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“No.”
He turned to his desk and got back to work, wanting to move past the tension as quickly as possible.
I walked out and shut the door behind me, wanting to forget the horror of this day.
3
AURELIAS
On the roof of the building, I sat and looked up into her window. She was too far away for her emotions to transfer into my mind, but I could read the emotions in her body as she moved back and forth, pacing with her arms crossed over her chest, her eyes on the ground near her feet.
I had watched Ethan position the sculptures the night before, place them in front of the castle as the guards watched on in confusion. He erected them all around the castle, and after seeing her, I knew they were made in her likeness.
And I knew she didn’t like it.
When she’d entered his shop, I could feel the swelling of her rage, feel the fury from her tiny little body. When I’d arrived in Delacroix, I’d thought this mission would be straightforward. Just grab Princess Harlow and leave. But she made it complicated.
I watched her train with her father—taking on a man twice her size with far more experience. Instead of being a spoiled member of royalty, she dedicated her time to Delacroix, gathering feedback from the villagers so King Rolfe could make improvements in the city to make their lives better. King Rolfe had relocated the capital to Delacroix during his reign in deference to his wife, who had grown up in and loved the city. Unlike other magistrates, this royal family served their people—rather than the other way around.
I almost felt bad for what I was about to do.
Almost.
I watched her approach the window then look down to where the statue had been days ago. She didn’t notice me, her mind distracted by all her distress. When she’d bumped into me outside the shop, it was a test.
A test of her reaction.
She was angry from her conversation with her lover, or herformerlover, so there was a swirl of emotions inside her. She was angry, frustrated to the point of tears, but when her eyes locked on mine there was a momentary pause.
A break in the clouds.
A ray of sunshine.
A glimmer of attraction.
I couldn’t drag her by force, not when she was so skilled with the blade and could easily cause a scene. I’d have to get her alone, slip something into her food or drink, and then get her out of Delacroix without being seen.
I couldn’t believe I’d agreed to his bullshit…kidnapping a princess. It was insulting. My brother better have healed all of the kingdoms by now and wiped the Ethereal off the face of the fucking earth. He was playing the hero, and I was stuck cleaning the stables. Was nearly killed by a yeti for this shit.
My mind started to drift as I became lost in my bitterness, but all those thoughts were wiped clean when I noticed the bare skin that appeared. My eyes focused on the window, seeing her pull her dress over her head. It happened fast, her tight tummy on display along with her perky tits. But then she stepped out of view, and when she returned, she’d changed into something else.
All my complaints and annoyance disappeared at the sight of her rosy flesh. She was a pretty girl, no denying that, but I was used to a line of beautiful women who were desperate to please me. But it still made me pause, still made my world stop for a moment in time.
Perhaps being alone with her wouldn’t be so unbearable.
4
HUNTLEY
My scouts sighted Pyre far in the distance, so I left the castle and stepped into the clearing where he would land with my brother. Ivory came with me, wearing a uniform similar to mine because she only wore dresses for social events—and wore nothing when it was just the two of us.
Pyre’s scales were brilliant in the sunlight, and the creature was more magnificent than I remembered. Powerful wings lowered him through the air, and when his sharp talons hit the ground, the earth shook. Ian sat at the nape of his neck and gripped the reins for balance before he toppled forward.
Ian climbed off Pyre and hit the dirt, wearing his black uniform with his armor, a jacket made of fur with a cloak across his back. It was far colder in HeartHolme than it was in Delacroix. His eyes locked with mine, and he approached, his arms swinging, his cloak moving in the breeze behind him.
I couldn’t suppress the grin that crept on to my lips.
He couldn’t either.
