Page 47 of The Stolen Heir
An odd gleam comes into the prince’s eye.
Another blow lands.
Why doesn’t he hit back? Even if Oak wanted them to strike first, they’ve done it. He would be well within his rights to fight. “Queen Annet will punish you for attacking the Crown Prince!” I shout, hoping the ogre will come to his senses before Oak gets hurt worse.
At my words, the other ogre clamps down on his friend’s shoulder, restraining him from a third blow. “The boy’s had enough.”
“Have I?” Oak asks, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His smile grows, showing red teeth.
I turn to him in utter disbelief.
Oak stands up straighter, ignoring the bruise blooming beneath one eye, pushing away the hair hanging in his face. He looks a little dazed.
“Hit me again,” the prince says, daring them.
The two ogres share a look. The companion seems nervous. The other makes a fist.
“Come on.” Oak’s smile does not seem to belong to him. It’s not the one he turned on the dancers. Not the one he turned on me. It’s full of menace, his eyes shining like a blade.“Hit me.”
“Stop it!” I scream, so loud that several more people turn toward me. “Stop!”
Oak appears chagrined, as though he were the only one I was yelling at. “Your pardon,” he says.
They allow him to stumble over to me. Whether he’s punch-drunk or just plain drunk, I cannot tell.
“You’re hurt,” I say, foolishly.
“I lost you in the crowd,” Oak says. There’s a bruise purpling at the corner of his mouth, and a few specks of blood mixed with his freckles.
The same mouth that I kissed.
I nod, too stunned to do more. My heart is still racing.
“Shall we put our dance practice to some purpose?” he asks.
“Dance?” I ask, my voice coming out a little high.
His gaze goes to the circles of leaping and cavorting Folk. I wonder if he is in shock.
I have just come from betraying him. I feel rather shocked myself.
I put my hand in his as if mesmerized. There is only the warmth of his fingers against my chilly skin. His amber fox eyes, pupils wide and dark. His teeth catch his lip, as though he’s nervous. I reach up and touch his cheek. Blood and freckles.
He’s shaking a little. I guess if I’d done what he did, I’d still be shaking, too.
“Your Highness,” comes a voice.
I drop his hand. The rose-haired knight has pushed her way through the crowd, three more heavily armored soldiers behind her. Their expressions are grim.
My stomach drops.
The knight bows. “Your Highness, I am Revindra, part of Queen Annet’s guard. And I bring news that your—that one of your companions broke into our prison and released Lady Nore’s spy as well as one of Queen Annet’s mortals and a merrow from the Undersea.”
I say nothing. There’s nothing for me to say.
“What evidence do you have?” Oak asks with a quick glance in my direction.
“A confession from a kelpie that he gave her aid. She paid him with this.” Revindra opens her palm to show the silver fox with the peridot eyes.