I darted a quick glance around, searching for an escape. But Reizon’s people appeared from the bushes, coming closer to surround us.
My heart thudded frantically. I knew Reizon and his army were in the Wetlands, but I didn’t expect for him to find me.
“Ikilled the boar,” I bristled at his audacity. “Meandmy dog. I don’t need you to save me from anything,”
He scoffed, throwing his hands up dramatically. “As usual, there is no gratitude from you. What could I expect? After everything I’ve done for you, you cruelly stabbed me through my loving heart and left me to die.”
“Sadly, I missed your heart by quite a bit,” I snapped. “Or you wouldn’t be standing here right now.”
He flinched, rubbing his right shoulder where the wound from my dagger must’ve healed well enough for him to use the bow and arrow now.
“Oh, my cruel, cold-hearted princess,” he bemoaned. “I’ve come all this way, searching for you.”
“You shouldn’t have. In fact, I’d be very grateful if you just left me alone.” I tried to keep my voice steady, hiding both my fear and my anger.
As usual, he paid no attention to my words or my wishes.
“You have no idea what I went through, looking for you, Khala, thinking you might’ve been eaten by some swamp creature or killed by one of the savages living in these lands. And how do I finally find you?” He squinted at me, running a long, assessing gaze down my body. “By gods, what are you wearing? Is that a wool dress?”
“My clothes are none of your business.” Clutching my bow in one hand, I smoothed the skirt of my dress with the other.
Reizon paused his gaze on the green ribbon in my hair.
“You would never wear anything so tacky in my palace.” he smirked. “And is that a hunting bow you have? Is the orc forcing you to provide for yourself?”
Blood ran cold in my veins. How did he know about Grat?
“How did you find me? What have you done to Grat?” I already feared the answer.
Reizon’s handsome features crumbled into a grimace, as if he’d bitten into a lemon at the sound of Grat’s name.
“Grat,” he repeated, squeezing the syllable through his teeth. “What a repulsive name, and it suits him so perfectly.”
“If you did something to him…” I seethed. “If you hurt him in any way, Reizon, run. Leave here and never come back. Because Grat’s clan will never forgive you. I will never forgive you either.”
I clutched my bow so hard, my hand cramped. But the bow was of no use when Reizon came so close to me, I could feel his breath on my face.
“Don’t tell me you care about that ugly orc, Princess,” he hissed. “About that animal.”
My blood boiled from indignation for Grat.
“That ‘ugly orc’ is ten times more of a man than you could ever be,” I retorted.
He blinked, looking momentarily stunned.
“Are you…fucking him, Khala? Do you actually prefer a green cock?” He curved his lips in disgust, then raised his hands quickly. “No. Don’t tell me. I don’t want to know. You’ll make me sick. I fear I may throw up just at the thought of you getting naked for him.”
I itched to throw in his face how much I loved getting naked for Grat, but a small desperate hope that I could still reason with him somehow lingered inside me and if so, it wouldn’t be wise to antagonize him.
With a hard swallow, Reizon seemed to be trying to collect himself too. He assumed his usual haughty expression.
“I forgive you,” he declared, returning to his pompous tone. “Out of my great love for you, I’m willing to overlook your betrayal and even your infidelity.” He spoke loud enough for all his guards to hear him. “I just want my wife back. I thought the orc stole you. I came here to liberate you, Your Highness. I heard you scream in anguish?—”
“I screamed in triumph, Reizon. I got a boar, I successfully defended myself, and I celebrated with a cheer. I wasn’t callingfor help. I don’t need to be rescued. I’m happy here, just the way I am.”
He flinched, tossing another disgusted look at my clothes. “You can’t possibly be happy living like this. How can a princess choose a swamp over a palace?”
“The choice is easy. I’m choosing freedom over a cage. I’m staying. The best you can do now is leave.”
