“You’re awake,” a smug voice said. “I was wondering if the last dose was too much.”
Dose of what? Paul neared Amos’ cage and leaned over with a cruel smile. “If only your father could see his golden prince now.”
Golden prince? Amos would have scoffed if he had enough moisture in his mouth. “You can tell him about it yourself,” he croaked instead.
Paul’s face darkened, but his smile stayed. “Even caged like an animal, covered in your own excrement, you’re still an arrogant prick.” That explained the smell.
Amos grinned, his dry lips cracking with the effort. “My mate is going to kill you.”
Paul gestured for someone to join him. “Have you metmymate?”
Only royals had mates, and the only other people who said they had them were children playing make-believe. The man had lost it.
Jennifer stepped into view with a cruel smirk of her own. “Hello, Amos.”
“My mate will kill you too.” Amos wished Clover could have seen the fear flash across Jennifer’s face.
“Clover is too busy fighting off our men,” she said as though reporting on the weather. “Dragon Village has probably burned to ashes by now.” She tilted her head to look at Paul. “Right, darling?”
“That’s right, darling,” Paul crooned.
Amos could only see them out of his peripheral vision, but even from here, he could see through Paul’s doting facade. Why would he pretend to want Jennifer? Just to get at Amos?
“Darling?” Amos mocked, then flew into a coughing fit.
“That’s right.” Jennifer rested her head on Paul’s shoulder. “While you hid me away at the palace, Paul saw me.”
Amos tried not to laugh. He knew why Paul went after Jennifer to begin with, but why did he stay with her?
“Will you invite me to the wedding?” Amos asked. He would have smiled again but his lips throbbed.
“Load him up,” Paul snapped, cutting off Jennifer’s reply. “Take him to the stage in front of the palace.”
“Is your wedding now?” Amos taunted. “I would have dressed better if I’d known.”
Paul’s dead eyes landed on Amos. “It’s your execution.”
Amos sighed dramatically. “Now I really wish I’d have dressed better.”
Paul spat on Amos and walked away, dragging Jennifer with him.
Amos closed his eyes. The others wouldn’t get here in time.
“Roland?”
“Did you find out more?”
“Tell Clover I love her.”
“Amos, what did you find out?”
“Nothing. I can feel her fury, and she knows I like it when she’s mad. Just tell her for me.”
A long pause.“I will. Stay alive until we get there.”
“I’ll do my best.”
A group of men hoisted the cage into the air and rested it on their shoulders.
