Falling Kingdoms

She glared at him crouched six feet away from her, the knife clutched tightly between her fingers.“Tell me more about this war against Auranos you mentioned. What is your goal?”

“To take your precious land and split it evenly between Paelsia and Limeros. You have too much and we have nothing, and it’s all because of policies your greedy country enacted a century ago. So we’ll take what you have and make it ours.”

“It won’t happen. My father will never back down.”

“Which is why it’s excellent to have his sparkling jewel of a daughter as a bargaining chip. I’m going with Chief Basilius myself for a meeting with your father. We’ll see what he has to say. But perhaps the king doesn’t mind losing one daughter when he already has another who is his official heir. Princess Emilia could have been a better choice—but she’s not in Paelsia. I’m still curious, your highness. Why are you here?”

“None of your business,” the princess hissed.

His brows drew together. “Did I hear you ask your friend to continue searching for a Watcher? What kind of nonsense was that?”

Something dark and unpleasant flashed across her beautiful face. “None of your business,” she said again, then added, “savage.”

Jonas ignored his frustration and held out his hand to her. “Give that dagger to me before you cut yourself.”

She jabbed the weapon in his direction. “I’m not planning to cut myself. But I’m planning to cut you if you come any closer.”

The girl’s tongue was a thousand times more dangerous than any weapon in her possession. He’d be surprised if she’d ever held one before. Still, he watched her carefully. As much as he despised her, the view was quite lovely.

“Enough of this,” he said aloud.

He pounced on her, grabbing her wrists and easily knocking the dagger away. He pushed her back, stretching her arms up over her head, keeping a tight hold of her wrists. He pressed his body down firmly on hers, pinning her in place against the wheel. She looked up at him with both alarm and fury.

“Get off me, you beast! You’re hurting me!”

“If you’re trying to appeal to my compassionate side, you’ll find that I don’t have one when it comes to you.” He adjusted so he had her wrists secured in one hand. The other came down to press against her throat. He stared into her eyes and finally saw a satisfying edge of fear there. She thought he would kill her, despite his earlier promises.

He increased the pressure on her throat and stared down into the face of the girl who’d stood by her fiancé’s side as his brother bled to death.

“Why are you in Paelsia?” he demanded. “Are you here to spy for your father?”

She looked up at him with wide eyes. “Spy? Are you mad?”

“That’s not an answer.”

“No, I’m not here to spy, you fool. That’s ridiculous.”

“Then why? What did you mean when you told your friend to search for a Watcher? Talk,” he growled, bringing his face down only an inch away from her own. Her quickening breath was hot and sweet against his skin. “Or you’ll be very sorry.”

“I’m here for my sister,” she finally said, not breaking eye contact. He couldn’t tell for sure if she was lying.

“Your sister,” he repeated.

“There’s a legend of an exiled Watcher in Paelsia who possesses grape seeds infused with earth magic that have healing powers.”

He rolled his eyes. “You want me to believe you’re literally searching for a Watcher. Do you chase after rainbows as well?”

His mocking earned him a withering look. “If I have to. My sister is horribly ill. She’s dying and no one can help her. So I came against the judgment of my father to find that Watcher and beg for her help.”

Jonas processed this ludicrous story, but one thing rang out above all else. “The heir to the Auranian throne is dying.”

“I’m sure you’re thrilled to hear it.”

“You think so, do you?”

“My pain is your glory. You hold me responsible for your brother’s death, and now you know my sister lies dying in the palace and I’m helpless to save her.” Tears leaked from the corners of her eyes.

He watched her carefully, waiting for a sign of deception.

“You don’t believe me,” she said, despair edging her words. “All you see when you look at me is something evil. But I’m not evil.” She drew in a ragged breath. “I’m not!”

At first glance, she appeared so small and fragile—but the princess possessed a fierce and fiery core that could burn anyone who got too close. Even Jonas felt its heat. It surprised him. She’d surprised him.

“Are you going to say something or are you just going to keep staring at me?” she asked, looking up at him with those wide blue-green eyes.

He got to his feet so fast he nearly retwisted his ankle. Then he yanked her up with him and he didn’t try to be gentle about it. She swayed on her feet, seemingly unable to find her balance for a moment. She was lucky she was only dealing with a bit of dizziness after knocking herself out. It could have been much worse.

Without a word, he grabbed the dagger, shoved it into the leather sheath on his belt. He began to drag the princess back out to the road.

“Where are you taking me?” she demanded, bringing their conversation around full circle.