Chapter 3

Chapter

Three

~ Princess Blake ~

K ing Celzar arrives not long after Sassia leaves. Two guards escort me from my room, and I tense when I see the king standing in the hallway. He’s in his non-centaur form, standing on two legs and dressed in a pressed silver suit with a blue silk tie. His dark hair has been slicked away from his angular face, and his sharp gaze shines with approval as he takes in my appearance.

“Very good,” he murmurs under his breath. “Now, one last thing.” He lifts his hand into the air, sending out a burst of power, and I’m surprised when pain lashes my back, my muscles convulsing as fire ignites on my skin. I grit my teeth, refusing to cry out and give him that satisfaction, but I bend over, breathing heavily. When the pain subsides seconds later, I straighten and peer over my shoulder in horror.

“My wings,” I choke out, and my hate-filled glare goes to the king. “What have you done?” Panic flutters in my chest, but I work on steadying my heartbeat. The king has already suppressed my power. I shouldn’t be so surprised that he’s taken my wings from me, too. It’s simply another thing I’m going to have to fix when the time comes.

“Blake? What’s happening?” Shade asks from back in the room, clearly sensing my distress through our connection.

“I’m fine,” I tell her quickly, and I block her from my mind. I haven’t forgotten Sassia’s warning to be wary when using my power around the king, and the last thing I want is for him to take that small win away from me now.

I don’t need to worry. King Celzar is too busy beaming at me like he’s proud of his handiwork. “The existence of other realms isn’t a secret, but this way there will be less…questions,” he says primly, replying to my earlier question. “I don’t need the high lords and ladies of The Haven knowing there are outsiders here. Now come, my beloved.” He gestures with his head and holds out the crook of his arm like he expects me to take it.

My eyes narrow to slits, and I can’t believe the audacity of this guy. Forcing the thought of my missing wings from my mind, I lift my chin and stride forward, ignoring his arm as I stand beside him. I might be in another realm, but I assume the rules here are the same. Never show weakness. I’m not about to let the king think he’s already broken me.

On the other hand, I know he might retaliate at my show of defiance, but his grin only grows wider. He lowers his arm and turns to the two guards closest to us. “We’d best not forget our other new friend, as well,” he tells them, and I watch in confusion as the guards nod their heads and disappear into my room.

There’s a squawk, and my heart sinks. “What are you doing?” I hiss at King Celzar, but I’m pretty sure I already know. It turns out I’m right, because the guards reappear shortly after with Shade’s cage held between them, and my friend clinging onto the perch for dear life. Fuck.

Something sinister enters King Celzar’s eyes as he watches me. “Behave tonight, and no harm will come to your precious pet,” he warns me, his lips quirking upward into a smile like he thinks this is all a game.

“Behave? And what exactly are you expecting from me?” I say, glaring at him. I should know better than to give him the reaction he wants. Years of growing up while having to deal with the demon king’s games should have prepared me better, but I’m overwhelmed in this strange place, and I’m on edge without my mates, so I can’t help but ask.

King Celzar leans closer to me, and his overpowering scent of roses makes my nose twitch. “The announcement celebration we’re about to attend will solidify our engagement. The high lords and ladies of The Haven will want to meet their future queen and offer their congratulations.” He flashes his perfect teeth when he smiles. “All you have to do is play along and mind your tongue. I trust that’s not too hard a task for you to accomplish.”

Mind my tongue? The fact he’s just said that shows he really doesn’t know me, and I give him a forced smile. “And if I don’t?”

His smile turns cruel, his thin lips twitching as his gaze slides to Shade before finding me again. “If you don’t, let’s just say our guests will get to witness a different kind of spectacle tonight.”

A chill races down my spine. “Hurt Shade, and you’ll wish you never kidnapped me.” It’s a promise, but the king doesn’t look bothered by my threat.

“Shade? Is that what you call her?” He smiles, tapping his chin with his finger. “Now, why is that name so appropriate?” There’s something about the way he says his last comment that has unease going through me, but he starts forward, his heeled boots clicking on the floor as he strolls away from me and up the hallway. I snatch another glance at Shade before I begrudgingly follow him. The moment I move, six guards flank us, two of them carrying Shade’s cage between them.

