“Prince of what?” the man sneered. “Spoiled rags and rats?”
Basically. “Prince of Tearmann.”
That got his attention. His jaw hinged like a fish gasping on shore.
“Now, if you’d be so kind as to let your king know I’m waiting, that would be brilliant. Or I could always tell him myself?” I raised a brow, knowing damn well this man wouldn’t let me get within spitting distance of their precious king.
“No, no. I will give him the news.” He spun on his heel, his robes fluttering behind as he sprinted as fast as his short legs would carry him back through the doors.
“Are you really a prince?” Mitchell asked under his breath, his eyes wide as saucers as he adjusted his hold on the iron chain.
“I am many things. A prince happens to be one of them.”
The steadythump thump thumpof boots echoed up the hallway. Sounded like a lot of soldiers moving quickly. Finally, someone showing me the respect I deserved. Not that I didn’t appreciate the ease of being escorted by one lowly guard, but I had been a bit disappointed that my reputation hadn’t earned me a whole battalion.
Soldiers flooded into the hallway, two at a time, swords drawn and eyes narrowed, their coats the color of fresh blood.
I smiled in greeting while my escort’s throat bobbed. I counted twenty so far. This was far more impressive.
The closest man had a bunch of medals pinned to his coat. He tried to take the chain from my guard, but that just wouldn’t do. I’d convinced Mitchell to bargain with me but doubted this one would be as easily swayed. “He stays,” I insisted.
Mitchell darted a glance my way, his brows lifted.
“I am the captain here,” Mr. Shiny Pins countered. “I’ll be the one giving orders.”
What was it about being called “captain” that automatically made a man an arrogant little prick? “I said the lad stays.” He and I had a bargain to fulfil, and the last thing I wanted was these upstarts thinking they could bring be back to the dungeon without saying my piece.
The doors swung open, revealing an airy great room decorated in reds and golds. I never liked the colors much, but at least their tapestries didn’t depict the Phantom Queen decapitating humans or banshees escorting souls to the Underworld.
The guards surrounded me on all sides, with Captain Shiny Pins leading us down a red stretch of carpet between courtiers in fine clothes. Say what you wanted about this shite island, but they certainly knew how to sew a frock. I saw more than a few waistcoats I’d have traded my soul for. If only I wasn’t in a hurry to return to Tearmann. I could spend a great deal in the shops here.
Gold dripped everywhere, from the tops of columns to the sconces on the wall to the chandeliers and crown molding. What a joy it must be, ruling three islands from this golden castle atop a golden throne, sending minions out to do your bidding. Never having to set a foot outside. Not worrying about the land being consumed or the people destroyed.
A man sat on the throne, younger than I’d imagined. Fitter as well. For some reason, I had expected him to be round as a barrel. Speaking of rounded barrels, the flaxen-haired beauty on a smaller throne pressed a hand to her bulbous stomach. Looked like they were expecting another generation to take the island into the next century.
We stopped at the foot of the dais, and my escorts parted slightly, allowing me to step to the front of the crowd.
The king’s brows slowly rose as we traded stares. “Your reputation precedes you, Prince Rían,” he said after looking his fill.
“Brilliant. I hate lengthy introductions.” No sense mucking about. Everyone in the room sucked in a collective gasp. “Where is King Brosnan?”
“My father passed a fortnight ago.”
I bowed my head and said, “My condolences.” I meant,Good riddance. Hopefully this new king would be more sympathetic to the Danú’s plight.
“I remember Father telling me stories of meeting your brother, Prince Tadhg.”
Lucky him. Unfortunately for the new king, he got to meet with me.
“You asked to see me. Why?”
“First off, I was wrongfully imprisoned in your dungeon.”
His light brows arched toward the golden crown on his head. Tadhg’s was bigger. “Is that so? From what I’ve been told, you have murdered countless Airren citizens. I don’t know how you do things in Tearmann, but in Airren, murder is a capital offense.”
The men and women gawking by the bay windows tittered, like speaking of death was the most delightful of subjects. Eejits. The lot of them.
“Those I’ve murdered were guilty of breaking Airren law. I did you a favor.”