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Aria
Scylla’shandmaidenshadgivenme a flowing white gown with gold thread sewn within the waistline and bust. Matching suns pinned a flowing cape to my shoulders, and my unbound hair cascaded to my hips. I had felt the heat of the armlets that Scylla had placed on me to symbolize her approval of my claim to the throne.
Still, the entire outfit looked like something stolen from theGame of Throneswardrobe.
The moment I reappeared, I found myself surrounded by hedges. After a moment of uncertainty, my feet began moving toward the palace discernable in the distance. I rounded a corner and then crashed into a solid, unmovable frame.
The hands that shot out to steady me sent a shock rushing through me, forcing me to jerk away from the unfamiliar touch. A warrior studied my face with interest simmering in turquoise eyes. His silver hair was cut shorter than most men wore it here. There was a braid, which held midnight strands woven behind his ear. He almost resembled Henry Cavill in his role ofThe Witcher, only with more pronounced features and far colder eyes.
“Your father is looking for you, Your Highness,” he said in a deep, gravelly tone. The moment he stepped back to allow me to pass, I realized he was the same warrior I’d locked eyes with in the courtyard.
“I . . .” What was I supposed to say had happened? That I fell down a rabbit hole and had a chat with my dead-but-not-really-dead, grandmother? Fennix and Fennia chose that moment to appear and rub against the warrior’s boots. A soft smile played on my lips. A bubble of laughter escaped before I could prevent it, which caused a soft grunt to expel from the man. “I’m afraid I got lost down a rabbit hole.”
“A rabbit hole, Your Majesty?” he questioned with a look of confusion tugging on his handsome features.
“My name is Aria,” I offered, dodging his question.
The warrior didn’t offer a name, which left me awkwardly standing before him. Instead of waiting to see if he scoffed at me, I started down the path without a backward glance at him.
“I’m afraid you’re going the wrong way,” he called to my back. Spinning around, I felt heat scorching my cheeks. “If you’ll follow me, I will take you to your father.”
“Please,” I muttered with annoyance, lathering the word.
“If we hurry, maybe we can stop your colorful friend from threatening the king’s life for the thirteenth time tonight.”
“I’m honestly shocked she’s only threatened him a dozen times. I expected the count to be much higher,” I returned with exhaustion sinking into my bones.
“You’re not fearful of her overstepping and threatening a king’s life? Or losing her head for doing so?”
“It isn’t me who should be worried. We came here under a white flag for the duration of time we’re here. I fail to see what one girl screaming obscenities could harm. Not if they don’t want a problem, anyway.”
“Are you normally such a brat?”
“Are you normally such an ass?” I shot back with ire rising in my veins as I stomped forward. “I’ve endured the trials to reach the kingdom. It took days to do so. During that time, I didn’t sleep or eat. Then I was sucked into a crystal and taken to God only knows where. Excuse me if I’m a little short-fused after having the land shock, burn, shake and whip the ever-loving shit out of me.”
“That isn’t a reason to be rude to someone offering to assist you, Your Highness.” The asshole folded his arms over his wide chest, daring me to argue further.
My stomach growled loudly, which caused those sinfully turquoise-colored eyes to drop to the sweeping V-line of the gown. He seemed to dissect every inch of exposed flesh while I cursed Scylla’s choice of attire. Returning the favor, I slid my regard over the expanse of his powerful chest until it landed on a round medallion. On it, twin phoenixes were perched opposite of one another. Both were grasping at the sun, which resembled a sunflower.
“Follow. Let us feed you so that you may retire for the night, Your Majesty.” At his low bow, I stifled a smile. His thinned lips told me he wasn’t impressed with me wandering alone after dark. Either he didn’t like me or he didn’t trust me, but no matter which, neither was my problem.
No sooner had we rounded the next corner, than a flash of silver shot toward my face. Another one moved toward the first as the thundering sound of steel-clashing-steel tore through the gardens. An arm caged me against the powerful body of the warrior behind me.
“Unhand me this instant!” I demanded as emotion churned through me. I’d felt the asshole to the very marrow of my being as if an invisible thread connected us somehow. The first man didn’t remove his arm, but the warrior who’d struck at me grappled for words at the sharp end of the warrior’s sword.
“You dare strike against the princess?” he growled, threat flooding his every word.
The soldier on the ground was evidently at a loss for words, sputtering them out. “No, I thought it was merely you, Zyion! I was catching you off guard to win the earlier game we’d played. You have to believe that I did not know you’d located the princess. I swear it on my oath to the king!” The warrior dropped to his knees and awkwardly began kissing the hemline of my dress as he pleaded for mercy.
“It was a mistake. No harm was done,” I offered, much to the disagreement of the warrior at my back. “Release me, now,” I hissed through clenched teeth. The hand clasping me firmly, loosened and started to fall away, but as it lowered to my hip, a thumb trailed over the exposed skin. Then he stepped away, offering me much-needed distance. “Please, get up. It was merely an accident.”
“Return to the barracks, Rayson. Report to the sergeant for being out past curfew and mention your slight against the princess. Tomorrow, you’ll tend the stables.”
“That’s unnecessary,” I argued, but the younger warrior rose to his feet and vanished from sight.
“Do not intervene between me and the recruits, Your Majesty. It is not your place to do so. You’re not the king, unless I am mistaken about what lies beneath the thin bodice of your gown?”
“They’re called boobs, block head,” I muttered before starting toward the path. “I’ll find my father myself. You’re dismissed, or whatever they say.” Holding my hand up, I waved at him like an adolescent child throwing a fit. His chuckle trailed me as I wove through the maze of shrubs lining the pathway. I stopped at the fountain in the center of the garden as the sound of Aden’s raised voice pulled me toward the entrance.