King Celzar walks slowly, clearly waiting for me to catch up to him, and I maintain a healthy distance as I keep pace with the male. The slit in the white gown I’m wearing reveals a generous portion of my left leg as I walk, but otherwise, the stroll through the palace is mostly uneventful. You know, aside from the fact that the palace is absolutely huge, and much more extravagant than the demon castle back at home.

Despite the shitty situation, for a short while, I find myself distracted by hallways filled with incredible murals that are expertly crafted, crystal sculptures that are so detailed they almost appear lifelike, and intricate paintings that are embedded with enough crystals that it starts to feel as though we’re walking past stars. Larger crystals extend from the walls, bathing the hallways in glowing white light, and my heels sink into the plush silver and blue patterned carpet beneath our feet. Unlike the demon castle which has been designed for war, this palace screams luxury, and it’s hard not to get swept up by the stunning artwork.

We turn down another hallway, and it’s filled with at least a hundred mirrors of different sizes, all with frames made of white crystal. The mirrors are arranged together like some kind of mosaic artwork, and I can’t help but roll my eyes when the king tilts his head to the side, admiring his reflection. He is attractive, I have to admit, with his sleek features and sharp jawline, but he always seems to have a pinched expression, and I still think he’d look better with my hands wrapped around his neck.

Not thinking, I unblock Shade, unable to help myself. “I don’t see why he needs another bride when he’s obviously already in love with himself.” Of course, going by what the servant, Sassia, said, the real reason he’s chosen me is because of my power, but why go through all the effort of a wedding ceremony? Why not just kill me now?

Shade’s laughter trills in my head, and just the sound of it is enough to ease some of my tension. “All he needs is his hand and a mirror, and he’s set for life. Do you think he calls out his own name when he comes? That would be weird, right? Like, ohhh Celzar.”

Her comment makes me snort with amusement as that unwelcome image works its way into my head, but then her laughter abruptly stops, and she hisses a warning in my mind. “Crap, Blake! Look out!”

I lift my gaze to find King Celzar scrutinizing me. He’s stopped before a set of double doors made from white crystal, and I quickly squash my magic again, re-blocking Shade from my mind.

As I move to stand beside the king, I feign innocence, and he examines the side of my face. “You, my darling, smell…different,” he muses suspiciously.

I give him a sweet smile. “It must be all the excitement,” I reply, fighting hard to keep my sarcasm contained.

His gaze lingers on me for a moment longer, and then his attention goes to Shade in her cage.

Oh, fuck. “Well, what are we waiting for?” I blurt, indicating to the doors in front of us with my head. “Is this where the announcement party is being held? The guests must be getting antsy.” Truthfully, I have no idea if we’re late to the party or not, but King Celzar turns his attention from Shade, so thankfully, it looks like my distraction tactic works.

The king levels me with a stare, and when he finally speaks, his voice is deathly calm. “Don’t embarrass me, my betrothed. When we enter, you will be on your best behavior. I will not be laughed at.”

So clearly, I must have done a terrible job at hiding my sarcasm, and my instinct is to respond with something offensive, but I’m smart enough to keep my mouth closed. I simply nod once, and it must be enough to satisfy him, because he turns forward again. Lifting himself higher, he puffs out his chest.

“Open,” he commands, and the guards standing sentry near us, pull the doors wide. My mouth drops open. Whoa. Despite my reluctance to be here, I can’t help but look on with surprise as I peer into the enchanting space beyond. Like the rest of the palace, everything sparkles and gleams, and white crystals are embedded into every surface, even arranged in intricate patterns along the walls. Three large chandeliers hang from the ceiling, comprised entirely of crystals shaped into perfect roses, and they glow brightly, bathing the room in bright, white light. Guards wearing royal armor stand sentry along the walls, their centaur forms tall and imposing, and the large room is filled with hundreds of guests dressed in lavish, glittering clothes. Unlike the guards, the guests all stand on two legs, and now that I know to look for them, I notice the cuffs visible around their ankles. Unlike the king, they don’t have the option to change into their centaur forms at will.

Gasps erupt around me when I enter the room, walking beside the king, but the high born of The Haven are quick to bow their heads, showing their respect as we make our way through the center of the ballroom. All the while, King Celzar beams proudly, keeping his nose high in the air as we stroll past the guests toward the raised dais at the other end of the room. There, the king stops before a long table and turns to face the guests.

