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Chapter 37
Bree
Taveon returned only halfan hour or so later, barely giving Bree enough time to change out of her tunic and into her fighting leathers. While he’d been gone, she’d been mulling over his demands. She really did not want to go with him on this little trip of his. Spending time with the Prince was the last thing in the realm she wanted todo.
“Why exactly is this little trip necessary? Wouldn’t I be better off staying here to train orsomething?”
Taveon gave her a sharp nod, his eyes scanning her from head to toe. “We need to make a visit to House Marlin in the eastern regions, but I do not feel it is safe to leave you herealone.”
“Rafferty will be with me,” Bree said. “And LordDagen.”
Bree felt kind of weird bringing Lord Dagen into the equation, but he’d made it more than clear that he was keeping an eye out for her, though she wasn’t entirely sure how she felt aboutthat.
Irritation flickered across the Prince’s face. “Rafferty is coming with me, and I do not trust Dagen around you any more than I would trust an entire Wilde Fae Clan. You’re coming with me, so that I can keep an eye onyou.”
Bree frowned. “I’m a big girl,Taveon.”
He didn’t even object to the lack of atitle.
“Someone is clearly making an attempt on your life for reasons none of us know. Perhaps they would stop at that, or perhaps they would go further next time. I will not be taking that chance.” A pause. “You are far too valuable tome.”
She flinched. Of course. Because he didn’t truly care about her well-being, and he never had. All he cared about was his stupid throne and creating a monster who would kill for him whenever he asked. He wasn’t worried Bree would get hurt. He was worried about losing his little shapeshifterprize.
It was almost as though he enjoyed collecting them. First Rafferty. NowBree.
“I don’t suppose I have a choice in the matter, then,” she said with ascowl.
“Not in the least.” He pressed his lips together in a tight line. “I am the Prince, and you are my servant. You will do what Isay.”
It was a good thing he was acting like such an ass. Bree had almost started to forget why she hated him so much. Part of that was Rafferty’s fault. It was difficult to connect the two of them, not when Rafe was so different. She was pretty sure Rafe didn’t even know what Prince Taveon had told her in order to get her to come to the Dark Faerealm.
She wondered what he’d say if heknew.
After they’d gathered their horses and started down the path, Bree glanced to Taveon with her eyebrows raised. “So, what’s this little visit aboutanyway?”
“They did not make it to the ball, which is very much unlike them. They have been one of my closest allies for years, and we need to ensure they are at the castle for the Battle for the Crown. Plus, their absence does bring up some questions. It is hard to imagine they would turn on me now, but someone is responsible for everything that has been happening. The fact they were not at the ball causes someconcern.”
“Ah.” Bree rolled her eyes, the horse plodding along underneath her. “Morepolitics.”
“You act as though I am in the wrong.” A pause. “Gaining favor with the houses and the noble families is important for the future of the realm. If the power change does not go smoothly, the realm could descend into chaos. Something that the Wilde Fae would very much like to see. You can be assured that they would take full advantage of the situation if it comes tothat.”
“Yeah, I get that,” Bree said. “But I feel like with all the crowns and thrones and balls, you’ve forgotten all about the Tithe and the energy situation. About the innocent humans and the monsters they turn into just so you can feed on their energy. You’ve been so distracted by taking your father’s throne that you haven’t spoken to me about it forweeks.”
Taveon’s jaw rippled as he clenched his teeth. “First, we secure the crown. Then, we tackle the energyproblem.”
“You’re just saying that because you know if the whole realm knows that you want to get rid of the Tithe, they would never supportyou.”
Bree could tell she’d hit the nail on the head with the way Taveon’s jaw rippled and the veins in his neck began to bulge. They fell silent for a long while as the castle grew smaller and smaller behind them. Soon, they were deep within the darkness of a thick forest, the path growing so thin between the trees that they had to dismount their horses to go the rest of the way onfoot.
Bree watched Taveon with a frown as he murmured something softly into the horse’s ear. How could he be so gentle with those creatures when he was so horrible toher?
And then he turned, catching the expression of irritation on her face. “Why do you hate me so, Bree? At first, I thought it was because I am a Dark Fae, but then I see how you are with Rafe. You do not mind his presence. In fact, I can tell that you enjoy it. Lord Dagen’s, too, for thatmatter.”
“Because you lied to me,” Bree said, tears springing into her eyes. “Because you told me that your realm would invade Otherworld unless I came with you as a sacrifice. But that wasn’t the truth at all.” Bree fisted her hands and strode toward him, fire burning through her stomach. “Because you never once told the realm the truth about how King Midas died. You didn’t tell them that Norah was controlling that Breking. You didn’t need to hold me up as an example of the truce formed between realms. Hell, most of them don’t even know who I am or where I’ve come from. They know I’m your slave, but they don’t knowwhy.”
Rafferty frowned and stared at the Prince. “I thought Bree volunteered. Taveon, is this true? You told Bree that our realm would attack theirs unless she came withyou?”
“He did,” Bree said, tears spilling down her cheeks. “So, now you know why I’m not Taveon’s biggest fan. He lied to me to make me give up my life in Otherworld, all so he could have his littlepet.”
