Page 9 of Slaying the Shifter Prince
“Pay?” I hadn’t intended to speak, but the word fell from my lips on a breath.
“He did me a service. Never let it be said the Prince of Monsters is stingy.” Again, that cruel and dazzling smile.
Had Eric told the truth? Was the sake of the troupe why he’d betrayed me? Or was it just for money?
One of the guards opened the door and waited, giving Eric an expectant look.
He glanced at me. At least he had the good fucking grace to appear contrite. “What will happen to her?”
“She was caught red-handed about to murder me. There are witnesses.” The prince nodded at his guards. “They saw her with the blade in her hand, straddling me. Andyoutold me exactly what she had planned.”
Eric took a step towards the fae, but guards caught his arms. “What does that mean?”
“By our laws, it means I, a prince of this realm, may cast summary judgement, and I find herguilty.” He lifted his chin.
“Bring my sword.”
5
Goosebumps flooded my bare flesh as a guard left carrying my dagger, disappearing with the one weapon that could kill the prince.
I pulled against the bindings on my wrists. But he had tied them well.
His claws pricked my shoulder. “Now, now, human. Don’t think you can come intomyhome with an iron blade, try to kill me, and then escape your punishment.” He clicked his tongue as he circled in front of me.
From his great height, he peered down at me. My performance lights gleamed upon his perfect, smooth skin, highlighting the fact he was no human. He might’ve been the statue of a god—a cruel one, with the sneering smirk on his lips. An arrogant one, with the look he gave me.
I gritted my teeth and glared back, hands fisted uselessly. “You bastard.”
But that only made him smile more. “No, murderous little beast, it’s pronouncedmaster.”
The guard who’d left reappeared at his side, head bowing as he held up a large sword, emeralds set in its hilt.
“Good.” A fierce smile showed his teeth as he took the blade. With a casual twist of his wrist, he spun it, as though re-familiarising himself with the weight and balance. It sang through the air—a deadly version of my own dance upon the silks.
As the lights caught its edge, realisation coalesced.
Hands tied, on my knees at his feet—this was my execution.
Something cold unfurled in me. It seized my breaths, making them shallow and fast.
I twisted at the bindings, not ready to give up. But for all that I was stubborn, they were stronger and didn’t shift a hair’s breadth.
“You have been found guilty, Zita of the Gilded Suns.” He seemed to grow even taller, as though regality filled him. “By Elfhame’s laws, your punishment is my choice. Since you were going to take my life,yourlife is forfeit.”
I dug my nails into my palms as a choked sound came from my throat.
It couldn’t end like this. Him alive and me dead athisfeet. That wasn’t how it was supposed to go.
If my hands had been free, I’d have pointed at Eric and cursed him for his betrayal. But I was tied, and he was gone—safe and free, enjoying his gold.
The prince’s canines showed as his smile widened. “I may take your head or claim your life. Which would you prefer, little bird?”
I bared my teeth at him. I wasn’t about to beg for my life.
Had my sister done that?
Hot tears filled my eyes at the injustice. The shame of failure. The sheer fucking unfairness of it all.