Following his lead, I force a smile as Shade’s cage is carried over and placed on a pedestal close by. The king holds out his hand, and a servant hurries forward, passing him a crystalline glass filled with bubbling liquid. When I’m given one as well, I wrap my fingers tightly around the glass, hoping there’s at least something alcoholic inside.

Music starts up as a band that’s to one side of the dais begins to play a sweet tune, and when the melody ends shortly after, the king clears his throat. “My high lords and ladies of The Haven,” King Celzar’s melodic voice rings out, and he raises his drink into the air. “For many years we have had peace here in our new home, and for as long as I rule, this peace will continue.” There’s polite applause, and the king grins widely, waiting for the room to quiet down before continuing. “However, as you know, my late queen, Desmer, passed away years ago, and I feel as though the time is right for me to take another wife.” He pauses and his eyes crinkle, glowing with warmth as he stares at me, and if it wasn’t for the fact that I know he’s completely full of shit, even I might have thought his expression of endearment was convincing. As it is, it takes all my effort not to roll my eyes. Behave Blake. Let’s not start the party by getting Shade killed.

“Tonight, I urge you to celebrate a new royal union,” he continues. “One between me, and my new betrothed. Many of you will not have seen her as she is not a high born like you, but she brings me happiness, and I have no doubt she will make a fine queen.”

It doesn’t surprise me that the king wants to pretend I’m one of them. Considering he’s already hidden my wings, it makes sense that pretending I’m a nobody from their kingdom will result in less questions. But going from what Sassia said, it’s no secret that the king kills his brides. So why pretend this is going to be a happy union?

The room erupts with applause, and I stare again at the cuffs on the lords and ladies around me. I think about everything Sassia has said about her kind, and the idea that these high-born citizens are prisoners just like me is unsettling. Remember, this isn’t your fight, Blake. You just need to get this cuff off and rescue your mates. It sounds simple when I say it like that, but I can’t seem to forget about Sassia’s plea for me to free them.

Over the next few hours, I sit beside the king as a banquet of food is brought to us and the lords and ladies come forward in turn, offering gifts of gold, crystals, and other treasures to show their support of the new royal union. The new royal sacrifice. Clearly everyone is on board with the fucked up situation I’m in, and a sickening feeling churns in my gut as I stare at the growing pile of gifts.

“Congratulations, your highness,” a shrill voice has me looking up, and my attention goes to a tall, plump female with a hawkish nose and short blond hair. Bird designs adorn the waist of her vibrant red dress, tiny crystals decorating the eyes of the animals and outlining their wings. The lady studies me carefully before turning her gaze back to the king, and I don’t miss the fact that she’s the first guest to stand straight as she addresses him. “I am glad to hear this union will bring peace. I truly do hope our new queen will help to bring you the happiness you deserve. Nothing could mean more to us.” Her lips curve into a smile, and I’m not sure if I’m misreading the undertone of sarcasm, or if I’m just projecting, but I could swear her words are less than genuine. Then again, it makes sense considering the guests are all prisoners just as I am. Sassia had said that many have tried to remove the cuffs before me, and I wonder just how many citizens would be glad of the king’s death.

King Celzar doesn’t seem to pick up on anything, and he thanks the lady in red for her kind words, as she offers him a silver pouch filled with diamonds. Most of the other high lords and ladies hardly glance my way when they bring their offerings to the king, and the ones that do only stare at me with pity, though they hide the expression behind their carefully maintained smiles.

As the night goes on, nothing eventful happens. Unlike in Seral, where the demon leaders from the different clans are constantly at each other’s throats, everyone here just gets along. It’s seriously creepy, and I have to wonder if it’s because of the cuffs. I mean, what happened to make everyone like this? And why the cuffs in the first place? Is it simply so the king can have control, or is there another reason?

I’m deep in thought when King Celzar leans close, his unpleasant floral scent shattering the calm bubble I’d created. His lips come close to my ear, and I have to stop myself from acting on instinct and smashing my fist into his face. Instead, I sit there letting him move in uncomfortably close. Behave, Blake, I remind myself.

“It is time, my beloved,” the king tells me, his voice smooth but a little slurred, likely from the multiple glasses of that bubbly liquid he’s consumed.

