranger, the muscles in his neck and arms straining. From what, I have no idea.
“Her name is none of your fucking business, that’s what it is.”
Whether this man recognizes Gareth as one of the princes or just realizes he’s suddenly been surrounded by three imposing men, the effect is the same. His face drains of color, his shoulders fold inward, and he makes himself as small as possible, before slipping between them and fleeing down the street.
“You could be nicer,” I tell them.
Prince Lucien huffs. “You were nice enough for all of us.”
I shake my head and keep walking. “He was just trying to be friendly.”
“He was trying to get in your pants,” Prince Lucien says, in a really annoying, superior voice.
I frown. “Hardly.”
“You’re kind of dense, aren’t you?” Prince Alaric asks. I look back at him sharply, and he winces. “I mean, come on, that guy wasn’t greeting us and making eyes at us. He saw a beautiful woman, and he tried to make a move.”
“Ooooh,” I squeal, my voice high and syrupy. “Did you really just say that? You think I’mbeautiful.” The words come out sugar-sweet, but my eyes are flat.
His cheeks heat, and he’s kind of cute when he blushes. “I didn’t say that, but, well, of course you are. Anyone with eyes would tell you that.”
I glance at the others, fluttering my lashes in mock innocence. “And do all of you find me just as irresistible?”
“No one called you irresistible,” Prince Lucien tells me, but he sounds amused, as if he thinks I’m fishing for compliments, not skewering them.
Continuing to walk backwards while looking at them, I say, “Oh my, what a lucky lady I am. Three princes can’t control themselves around me. They want mesobad it hurts. However will they keep their pants on around me?” Then I trip on something behind me and fall back on my ass. Hard. “Oof.”
The three of them burst out laughing in a way I’ve never seen before, raw and unrestrained, their heads thrown back, looking like complete maniacs.
Prince Lucien actually has to lean on Prince Alaric to stay upright. “D-did you see her? Yeah, we really want that!”
