The Royal Curse

Five - The Greater Depths

Senna Aldorban

Kace had his chin propped on his hand as he stared out the passing scenery. How I wished I could just shove him out the carriage after the stunt he pulled today.

"Quit looking at me," he muttered, not bothering to glance back at me.

"I'll look wherever I want to look," I stated. Shifting my body to the other end of the carriage, I added, "Kace."

"It's Prince Kace."

"Don't care."

"You should."

I scoffed and dug my heels on the ground. Men rarely annoyed me, but this man was an entirely different topic. "Just tell me what's going on and I'll leave you alone and never follow you around again."

"We both know you'd somehow find a way to leech," Kace said.

Groaning, I stared out my window and watched the Entorreans walk throughout the streets wearing black and gold. Women with their scepters and men with the red tones in their clothes. Peering behind me at Kace, I caught him slowly shut his blinds and lean back in his seat.

"The Prince of Entorre not wearing Saints' Day colors? Unheard of," I muttered and crossed my arms.

Kace raked his eyes over my body and rolled his eyes.

I defiantly crossed my arms. "What? Am I wrong?"

"No. But it's not like you're wearing Saints' Day colors," he pointed out. "If you want I can get you some."

Shaking my head, I said, "No, thank you. I don't believe in worshipping the Saints."

"Ah, yes. Damal, right?"

So Kace was capable of being somewhat educated. Shocker, really. Someone pinch me. "Yes."

He nodded, then turned his head and got quiet. I knew if I started talking now he would tell me to shut my mouth, but honestly, I didn't care too much about it. "Do you have a prayer room in the Palace?" I asked.

Kace grinned and tilted his neck. "No."

"What? But I thought this was a conservative country."

"Conservative for the people who believe in our religion. Other religions don't have a room in our Palace. I mean, why would we?"

"Because..." Because why? Not every country had to be religiously tolerant. Especially not a country that housed Kace.

Prince Kace sat up straight and shook off a piece of hair that fell over his eye. "I suggest you don't talk about other religions inside the Palace."

My fist tightened as I retorted, "Just because you are an ass doesn't mean I need to hide my beliefs from you."

Kace snorted and adjusted himself to face me. "I couldn't care less what you tell me. In fact, tell me anything, Princess Senna."

"You aren't making any sense."

"I'm making perfect sense. Do not say a single word in the Palace about your different beliefs. As far as you are concerned, you will follow my orders and do as I say."