Reign of Ice (Forever Fae #4)(28)
“She said she wasn’t his queen,” another warrior cut in. “If I knew that was absolutely true I’d try to talk to her myself.”
“Conner, she wouldn’t give you the time of day,” someone else said. “But we all know how our Prince gets when he trains hard.” My ears perked up and I moved closer. The young warrior who just spoke turned his head and addressed a tall, brown haired female with supple breasts and curves to die for. “Taryn, since it’s obvious the princess isn’t going to work him out tonight, are you? You were the one he always wanted before.”
What? I wanted to scream. Just the thought of Brayden with someone else made me sick and angry to the core. What made it worse was actually hearing about it.
The girl he called Taryn adjusted her dress and licked her lips seductively. “Of course he wanted me, Sage. How could he not?” Because he has me you stupid bitch, I thought. There was nothing redeeming about Taryn and I could tell it in the tone of her voice and the way she carried her body. She used sex to get what she wanted and it was clear as day that she used her body to work her way up the ladder to Brayden. Not anymore.
“When was the last time you were with him? Be careful because it might cause problems with the princess. I don’t think you’d last in a fight against her,” Sage said.
Taryn scoffed. “I’m not too worried about that, and besides, how is she going to know if I take her prince for a ride. I can be sneaky when I want to be.”
So can I, I thought to myself. You have no idea how sneaky I can be.
When everyone dispersed and went their separate ways, I made sure to get a head start toward Brayden’s dwelling. Hiding behind a tree so that no one could see, I glamoured myself back into my true form. Taryn strutted her way down the path, and when she came upon the tree I circled around, allowing her to see me. She froze where she stood and all the confidence I heard her spew just a few minutes ago evaporated.
“Your Highness, what are you doing out here?” she asked hesitantly.
Pushing off the tree, I walked up to her and smiled, even though I wanted to punch her in the face. She swallowed hard, but maintained her stance. “I’m waiting on you. You’re not trying to be sneaky are you?” I said in a sweet voice. “Because sometimes being sneaky can get you into a lot of trouble. Do you understand where I’m going with this, or do I need to spell it out for you?”
She backed up and bowed her head before angrily answering with clenched teeth, “Yes, I understand, Your Highness.”
My smile disappeared and I rested my hand casually on the hilt of my sword. “Good, I’m glad I didn’t have to explain it to you. I think it’s best that you turn around and go back to where you came from. Your services won’t be needed again … ever.”
Placing her hands on her hips, Taryn scoffed and stomped away. No one was going to be servicing Brayden ever again if he didn’t pass the test I was going to throw him. I felt juvenile for playing these games, but it was up to me to keep my heart safe. It shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone anyway. I was known for the tricks up my sleeve and I might as well do what I was good at.
“ARIELLA, WHERE ARE you?” I hissed through our bond. I’d searched everywhere in the palace for her and nothing. No one had seen her since the fight and she wasn’t answering me through our connection.
“Dammit, why aren’t you answering me?”
I stormed through the castle halls angrily until I almost bumped into my mother coming out of the art room. She smiled at first, but then furrowed her brow, studying me. “Son, what’s wrong? Why are you so angry?”
“Have you seen, Ariella?” I asked through clenched teeth.
With her eyes twinkling, she shook her head and tried to hold back her smile. “No, I haven’t seen her, but I did hear about what happened this afternoon. I wish I could’ve seen it. Maybe we should get Ariella to train some of our females to fight.”
That actually wasn’t a bad idea. “I’ll talk to her about it,” I muttered, “but right now I need to find her. If you see her, tell her I’ll be at our place waiting. Surely, she won’t stay gone all night.”
“Give her space, son. She’ll be back when she’s ready.” She kissed me on the cheek and turned on her heel, but stopped abruptly and said, “Oh yeah, before I forget. Durin sent word that he’s working on the dagger for the princesses. He will be delivering it in about three weeks.”
Great, I thought. Three weeks of hell trying to keep Ariella safe from the sorcerer and from me. This foolishness was going to end tonight whether she liked it or not.
Closing my eyes, I sighed. “All right, three weeks. I’m sure we will manage somehow.” I ambled away from my mother and out of the palace doors, running at a fast pace to my dwelling.
Slamming open the door, I called, “Ariella! Are you here?” There was no sound, only silence as I searched through the rooms of the house on the lower level. Running up the stairs, I searched through those rooms as well, but stopped when I saw her stuff in my bedroom. Did she know this was my room? I wondered.
Stripping out of my armor, I took a quick shower and wrapped a towel around my waist before heading to my closet. The wound on my arm had already healed from Ariella’s sword slicing through my skin. It was only a surface scratch and I honestly didn’t think she meant to do it. Before I could grab a set of clothes out of my closet a knock sounded at the door.