“That’s a bit extreme.” Cyrus spoke up, “Maybe—” But the King didn’t let him finish.
“No, this human clearly stole from us, and he has the gall to show no respect on top of it. Would you have us let thieves run free, is that what you would do as king?” King Astraeus demanded as he turned to Cyrus, who bristled at his accusation. He couldn’t say why he didn’t want Raziel punished. This was bizarre, but Raziel was definitely up to something, and I had a feeling Prince Kian knew exactly what that was. I would have to get to the bottom of this.
Could it be connected to Kian’s plans with the Night Kingdom attack?
“Of course not, my King.” Cyrus bowed his head, grinding his teeth.
“Good.” King Astraeus exclaimed, clapping his hands before he stood and walked down the dais. “Kian, take care of it.” The king ordered his younger son before he walked out, leaving Prince Kian, Cyrus, Raziel, and me.
“Don’t worry, Brother.” Prince Kian teased. “There’s always more where he came from.” Kian gave a grimacing, forced smile to Cyrus. He looked over to me before his eyes shot back to Cyrus, calling over two guards to bring Raziel. “You don’t mind me adding him to your others, do you, brother?”
“What is he talking about?” I dared to ask. “What others?” Cyrus looked at me, his gaze growing hard.
“Don’t worry about that.” Cyrus growled. “Go back to my rooms, I have to deal with this.” He stalked off, leaving me behind, sure I was missing something important.
It didn’t takeCyrus long to return to his rooms after I made it back, and then we were off again, but to the gardens this time. Princess Zerlina arrived not long after, looking beautiful in a purple and yellow ombré dress that had embroidered flowers down it.
“My Prince.” Princess Zerlina simpered as she curtsied, a broad smile on her face.
“My Princess.” Cyrus replied, bowing as he kissed her offered hand, “You look stunning today. I dare say I’m the luckiest prince in the land.”
Princess Zerlina blushed prettily as she laughed, “Oh, not as lucky as I am. The other ladies are dreadfully jealous, you know.”
“Is that so?” Cyrus asked with a smirk as he offered her his arm. She took it and they began walking along the garden path. I followed behind them, joined by a male with dark skin, light blonde hair, and eyes a shining shade of light green. Princess Zerlina’s human was also forced to tag along.
“Oh, yes.” Zerlina enthused. “You’re one of the most eligible bachelors in Celesterra! My father was thrilled to get your betrothal offer.” She smiled up at Cyrus as they walked, her other hand coming up to lay over his where he’d placed it on her arm.
“And what about you, Princess? Are you thrilled?” Cyrus questioned, raising a brow at her.
“Of course!” She gushed, laughing. “What princess doesn’t hope to be queen one day? To have children of the royal line that can shift. I would hate for my children to not feel the joy of the skies because my husband’s blood diluted mine.”
It was true that while royals could shift into one of the three forms: dragon, pegasus, or phoenix— the further they got from the ruling line, the less likely their children became to inherit the gift, and would instead shift into other, less regal, animals. If a daughter was married off into another family, it was a fifty/fifty shot if the children of that union would have a royal shift animal or not.
I was jealous enough of their ability to fly that I couldn’t even blame Zerlina. What I did blame her for was the inane conversation and flirting I was forced to listen to. I looked at the human who came with Zerlina, and he looked equally bored out of his mind. The gardens weren’t the most stimulating place either. It didn’t escape me that Cyrus brought Zerlina here, the same place he brought me while trying to winmeover. It seemed to be his go-to spot.
Maybe he’d have better success this time.
“Yes, we should go for a flight! I haven’t had the chance to shift for weeks!” Princess Zerlina exclaimed, making me look up in surprise.
Cyrus smiled at her before looking to me, “Asteria, be good while I’m gone.”
I nodded in agreement, watching in awe as Cyrus shifted. I hadn’t seen him shift fully before, only having seen his wings when he flew me back to the palace. It was an incredible sight. Zerlina quickly followed suit, and while Cyrus became a beautiful charcoal colored horse with bright pink feathered wings, Zerlina’s wings were a deep red. The two horses ran their snouts along the others as if in greeting, before they flapped their wings and took off into the sky.
“You need to be careful.” The man beside me warned, surprising me and jolting me out of watching the two pegasus fly.
“What?” I asked, my brows furrowing in confusion.
“The princess is a jealous one.” Zerlina’s human explained. “She doesn’t wish to be second place, not to anyone—nor in any circumstance. She resents that she’s not in line for the throne, that her little brother was chosen despite her being the eldest. And she’s already heard rumors about the prince’sfondnessfor you. I just—” He looked down at me and then back to the sky, worry clouding his peridot eyes, “Just be careful. I know you have no more say than I do in who we serve, and I’ve tried to remind her of that, but it doesn’t make a difference to her.”
Fuck. Of course, Cyrus’s obsession manages to fuck me over in numerous ways. Is it not enough that I’m stuck in this Tartarus damned place with him, now I have to deal with a jealous princess too?
It was the next day that his warning proved helpful, as Princess Zerlina came to dinner in Cyrus’s rooms, I was made to stand on the sidelines and watch. But when Cyrus was called out to dealwith an issue, I blinked, and Zerlina was in my face suddenly. I flinched backwards but she grabbed my arm, her nails digging in painfully.
“I’ve heard of you. Asteria Zagreus, a little human Cyrus acquired at the last Placement Day, correct?” Zerlina cooed as she raised an eyebrow, her sharp features looking even sharper now that the fake, overly bright smile she wore around Cyrus had dropped.
“Yes, Princess.” I replied, nodding. Not wanting to show her an ounce of emotion on my face or in my tone, as her nails dug deep grooves into my arm.
“Let’s get one thing straight.” Zerlina began, her glare fierce. “I do not share. Nor will I be embarrassed by a husband who treats his human like she’s Fae. You will find a way to get dismissed from Cyrus, or you will soon disappear.”
