Page 37 of Slaying the Shifter Prince
“I suppose with all these workouts, you’re going to want to perform, aren’t you?” Sepher sat up in bed, watching.
But last night’s ceasefire was over. I wouldn’t answer. And I needed to stop thinking of him by his name. He was “the prince” and nothing more.
Belly on the floor, I reached back and gripped my ankles, forming a loop.
“I asked you a question.”
I shot him a look and smirked to say I’d heard him perfectly.
His jaw worked side to side, that muscle twitching.
As I did press-ups, he asked me a couple more questions. I didn’t answer.
At last, he came to the one I’d been waiting for. “Why did you try to kill me?”
I glanced up, one eyebrow raised, as I pushed my arms straight. I would give him a little something this time. A reward for asking the question I most wanted to hear. “I thought you didn’t care.”
“I’m curious.”
I leapt to my feet and, just as I’d hoped, his eyes widened and he leant forward, keen attention on me. He thought I was going to answer.
Instead, I shrugged and stretched, then slunk into the bathroom to wash.
When I emerged, he was fuming, muscles practically vibrating with barely suppressed anger. He stomped into the bathroom, tail swishing. He’d left my outfit, jewellery, and perfume tossed on the bed.
I took my time dressing, smiling to myself. It wasn’t quite the same as sinking an iron dagger between his ribs, but it was as close as I could get right now.
Every day when he bathed, I searched a different part of the room for my blade. I’d been methodical, laying out sectors in my mind, checking one each day. Yesterday, I’d completed the sweep and found no sign. Not that I could blame him for hiding it somewhere else. He was arrogant, not stupid.
My victories would have to remain petty ones for now. I plotted ways to get alone time in other parts of the palace and extend my search.
He swept out of the bathroom, completely naked, dick swinging with each step. It was so sudden, I found myself watching its breathtaking length for a moment before I remembered and tore my eyes away. He must’ve been mightily pissed off, because he didn’t even smirk or make a suggestive joke when he found me staring.
That was my first warning.
My second was his choice of clothing—all black. The prince never wore such sombre tones unless they were paired with a colour. He favoured greens and blues—colours of growth and clear skies. I’d put it down to his affinity with the Dawn Court, but perhaps it was more a reflection of his bright personality.
He was cruel, yes, and arrogant, absolutely. But he laughed a lot and made the others around him laugh even more. He sometimes even smiled with simple pleasure, rather than wickedness. Playful and spontaneous, I could understand how he’d amassed his own court.
But today…
Today he wore black and ordered me to follow.
Wearing unease like a cloak, I hurried after.
We arrived in the bustling dining room for lunch. Celestine took one look at the prince and her eyebrows rose.
Another warning.
Roark greeted him, smile wide, black eyes glinting. Cadan pulled out a chair and went to pour him a drink.
“No.” The prince’s voice echoed through the room with a buzzing quality I hadn’t heard before. It reverberated in every glass and plate, in the tiled floor, and even in the chandeliers overhead. They rang in a discordant chime that set my teeth on edge.
Everyone fell silent.
“My pet is going to serve us today.” With a flick of his tail, he dismissed the servants.
Cadan returned to his seat, brow creased.
