𝑩𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒐𝒍𝒅

chapter ten

Zander

The ballroom doors creaked open, pulling my attention away from the man introducing his daughter to us. The chatter of the room turned into gasps as an enormous feline appeared at the top of the grand staircase. The guards were quick on their feet as they pulled out their swords, taking shaky steps toward the stairs.

Drakkar sent me a side jab as he made his way toward the stairs, but just like everyone in the room, he froze as someone appeared behind the tiger. My eyes zeroed in on the girl who had just walked to his side, a smile gracing her features as she looked around the room. Who was she? Even from a distance, I could tell she was good-looking. Her long golden locks were braided messily, and a few strands of hair were hanging loosely on her shoulder. The loose white dress flowing down the length of her small body radiated innocence, and my pants tightened as I started to imagine what I would do to her.

I couldn't see her that well from where I was, but I had seen enough to know that I wanted her. A thought that popped into my mind made my grip tighten around my dagger as I realized she was probably someone's wife. She couldn't be.

A movement from my right made me look at both my brothers, who were staring at the girl with intensity and desire. My eyes narrowed on all the men also looking at her with that same lust. I wanted to kill them all, she would be mine.

"Emriana?" A male voice called, and my eyes searched the crowd. Her name was oddly familiar. Who the fuck was she?

My jaw clenched as one of our guards ran up the grand staircase. The girl clearly recognized him as her smile widened. He grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room. Was she married to some low-life guard? I gripped the handle of my dagger as I started walking toward him, but Drakkar yanked me back by the arm. I swung my dagger to his chest, but Zeke caught my wrist, cursing me.

"Calm the fuck down, Zander," Drakkar gritted through his teeth, and I yanked myself away from them.

"Don't fucking tell me what to do!" I snapped, making a few guests move away from me.

"Get your shit together, Zander," Zeke grunted under his breath, not wanting to make a scene. The King wouldn't be pleased.

The door closed once again, and the music started again. Everybody started talking about what had just happened, and I glanced at the Queen muttering something to her ladies-in-waiting. A few noblemen near us discussed the mystery girl, and I wanted to slit their throats. I would get to her first.

Zeke threw his glass toward the men talking, and they jumped in surprised. The drink spilled over their uniforms, shattering on the ground. Eyes turned our way, but Zeke shrugged with a cocky smirk.

"Oops," he said, raising his hand for the servant. He turned to face us, pushing the man away from us as he tried to sell out his daughter. The man frowned but left us alone, his daughter whining as he pulled her away.

"It's safe to say that we found our replacement for the girl this morning," Drakkar smirked, sipping his wine while I twisted my dagger around. Zeke chuckled.

"What if she's married?"

"Has that ever stopped us before?" Drakkar replied, glancing around the room, and motioning for someone.

"Yes, your Highness?" The guard asked.

"Find that girl from earlier and bring her to us," he said, and the guard bowed before running out of the room.

The ball continued, and people danced around while I stayed off to the side. I never spoke to anyone, ignoring everyone talking to me. Drakkar and Zeke talked a bit more. Zeke spent most of the time recruiting girls for his whore collection.