“Time? For what?” So far, I think I’ve been doing a pretty stellar job at handling myself during this party, but truthfully, all I’ve had to do was sit here and keep my mouth shut.

“As is tradition, it is time for us to partake in the dance of the falina ,” he says, his voice taking on a strange accent as he says the last word. “The dance that signifies a new commitment,” he explains.

A dance? I have to stop myself from groaning. It’s not like I hate dancing or anything, it’s just that I’m not very good at it. When Dad organized my lessons as a child, training and classes on war always took precedence over the less meaningful arts such as dancing. Though I learned the basics, something tells me my mediocre skills aren’t going to cut it tonight.

“You sure?” I ask him. “Because I can barely pull off the dances we have back at home. Trust me, you do not want me on the floor.”

The king looks less than enthused about my admission, and ignoring my warning, he lifts to his feet and holds out his hand.

Dancing it is, then.

I place my hand in his, and the moment we’re standing, he signals to the band. The music quietens, and the nobles move to the side, clearing a space on the ballroom floor. I let the king lead me forward, and when we’re in the center of the cleared space, the music starts up again as the band plays a lively, but passionate song. It’s like nothing I’ve heard before, the musicians playing low, soulful notes before their fingers move on their instruments and the melody reaches up high again, but I don’t have time to appreciate the music because the king pulls me in way too damn close for my liking. It feels so wrong to have his hands on me, but I grit my teeth, forcing myself not to do anything stupid as he starts moving us in time to the song.

To my surprise, while the king is clearly a terrible leader of his kind, he has a knack for dancing, and I find it takes little effort for me to follow his lead. Of course, his scent of roses still makes me want to step away from him, but for a moment, I don’t find myself hating it as I’m swept up in the song, feeling the notes vibrate through me as I move my body. Well, who knew dancing could be so… I pause, mid-thought. ‘Fun’ isn’t the right word. Relaxing, maybe?

We’ve been dancing for a while when some of the lords and ladies move on to the floor around us, each of them dancing in perfect synchronization as they join us. And when I say synchronized, I mean perfect, down to the placement of their arms and the wide and somewhat creepy smiles on their faces. It’s a practiced kind of beauty, and it makes me wonder how many times they’ve danced this before tonight.

I’m almost tempted to ask the king about it, when I feel his hand lower, sliding down from the curve of my back to my ass. That’s right, my freaking ass. Repulsion rises in me, because this male is definitely not my mate, and I grind my teeth as I try to stop myself from reacting. Behave, Blake. Behave. But the warning isn’t helping, because this is not okay, and I’m about three seconds away from breaking his wrist. King Celzar smirks, a hint of lust in his eyes as his hand tightens on my ass, and before I lose my shit, I decide to give him the curtesy of a warning.

“Move your hand, King Celzar,” I say quietly through gritted teeth. “Or you’re about to lose it.”

I figure that shouldn’t get me into too much trouble, but a high lord and lady gliding past us must hear me, because the female loses her balance and trips, twisting her ankle and tumbling down, pulling her partner with her.

The music stops, the room growing quiet as King Celzar glowers at me, his eyes turning into cruel dark orbs. “Never when I have danced the falina , has a dancer fallen,” he seethes, and going by the anger rolling off him, I’m starting to get the feeling that this is a bigger deal than I first thought.

His head twists to the side, addressing the closest guard. “Take her.”

At first, I think he’s referring to me, but then two guards march forward, grabbing the fallen dancer under her arms. They force her to her feet, ignoring her cries when they make her place her weight on her sore ankle. I expect her dance partner to protest, but he only watches in grim silence as they start leading her away, presumably to be punished. What the fuck?

“Stop,” I say. “She only fell because I distracted her.” I don’t hold any loyalty to the Perstalians around me, but it doesn’t sit right that this female should be punished because of me.

“Yes,” King Celzar replies, his eyes still dark. “She let you distract her, when nothing should have broken her focus.”

“You can’t be seri?—”

“As for you,” he says, his grip tightening on me as he stops me from finishing. His head lowers, and he breathes in as he drops his head beside mine. “You do not tell me if I can or cannot touch you. I own you now, my beloved, and you’ll learn to love my hands on you, or at least, endure it.” To prove his point, he squeezes his hand that’s still on my ass, and I swear to Lady Fate there’s only so much control you can expect a demon to have. My knee is up and in his groin before I can think about what I’m doing, and King Celzar grunts, bending over as he stumbles back from me.

