mir'

at a juncture on the cloth map spread on an oaken table in the meeting room. "Orvyn and his men w

al location of the five houses in the realm. "To catch a dog, you throw a bone. To catch a fish, hook a worm, and to catch

e of my strongest gammas furrowed. "Wha

. He cannot forget how I snapped the head of his father to take claim this throne. I'll never f

of a cliff, Sir. May we know wh

," I turned slowly to face them, lifting a fist to my face.

ian directed. "Send me, Sire." He fell on on

of Flywater. But, the very day I set my eyes on you, I knew you were the son I never had; the son I'd always wanted." I gripped his shoulder, looking into his boyish face. "I cannot send you, Drustian. I need

s popped as he struggled for the right words. "Y_

omping through the hallway. From the marching

s, it

, fuming through his nostrils,

the air as if I was pleased by the fool's intrusion. "What a pleasant

of, the men cooperated, q

of soup. "It's a fucking week already, Kazamir! Th

this did it to shame me. I promise you that when they're caught, they shal

t, there's no sign of the princess, nor of the men who captured her. W

e already shifting on their feet, waiting for my command to tear them apart. "We're doing all we can to f

craved her freedom, away from my protection behind the castle walls. Everyday, I tried to remind her that

r to let her out of their sights. On the contrary, the good-for-nothing maids chose to ignore my warning.

s enough reason to hatch one of her dangerous p

! I spoilt

the damage she'd caused. Why

to a gilded fool drag my reputa

. Where's my bride?" Cassian's vo

aid my enemies struck at the nick of time. Word must have gone out that my daug

n a fit. "I do not have all the patience in the world. Th

assian. "You'll mind your tone with my Alpha." H

with Drustian. He was just as tall as Drustian with a spot-on military physique to his credit.

. "The both of you will not disrespect us any fur

s, let alone talk back to me in the manner Cassian did. If the ci

now. N

I gestured to Drustian to stand down. "I assure you that my best men are searchi

his time," he said, a bit pacified. "Because

his shoulder, leading him out of the meeting room through the open door. "Women? How

t want no woman. Ol

i

company the best women of Vagamor. Do not delay." He lowered

n, seeing he fell face-down

await my bride till her safe return. I shou

offering from me, pending the return of my daughter, yo

hroaty ugly laughter that made my skin crawl. "Send

all brain out of his large skull. "You haven't tasted the women of Vaga

urned to the enforcer who had earlier challenged Drustian. "Come, let us make merry. Tonig

knowledge his master with a slight bow. Something to

od soldier, fi

hambers. "Send a flagon of wine for the ladies, Kazamir." Cassi

to you in that way.' Drustian tensed beside me, speaking through the link. 'G

atience.' I calmed. 'Y

Cassian's demand. "Very well friend. The wine and the

with gold rings befor

y front, eyes wide open in shoc

w, we have to play the fool to get what we want." I tore my gaze away from the clo