"Prince Kael," the King's voice echoed through the chamber. "How kind of you to finally join us. And you've brought your bride. How... thoughtful."
Kael's hand found mine, squeezing once. Then we walked forward together, our footsteps loud in the silence.
We stopped ten feet from the throne. Kael bowed, a slight, minimal bow that barely counted as respect. I curtsied as low as my injured body would allow.
"Father," Kael said. "You wanted to see us."
"I wanted to see you yesterday. When you were supposed to arrive. Instead, I received reports that your entire convoy was slaughtered and you disappeared into the forest with your new wife." King Aldric leaned forward. "Care to explain?"
"We were attacked by shadow beasts. My guards died protecting us. We survived and made our way here as quickly as possible."
"Shadow beasts."
The King's tone suggested he didn't believe it. "How convenient. And did anyone else witness these beasts?"
"The guards who died fighting them," Kael said flatly. "And my wife."
All eyes turned to me.
"Is this true, Princess?" the King asked. "Did you see these alleged shadow beasts?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Three of them attacked our carriage. They killed the guards and horses. Prince Kael fought them off and saved my life." I kept my voice steady, meeting his gaze. "Without him, I would be dead."
"How fortunate, then, that my son was there to rescue you." King Aldric smiled, but it was a terrible smile. "Though one might wonder why shadow beasts would attack so far from Shadowmere. They're not known to roam that far south.
Unless..." He paused dramatically. "Unless someone with the power to command them was present. Someone cursed. Someone who attracts such creatures."
The implication was clear. He was suggesting Kael had somehow caused the attack himself.
"That's not what happened," I said before Kael could respond. "The beasts were hunting Prince Kael specifically. They ignored me completely. If he could control them, why would they attack him?"
"Perhaps as a cover story. Perhaps to make himself look heroic in your eyes." The King's black eyes fixed on me. "Tell me, Princess, has my son told you about his curse? About what he's capable of?"
"Yes. He's been very honest with me."
"Has he told you about the people who've died around him? The servants who've disappeared? The guards who've gone mad?"
"Father" Kael's voice was tight with anger.
"Has he told you that his own mother threw herself from a tower rather than live with what her son was becoming?"
The courtiers gasped. Whispered to each other. I felt Kael's hand tighten on mine, felt him starting to pull away.
I held on tighter.
"He told me his mother saw something that frightened her," I said clearly, loudly, making sure everyone could hear. "But he was ten years old. A child. Whatever she saw, whatever she feared, that wasn't his fault. You don't blame a child for a curse they didn't choose."
Silence. Complete, absolute silence.
King Aldric's expression didn't change, but something flickered in his eyes. Surprise, maybe. Or calculation.
"You defend him," he said softly. "Why? You barely know him. You were forced into this marriage just as he was. Why not accept my protection instead? I can keep you safe from my son's curse. Give you your own chambers, your own guards. You'd never have to fear him again."
There it was. The offer Kael had warned me about.
Every eye in the room was on me. Waiting. Watching to see what I would choose.
Safety with the King, or danger with the cursed prince.
I took a breath and made my choice.
"Because he's my husband," I said simply. "And I made vows. In my kingdom, we honor our vows." I looked directly at King Aldric. "Besides, Your Majesty, with all due respectI've met your son. And I've met his brothers. And if I had to choose which one frightened me more..." I paused. "It wouldn't be Prince Kael."
Darian's face went red. Theron looked shocked. The courtiers erupted in whispers.
And King Aldric... laughed.
It wasn't a kind laugh. It was sharp and cold and dangerous. But it was genuine.
"Oh, she's perfect," he said, still chuckling. "Absolutely perfect. Kael, where did you find her?"
"I didn't find her. You forced me to marry her, remember?"
"Best decision I've made in years." The King stood, descending from his throne. He was tall, taller than Kael, and moved with predatory grace.
"Princess Elara of Eldoria. You have spirit. I appreciate that." He circled us slowly, like a wolf examining prey. "But spirit alone won't keep you alive in Shadowmere. This is a dangerous place, full of dangerous magic and dangerous people. You'll need more than courage to survive."
"Then I'll learn what I need," I said.
"From whom? My cursed son?" He stopped in front of Kael, looking him up and down with disgust. "What can he teach you except how to attract monsters and spread fear?"
"He can teach me the truth," I said. "About magic, about survival, about this kingdom. He's already started."
"Has he now." King Aldric's smile returned. "And what truths has he shared, I wonder?"
This was a trap. Whatever I said, he would twist it. Use it against us.
"Nothing that concerns you, Father," Kael cut in. "My wife and I are here, as you demanded. We've answered your questions. Are we free to go to our chambers now, or is there more you want from us?"
"Oh, there's always more I want." The King turned away, walking back toward his throne. "But for now, you may go. Rest. Recover. We'll speak again tomorrow."
He paused at the base of the throne, looking back over his shoulder. "Oh, and Kael? I'm assigning guards to your chambers. For your protection, of course. And to make sure you don't... disappear... again."
"Of course," Kael said flatly.
We were dismissed. We turned and walked toward the doors, every step echoing in the vast chamber.
We'd almost made it when the King spoke again.
"Princess Elara?"
I stopped, turned back. "Yes, Your Majesty?"
"My son's curse has killed before. People he cared about. People he tried to protect." His black eyes bored into mine. "Just remember that, when you're lying awake at night, wondering if you're safe. The people closest to him are the ones who die first."
I felt Kael go rigid beside me. Felt the temperature in the room drop as his curse reacted to his fury.
But I just smiled at King Aldric. A sweet, pleasant smile.
"Thank you for the warning, Your Majesty. I'll keep it in mind." I curtsied. "Along with the fact that you sent armed guards to kidnap your son's bride in the middle of the night, and that shadow beasts mysteriously appeared exactly where we were traveling. One might wonder who the real danger is in this castle."
This time, the King didn't laugh.
He just stared at me with those cold, black eyes, and I knew I'd made an enemy.
Good.
I was tired of being afraid. Tired of being powerless.
If I was going to survive in Shadowmere, I needed to learn how to bite back.
And I'd just shown the King of Shadowmere that I had teeth.