Fucker.

Shocked gasps fill the air around us, and I curse, realizing what I’ve done. Shade hops in her cage, her feathers ruffled, and panic shoots through my system. The guards along the walls start to draw their blades, but King Celzar gives a hand signal, and they relax their stances again.

Opening my mouth, I go to hastily squeeze out an apology, but King Celzar’s makes another hand signal, and the words die in my throat as the guard closest to Shade unlocks her cage door. He reaches in, grabbing my friend, and Shade squawks, trying to wiggle herself free. This only makes the guard squeeze his hand tighter, and her feathers spill between his fingers until she stops moving. “Blake,” Shade whimpers in my mind when I let her back in. I don’t care anymore that I’m using the shred of magic I have.

“Stop!” I shout at the king, my heart thrashing wildly in my chest, but King Celzar only cocks his head, glaring at me.

“Please,” I plead when the guard keeps holding onto Shade. “It was just a reflex. It won’t happen again.” It’s a blatant lie, because I will gouge out the king’s eyes before I let him touch me in that way, but I’ll say anything to save my friend.

King Celzar blinks at me, obviously not believing a word of my lie, and I hold my breath, waiting to see what will happen. If I had my magic, he’d be halfway across the room by now, broken and bloody, but with the cuff, all I can do is wait.

I’m relieved when his lips twist, and he laughs. “A reflex, she says. She’s certainly more spritely than my Desmer.”

I smile awkwardly, staring around me as the guests start laughing along with him. It doesn’t escape my notice that the lady in red with the hawkish nose is the only one of the guests with her lips still pressed together, and a serious expression on her face. Yep, she’s definitely not on his side.

King Celzar moves into my space again, and this time I stay perfectly still, not reacting to his close proximity. “I told you if you misbehaved, darling, your pet would be the one to suffer,” he tells me, his voice so soft I only just hear him. “Maybe if I break every bone in the bird’s body, you’ll start taking me more seriously.”

I breathe heavily, struggling to control my anger. “Harm her and we’ll see who’s the one making mistakes,” I seethe. “The moment I have this cuff off, you’ll regret ever taking me. I’ve dealt with worse than you.”

His eye twitches at my threat, and I think this is it. This is the moment I accidentally get my friend killed. My heart is beating so hard my chest aches, but I don’t take my gaze from the king’s face.

Seconds pass, and I ready myself to attack. I might not have my magic, but I can still do damage. I’m ready to drive my palm into the king’s nose when his expression softens, and he gestures with his hand. The guard holding Shade releases her and steps away from the cage again, and my shoulders sag. Thank the lady.

“Embarrass me again, and you won’t get another warning,” King Celzar whispers, and I know he means it. He reaches down, his finger tracing along the side of my face, but unlike the other times when he’s touched me, this time his skin is ice cold. At his touch, a burst of energy rushes into me, and I gasp. There’s a crawling sensation inside me, like ants are burrowing under my skin, and then my energy starts draining from me, my body weakening at his touch. It’s like his magic is stealing a part of me. Fuck. This must be what Sassia was talking about. She’d said the king could steal power, and I should have seen this coming…except I didn’t.

My heart thunders, and I try to move away, but my body is paralyzed, like his magic is holding me hostage. Shade squawks, clearly panicked, but I can’t hear her in my head anymore. Just when I think this might be it, King Celzar pulls back, releasing me. I fall to my knees, my breathing ragged as the king watches me in satisfaction. “Better,” he murmurs.

My vision swims, and I blink rapidly, but the faces of the guests around me remain blurry, a smear of color.

“What did you do?” I croak, though I already know. This was just a little taste of the king’s power.

King Celzar ignores me and addresses the guards who escorted us to the party. “Take her and the bird back to their room,” he orders.

There’s the rattling of armor, and rough hands grab under my arms, lifting me to my feet. I’m too weak to fight, and it’s clear I underestimated the king’s power. What had Sassia said? That once the king removes the cuff following our wedding ceremony, I’ll have seconds to kill him before his power has me?

Well, fuck. We’re in trouble.