He stepped back, smoothing his robes as he regained his composure. "No, I will not allow your incompetence to jeopardize my plans any further. You'll remain confined here until the binding ceremony takes place. Tomorrow. After you're legally linked to Cara, I'll find some useful employment to keep you out of trouble."
The words struck Cael like a blow to the gut.A binding ceremony? Tomorrow?
"I will never agree to this farce," Cael growled through gritted teeth. "I'll fight you at every step."
Bres laughed. "And what do you suppose will happen to your human pet if you do? Perhaps I'll delay her return to Lord Krissayr while my guards play with her. After watching a dozen of them handle your new toy, you may find yourself more acquiescent."
With a final disdainful look over his shoulder, Bres strode from the room. The guards threw Cael to the floor and followed, locking the doors behind them. With his uncle's threat hanging in the air, Cael remained motionless, his heart thundering in his ears as the weight of his situation hit him.
He was well and truly trapped.
Cael pacedthe confines of his lavish prison cell, his mind racing. He had to find a way out. He had to save Midori. His gaze swept over the ornate furnishings, searching for anything he could use to aid his escape.
The doors and windows were secured no doubt, the walls too thick and sturdy to break through. He considered the heavy wooden chairs, testing their weight in his hands. Strong enough to serve as a battering ram perhaps, but the noise would drawunwanted attention. No doubt his uncle had several guards stationed at his door.
His thoughts turned to Midori, and his heart clenched with worry. Cael knew his uncle would carry out his threats and harm her to make him comply. The thought made his blood burn. Cael's mind was a whirlwind of regret and uncertainty. How could he have been so foolish as to return to Zyranth before ensuring Midori's safety? He should have smuggled her off-world, far from the reaches of his corrupt uncle.
But in his haste to uncover the truth and regain his rightful place, he had endangered the one person he loved with all his heart. The memory of Midori's smile, the musical lilt of her laughter, made him ache with worry over what horrors she might be facing.
Bres' vicious threat still rang in his ears, igniting a simmering rage within Cael's core. If any harm befell Midori because of his mistakes . . . He clenched his fists, the tattoos rippling across his forearms as his muscles tightened. No, he refused to entertain such thoughts. He would escape this gilded cage and rescue her, no matter what it took.
His mind turned to Baelor, the revelation of his friend's apparent betrayal leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. Did Baelor alert Bres of their return? The confusion on his face when the regent met them at the docking bay seemed too genuine to be an act. But then, Baelor convinced him he was a hardened commander only following orders just a few days ago.
Cael slammed a fist against the wall in frustration, the impact stinging his flesh. He had to know the truth, had to find out if Baelor had played him false all along. Because if not, it meant there was still an ally to be leveraged in his fight against Bres' tyranny. Maybe he could smuggle Midori off-world to some place safe.
So many uncertainties swirled through Cael's turbulent thoughts as he struggled to formulate a plan. Who could he trust within the palace walls? Beyond Baelor's possible allegiance, there were still far too many missing pieces to the puzzle of his uncle's corruption. Cael knew he would need solid proof to display before the Council of Elders—if they would even allow him to present it. He needed undeniable evidence to strip away Bres' façade of legitimacy.
A sudden knock at the door snapped Cael from his dark thoughts. He tensed, moving to a defensive stance as the lock cycled open with a heavy thunk. The door swung inward, and Cael's eyes widened in surprise.
It was Cara.
The raven-haired woman swept into the chamber, her bearing as regal and elegant as ever. She moved with a purposeful grace, her jewel-toned robes swirling about her ankles.
"You," Cael growled, his eyes narrowing. "What are you doing here?"
Cara regarded him with one delicate eyebrow arching upward. "Is that any way to greet your betrothed, my prince?"
Cael bristled at her mocking tone. "I want no part of whatever game you and my uncle are playing, Cara. If you're here to taunt me?—"
"Peace, Cael," she replied, holding up a slender hand. "I am not your enemy here."
He searched her face, looking for any hint of deception. Finding none, he relaxed his stance, though his eyes remained narrowed with suspicion.
"Then why are you here? If Bres discovers you speaking with me . . .”
"He will think I'm discussing details with my betrothed, nothing more. Besides, we have much to speak about. Your uncle has just informed me our union is to take place tomorrow."
Cael eyed Cara, his jaw tightening. "If you think I'll go along with this farce of a binding ceremony, you're mistaken."
Cara held his gaze. "And what choice do you have, my prince? Your uncle holds all the power now. If you refuse, he will make good on his threats against the human woman."
A muscle jumped in Cael's cheek at the reminder of Bres' cruel words. He opened his mouth to protest, but Cara raised a hand.
"Peace, Cael. I did not come here to trade barbs. I may be the only ally you have left within these palace walls."
Cael scoffed at that. "An ally? Your father has been scheming with my uncle from the start to secure this arranged union. What reason could you possibly have to help me?"
A ghost of a smile tugged at the corners of Cara's full lips. "You know so little of me, Cael. I want what is best for Zyranth, same as you. And I know your uncle's reign will only lead our world down a path of ruin." She paused for a moment and continued, "Perhaps you have not considered the fact that I have no desire to bind myself to you, either."
