I force the memories away. Not important right now.
“Sire, what’s happened?” Kennix approaches my side. He’s not hiding his demonic features like he was at the ball. Two sharp ram-like horns twist through his hair, their gold sheen glinting in the light of the throne room.
It’s then I notice that no one here aside from me is hiding their true forms. The nobility of the demon court seem to be enjoying scaring the poor girl. They show off grins with their too-sharp teeth as her panicked gaze flicks between them.
“Hide your true forms,” I snarl. “I will not have you frightening our guest.”
Their grins vanish, along with their horns, wings, or anything inhuman. A very confused but now human-looking court blinks back at me.
“Sire?” Kennix presses. “What is going on?”
“I could ask the same question…” I scowl. My mind must’ve wandered while we were conjuring the lure for Elheart’s bride. There’s no way thatshe’sthe princess he paid for. It’s not possible.
“What is your name, girl?” I call out to her.
“I’m not a girl, I’m a princess.” She stands up, straightening her skirt. “And my name is Dahlia. But surely you knew that already, just like you know my fatherKing Solwill be furious to hear that I’ve been kidnapped by a bunch of…” she shudders, glancing around, “beasts! And if you don’t let me go right now, you’ll all be dead this time tomorrow.”
My court buzzes with laughter. I hold up my palm to silence them. It’s almost cute the way her lower lip trembles. She’s terrified, but thinks she can hide it if she puffs out her chest and raises her voice.Oh, sweetheart.
A smile edges over my jaw. “You’re lying to me.” I step closer until she has to tip her head back to meet my gaze. “You’re no princess. Definitely not one of Sol’s.”
I’ve heard the stories of Sol’s twelve virgin daughters, and of course I remember the ball. The princesses were all dressed in matching gold modest gowns. The gown this woman was wearing was far from modest. And the way she kissed me was far from virginal.
“I am a princess,” she snarls. “And my name is Dahlia.”
“We’ll see,” I murmur. Magic curls up my throat as my court whispers in anticipation. “Kneel.”
The girl drops to the floor. “What is this?” she squeaks, her legs locked in a kneeling position beneath her.
“Compulsion.” I grin. “My magic allows me to control lesser beings such as yourself.”
She scowls. “You’re an ars?—”
“Silence,” I say. Her lips snap shut, and her pretty face flushes with anger. It’s so sweet I almost forget why we’re here. Almost.
“Now.” I stroke her cheek, tipping her face up. She winces, but can’t flinch away under the spell of my compulsion. “Tell me your real name, and perhaps we can begin to enjoy our night together. I can find you a nice suite to rest in, fresh clothes to replace your gown. I can even bring you a hot meal if you’re hungry.” Once this is all sorted and I have Elheart’s real bride on her way, I’ll still keep this one to play with for a while. Liar or not, she started something at the ball. Something I’m not ready to finish just yet.
“I told you already. My name is Princess Dahlia.” The woman frowns. “And my familywillcome for me.”
“Speak the truth,” I compel her, gripping her jaw. “What is your name?”
“Princess Dahlia.”
My chest constricts. She’s one of the twelve? Taking a breath, I steady myself. “You’re Lord Elheart’s bride?”
“Supposed to be,” she grumbles. “But I was handling the situation, and I was very close to escaping! Until you came along and brought me here… That horse was a nasty trick! You made him look just like one of mine.”
“It was an enchantment,” I tell her, anger simmering inside me. “It was conjured to look like whatever would get you out of the inn.”
Of all the women at the ball, he had to choose this one…
“We should alert the advisers of her arrival,” Kennix says over my shoulder.
“Yes.” Stepping back, I remove the compulsion holding the woman in place –holding Princess Dahlia in place. How Sol was able to produce a creature so beautiful is beyond me.
“Escort her to my chambers,” I bark at my guards. “Ensure she is unharmed and that there are guards posted outside.”
“Is it wise for her to stay with you?” Kennix’s voice buzzes in my ear. “Elheart may be more likely to cooperate if he knows she is untouched. As a princess, her virtue is valuable, and there are many free cells in the dungeon?—”
