I want to kick mud on his golden boot buckles.
“Thank you for everything,” she whispers. Then, after squeezing my arm, she spins away to face the prince.
“Let’s get you home, my dear,” Orion says, taking her hand and guiding her towards his carriage. Ruby passes me one last hesitant smile before disappearing inside.
Orion doesn’t waste any time locking the door behind her. Any politeness on his face vanishes the moment the door slams shut.
Scowling, he strides towards me.
I roll my shoulders. It’s difficult, but somehow I bite down the grin threatening to take over my face. If he punches me, I’ll of course have no choice but to retaliate, and I’dloveto see how that flimsy ceremonial sword at his hip holds up against a dozen daggers.
“You,” he seethes, stopping inches from me.
“Yes, Your Highness?” I match his tone. He doesn’t scare me – I’m taller, just about.
Orion narrows his eyes. “I don’t know what’s going on here, who you are really or what you are toher,” he starts. “But for the sake of my future bride – and only hers – I won’t report what I saw here today to her father.”
“Your discretion is much appreciated.” I shrug. “The princess is fond of my company, after all, and I’d hate for her to be left… unsatisfied.”
The prince stiffens, his hand dropping to his sword. But to my immense frustration, he doesn’t draw it. “Don’t test me,” he spits.
“Or what?”
Orion’s scowl deepens. “I’m not a fool. I’m not naive enough to believe the stories I’ve heard about Sol’s precious virgin daughters. I’m certain Amaryllis has had lovers before and I highly doubt you’re the first commoner she’s spent the night with.”
“You take that back?—”
“But make no mistake,guard,” he cuts me off. “Princess Amaryllis will be mine, and only mine, even if I have to buy her every dance gown under the sun and build her a dozen palaces to match…”
A blade flicks free of my wrist.
“...Because there’s more going on here, more than someone like you could ever understand.”
I pause, jaw tensing.
“And if the princess doesn’t marry me, there’s no telling which monster her father will finally force her hand to. He’s running out of patience. I’m the last good option she has, and I intend to have her choose me.”
My breath stills. A few heartbeats pass until once again, my blade returns to its sheath.
I don’t like Orion. And I don’t like the way Ruby smiles at him, even more. But if even a word of what he’s saying here is true, I can’t kill him. Not if he’s Ruby’s last chance at happiness.
Princesses are meant to marry princes, after all.
I can’t take this one away from her.
“I knew you’d see reason.” Orion scowls, backing away. “It seems like we both want the same thing. Just don’t let me catch you alone with my bride again and we won’t have any more problems.”
I snort. As if he could stop me.
Orion ignores my laugh as he strides towards the carriage and takes his place beside the driver.
Just as I’m reaching for Destiny’s reins, I hear, “Oh, and Sir Henry?”
“Yes, Your Highness?” I grunt without looking back.
“From now on, see to it that my bride stays inside the palace. No more early-morning walks.”
I turn just in time to see Prince Orion flashing a row of teeth as the carriage rolls down the road.
