Page 61 of The Faceless Mage
“No!” The guard, beaten and bruised as he was, lurched upwards and crawled towards the bars. “Your Highness, you must not do it. I am more than willing to rot here rather than see you forced into this.”
“Shhh, Zander. It will be all right,” she soothed, but they probably both knew it would never be all right.
The Raven took hold of himself and forced his hands to remain still. Forced his rage to submit to his will. Forced himself to notice that the viper prince was no happier about his father’s demands than the obviously reluctant bride.
Now, why would that be the case? Vaniell had spent this entire time trying to impress her. Or had he?
Before the Raven could consider that further, the princess found her voice.
“As proud as I would be to save the life of a man who has saved mine more times than I can count, you must know that I cannot.”
“And why is that?” Melger inquired smoothly.
She summoned a look of patient condescension. “A princess of Farhall cannot marry without her sovereign’s consent. I must be permitted to return home and speak with my father before any marriage can take place.”
“Consent?” Melger waved a hand. “That can be gained in writing. No, I will not permit you to leave while this alliance is still in question. Farhall will be brought to realize that they cannot trample on Garimore’s goodwill and hospitality.”
“Then you will allow me time to send a message?” the princess queried.
“You will send nothing,” Melger all but shouted. “Do you imagine that I believe this man was spying of his own accord?Iwill send a message, apprising Soren of what has occurred. He will be informed of his options, and until his answer arrives, you will remain here, in your rooms, under constant surveillance.”
His expression grew menacing. “And if at any point you behave or speak in a way that I find threatening or suspicious, I will post my bodyguard in your very chambers until you have married my son and this alliance is settled.”
“Ah, Father…” Vaniell raised one slender hand as if looking for permission to speak, but Melger had seized the reins, and he was not relinquishing them to anyone.
“Youwill do nothing and say nothing other than what I tell you,” he snarled, and no doubt, everyone in the room could hear the unspokenor else.
Vaniell subsided, but rather than angry, he looked thoughtful.
And the princess? She was looking at the Raven.
To anyone else, perhaps she would appear to be shocked and appalled by the king’s threat. But to him?
He could feel her fear. Not for herself, but for her guard. For her kingdom. And he could feel her resolve. She would not be sitting tamely in her room, waiting for her future to be decided.
The Raven held back what he feared might be a smirk as he considered King Melger’s reaction to the eventual news that he’d married his son to a nameless girl from Farhall.
Was it possible that Soren might have the same thought? Let the marriage go forward, thereby saving his own daughter and invalidating the treaty?
Thereby destroying the lives of everyone he’d sent to act on his behalf?
The thought filled the Raven with rage, but the fake princess was still looking at him, and he… He could not bring himself to terrify her further.
So he said nothing. Did nothing.
“Very well,” the fake princess said at last. “I can see that you have left me no choice. I will return to my chambers and await King Soren’s reply. Until that time, however, I would beg of you the services of a physician to care for my subject. In the event that an accord is reached, I would not wish for the alliance between our kingdoms to begin with his death.”
Having gained her acquiescence, Melger seemed inclined to be reasonable.
“I would not have it said that we are cruel beyond reason,” he allowed. “Someone will tend his wounds, though I would caution you not to expect me to be concerned with his comfort. The man is a traitor and a spy.”
“A spy, perhaps,” the princess countered. “But he is notyoursubject, therefore it is for me to decide whether he has committed treason.”
But Melger had her under his thumb now, so he merely smiled blandly at her defiance.
“I believe it is time for you to return to your chambers,” he said icily. “My Raven will ensure that you do not go astray.”
It was a true compulsion, and the Raven felt as it took hold.