I approach my parents’ room, known as Madeline’s chamber. I pause at the wooden door and knock gently. The thoughts of passing slaves echo loudly in my mind.
I’m already frowning when the door swings open to reveal Hael, looking irritated at the interruption.
“Busy?” I ask, and his expression softens when he sees it’s me.
“Just a bit, Luv.” Hael blocks the entrance to the bedroom, and I hear Madeline bustling in the background. There’s a clinking sound.
“Is she chained up again?” I ask, rolling my eyes.
“Don’t start,” Hael warns. “What’s up, little monkey?”
“I want Thad and Sylvan gone,” I tell him, and the door is suddenly yanked open as Madeline pulls on it.
I see her blush as she adjusts the flowing dress she’s just pulled on.
“Luv, please come in.” Maddie’s voice is sweet, and I feel a pang of guilt for my sharp tone.
But the guilt is fleeting, because I remember the secret she’s keeping from me.
“You all know I can read minds…” I begin, my tone already aggressive as I stride into the room, under Hael’s watchful gaze and Madeline’s anxious eyes.
“What did you hear?” Madeline asks, and I glare at her.
“Everyone’s hiding something from me. Something about the princes and me. I think it’s time they left.
“I want them gone. I can’t stand them. They’re so annoying—!”
“There’s a reason I haven’t told you about your upcoming trip to the Horde of Fortune—”
“Dead serious, Luv,” Hael says. “You’ve been safe growing up here, but you can’t stay forever.
“Lochness and I know you still struggle with your mind-reading abilities. The Horde of Fortune is known for its peaceful atmosphere.
“It’s a good place to learn to control your power.”
“And we knew how you’d react, so we kept it quiet,” Madeline adds, looking worried about my response.
“How long?” I ask, my teeth clenched.
“Not long.” Madeline shrugs. “Just a week.”
“I guess it could be worse,” I grumble at them. “I thought Thaddeus and Sylvan were promised to me.”
Madeline’s eyes widen in surprise, and she shakes her head at me while Hael looks on, amused.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Madeline sighs. “The princes are just your escorts. Do you have a problem with that?”
I open my mouth to list all my issues with the princes, but a look from Hael makes me close it again.
I just shake my head, deciding not to argue.
“We’re just a call away, sweetie,” Hael adds, his tone serious. “Remember that.”
“So you’re sending me away to learn to control my powers? What about Lex—?”
“We’re giving you a good deal, Luv,” Hael says with a smirk. “You’re leaving tomorrow morning with the twins.
“As for Lex and the other spoiled fledglings… I’m kicking them out of the Horde.”
“Wait…including Lex?” I’m taken aback. “What happened?”
“Young Dragons don’t do well growing up too close together,” Hael explains. “There have been too many fights between the fledglings who don’t get along.
“I’m giving you all a chance for independence, to figure out what you want in the wilderness.” Hael seems satisfied with his explanation.
“Some may become Rogues. Most will come back under my rule. Lex volunteered to join the others.”
“Of course he did. When is this happening?” I ask.
“Tomorrow morning, we’re sending them out.” Madeline fills in the rest. “I don’t want you with the other fledglings in the forest when your week in the Horde of Fortune is up.
“After that, you’re coming back here.”
“I suppose I should feel ‘special,’” I mutter, unsure whether to be offended or not.
“I’ve decided that until you find your mate, you’re not leaving our protection for long—” Madeline starts to explain, but I cut her off.
“Sending me to another Horde with two princes is supposed to keep me safe?” I snap.
“The princes’ intentions toward you are…mostly good,” Hael says. “Remember what I said, Luvenia. One call away. Got it?”
“Got it…” I ignore Madeline and nod at Hael as I head for the door.
“Luv,” Hael’s voice rumbles in my ear as I step into the cave corridor.
“Show your mother one more hint of disrespect, and you’ll find yourself out in the forest with the other fledglings, figuring out who your real friends are.”
“That means you’ll be all alone in the forest, Luv,” Hael warns, his voice stern. He adds what he obviously thinks is helpful advice.
“Stand tall—you have no idea how easy you’ve had it compared to your mother.
“She fought her way into my heart, through all the blood, sweat, and tears she’s shed just to survive everyone she’s met…including me.
“Think of tomorrow as a chance to learn. You can protect yourself, and if you can’t, Lochness and I are…”
“Just a call away. I get it.” I drop my gaze to the floor, avoiding Hael’s intense stare. He grins, satisfied, and shuts the door.
But the moment the door closes, ending our conversation, I raise my mental firewall.
With my thoughts safe, I finally let the tears well up.
I turn and hurry to my bedroom, my eyes red and watery by the time I reach for the doorknob.
I slam the door shut and sink to the floor, pulling my knees to my chest as my emotions surge.
Four things scare me in this world.
My fathers and their anger.
And…
The princes, Thaddeus and Sylvan.
My life has been confined within these walls, with occasional escapes into the forest of my mind; a place where I can be alone.
A place free of responsibility.
Maybe Hael is right. I haven’t really lived, and now they think I’m ready to explore the world without them.
Tomorrow, the door to my gilded cage will open.
I just didn’t expect my first taste of freedom to be spent with Thaddeus and Sylvan.
I don’t want to step out of one cage… and into another.
I wish I hadn’t overheard the girls talking about their experiences with the princes.
The princes, it seems, prefer submissive females. Half of the girls they’ve been with are the most compliant and shy.
I know why they like the submissive ones. Althor raised his nephews to believe in the old ways: Men are superior in this world.
Whether you’re a Dragon, half-blood, human, or royalty.
I may be a half-blooded princess... but I’m still a woman.
I don’t want to think about what the princes might do if they push me too far.
Honestly, I don’t trust myself not to punch them both in their perfect faces if they push me too far.
When I get scared, I react... and not always rationally.
As I sit there, a solution suddenly hits me!
And I know how to do it!
Thad and Sylvan like girls with curves in all the right places, tanned... with light hair.
Ethne and the other girls always tell me when we go to the spring baths that my body type isn’t attractive to men.
They say that despite my pretty face, my large breasts on a thin body with pale skin are a turn-off.
I’ve always believed them, and now, I want to.
Sure, everyone loves my face. It’s perfectly symmetrical.
But once I take off my clothes? I’m nothing special. I’m not proportioned the way men usually like.
According to Ethne, my pale skin is the biggest turn-off of all.
And I don’t smile much.
So, I have a plan.
Maybe when Thaddeus and Sylvan see me naked, they’ll be so repulsed they’ll go back to their usual type of girl.
I also have to remember, my whole life, as I’ve avoided them, the princes have avoided me.
It’s only in the past two days that they’ve started showing a bit more interest in me. So, it shouldn’t be too hard to make that interest fade quickly.
As I think through my plan, I start to feel confident.
If I’m smart, I can end this battle with the princes before it even starts.
