A stupid prisoner.
I should’ve taken Girabalt’s offer of help when I had the chance.
The creak of the double doors makes my chin lift. A stocky human marches in, a brilliant gold and blue tabard decorating his chest. In his aged hands, he carries a scroll, which he unfurls once he reaches our end of the carpet.
I don’t listen to his introductions as he greets Tauren. I can’t. Because I’m too busy watching the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen saunter up beside him.
Long dreamy curls, the colour of sunrays, cascade down her shoulders. A cream-coloured lace gown teases her figure, cinching her in all the right places and showing off just enough sun-kissed skin to make any sane prince forget his own name.
My eyes narrow as a bitter taste fills my mouth.
I know girls who’d kill for a body like hers. Me being one of them. Judging by her smug grin as she looks down her perfect nose at me, she knows exactly how jealous I am.
“Lord Elheart has received your wedding invitation and expresses his profound disappointment.” The messenger’s nasally voice forces my attention away. “However, in a display of his considerable generosity, he offers you a new trade.” He gestures to Miss Perfect beside him. “In return for Princess Dahlia, he offers his finest whore.”
My lips pop open as she bows. Keeping her chin high, she gives everyone a good look at exactly why she’s been named as his ‘finest whore’.
I almost roll my eyes. If her breasts were anymore ridiculously huge she’d topple over.
Still, I can’t bring myself to look at Tauren. The thought of him lusting over her like every other demon in this hall makes me queasy.
At least they’re not staring at me anymore.
“He hopes that Lady Urma will satisfy you enough to consider returning Princess Dahlia to her rightful place at her true betrothed’s palace.” My stomach sinks at his words. “He sends his regards and hopes Dahlia will be with him by the morning. He also encourages you not to disappoint him again.” The messenger rolls up his scroll as Lady Urma finally rises from her bow.
“Elheart thinks he can replace what he stole from me with a common whore.” Tauren’s tone makes my blood freeze.
Urma frowns, and the messenger twists his fingers around his scroll. “I think you’ll find that Lady Urma is an exceptionally talented lover?—”
“He believes he can replace our Maeve with a WHORE!” Tauren shoots up from his chair. Snarls fill the hall, his court’s vicious shouts attacking the pair from every direction. Even the guards behind his throne are growling.
I don’t have a chance to think about why they’re so upset, who this Maeve is. Fear shudders through me. No. Not fear. It’s something powerful enough to make the dais tremble.
Demon magic.
“D-do something!” sputters the messenger to Urma. “Pleasehim.”
She takes a hesitant step onto the dais, and Tauren snarls, “Touch me and I’ll slice you open, whore.” His magic slams into her.
I can’t help but scream.
Her body is flung backwards, landing against the messenger in a mess of flailing limbs, while demons cheer.
I cover my open mouth.
“Tell your lord that hisgenerousoffer insults me,” Tauren roars at the pair. I gasp as his hand grabs my arm, pulling me up. Panicking, I thrash against him, but he holds me firm. “The only way his bride will be released is if he accepts thegeneroustrade that I offered to him.”
The demons roar in agreement.
As Lady Urma struggles to her feet, the paleness on my face matches hers. Any smugness she may have shown before is long gone now, replaced with something that makes tears blur my vision.
Pity.
Tauren drags me towards his throne and sits down, forcing me into his lap. One of his arms curls around my thigh while the other wraps around my hair, pulling my head back.
I yelp.
“I haven’t taken her virtue yet,” he growls to Lady Urma and the messenger. “But I will soon enough, after I marry her myself.” Warmth seeps through his shirt, but it’s not enough to stop me shivering. With his hand forcing my thighs apart, all I can think about is how little fabric is covering my sex and how my hardened nipples are on display for everyone to see.
