It wasn't Cael at all.
The Zyranthian woman swept into the room, her movements regal and poised. Cara's flawless features were as breathtaking as Midori remembered, from her high cheekbones to the lush curve of her full hips. Silver eyes regarded Midori with an imperious disdain.
"You . . .” Midori's voice was little more than a strangled whisper. "Who are you?"
The Zyranthian woman's lips curved in a cold smile, sending a shiver down Midori's spine.
"I am Cara. I'm Cael's betrothed."
TWENTY-ONE
Cael followed Bres through the palace corridors, the opulent decor a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him. Bres seemed to revel in his surroundings, greeting the passing guards and servants with a warm smile and boisterous cheer which Cael knew concealed his true nature.
As they approached a set of ornately carved doors, Bres turned to Cael, his face splitting into a wide grin. "I'm sure you'll find these chambers to your liking, nephew. Only the finest for a prince of Zyranth."
Cael said nothing, his jaw clenched as Bres ushered him through the doors into another lavishly appointed room while two of the guards followed close behind. The moment the doors closed behind them, Bres' demeanor shifted, the jovial facade melting away to reveal the cold, calculating uncle Cael remembered.
Bres made a slight motion with his finger, and the two guards moved. Before Cael could react, they seized his arms in a vice-like grip, wrenching them behind his back. He struggled against their hold, but they forced him to his knees with brutal efficiency.
"What is the meaning of this?"
Bres circled him, an amused smirk playing across his features. "Come now. Did you truly believe your little disappearing act would go unpunished? You've caused quite the stir with your petulant defiance."
Cael strained against the guards' grip, his muscles straining. "I am the true heir. You cannot treat me like a common criminal!"
A guard delivered a sharp blow to the back of Cael's head, making his vision swim. "Mind your tongue, boy."
"At first, I thought perhaps you died in deep space," Bres said, his voice low and menacing. "By the time I'm done with you, you'll wish you had."
Cael met his uncle's icy glare, refusing to show any outward sign of the fear gripping his insides. He opened his mouth to respond, but Bres held up a hand, silencing him.
"Don't bother trying to explain yourself," he spat. "I know all about your little escapade with that human whore. Did you think you could evade me forever?"
Cael's hands curled into fists as Bres paced before him like a predator sizing up its prey.
"I should have known you'd never be fit to rule after your father's passing. You're nothing but a spoiled, reckless child."
With each biting insult, Cael felt his anger rising and threatening to boil over. He wanted nothing more than to make his uncle pay for his treachery. But he knew he had to remain calm and bide his time until the right moment presented itself. Cael clenched his jaw, his silver eyes boring into his uncle's. He would not cower before this man any longer.
"You speak of my recklessness?" Cael's deep voice rumbled with barely contained fury. "What of your own misdeeds, uncle? Your despicable partnership with Lord Krissayr and the profiteering from the slave trade?"
Bres' face contorted with rage, his fleshy cheeks flushing a deep purple.
"I know the truth. You've been providing security for Lord Krissayr's slave dealings, all for the sake of lining your pockets with ill-gotten wealth."
Bres opened his mouth, but Cael pressed on.
"What would your own brother think to see you smearing the honor of our family name? To see you dragging the crown through the filth of your greed and depravity?"
For a long moment, Bres said nothing, his chest heaving with indignant breaths. When he finally spoke, his voice was little more than a snarl. "The Council will never believe you. Your baseless accusations will only seal your fate."
Cael felt a surge of reckless defiance course through him. "We'll see about that. I'll expose your lies and corruption to the council—to all of Zyranth, if I must. I won't let you sully my family's legacy with your vile acts."
Bres' lips peeled back in an ugly sneer. "You forget your place, nephew. I am regent now. My word is law on Zyranth. And you …” He leaned in close, his fetid breath hot swept over Cael's face. "You will learn to hold your tongue. Or I'll have it cut out."
Rage boiled in Cael's veins at the injustice, at his uncle's blatant power grab. He thrashed against his captors with renewed vigor. "The Council won't stand for this."
"Silence!" Bres roared, his face twisting into an ugly sneer as he straightened. "The Council believes you've proven yourself unfit to rule, more concerned with your own hedonistic whims than your duty to your people. In fact, there are whispers amongst the Elders that you should be executed for your crimes. But it would be such a waste. Chief Elder Xandar is still hoping to see his daughter, Cara, on the throne someday, and I am looking forward to having Xandar's political sway supporting me as regent for many years to come."
