Blood Royals Bonus Book: Prince Adryan & the Throne

Chapter 14: The Narrow Streets Part 2

Selina's POV
Adryan got his way.

I'm not eager about it because of what will happen if I'm caught. I'll be executed for shooting at the king and his courtier. Adryan promises to protect me but how sure am I he will keep me from death? If it comes down to his father or me, who will he really pick? I despise my father's methods, but I'll never allow any harm to come to him. I believe Adryan loves his father. He may not admit it but the planned  execution hurt his feelings. Sometimes I catch him looking into the distance completely sad.

"Are you ready to behave?" He asked me.

My trip to Cray Thera wasn't willful. He and Keli ambushed me, bound me and carried me here.

"Why don't you untie me and find out?"

He tilted his head. "I want to do that. But something tells me you'll cause trouble so I'm holding back."

"I told you that I did not want to come back here! Saine Neane is a different story. I agreed to that! Not here! You lied to me!"

"The course changed. I'm sorry." He has a serious The expression on his handsome face. "My mother is getting executed today."

I paid full attention. "Adryan... what will you do?"

"I'm going to save her. We need to talk about the plan. You seem sensible. I want you to hear it out."

"Untie me. I'm numb."

He used his knife to cut the rope. Instead of punching him like I had planned, I remained still. He moved closer to me. "I want to save her. The plan is for Keli to switch places with the executioner. He's usually masked. No one will know."

"How will you get the executioner to agree?"

"That's where you come in. He likes to drink on the morning of the execution. I need you to lure him to a brothel. The women there will take care of it."

I narrowed my eyes at him. "I suppose you know these women at the brothel."

"I do."

"You have really been around, haven't you?"

"Haven't you?" He asked me.

What would give him that idea?

"Done. I'll do it. Then what? How will you know it's done?"

"Keli will shadow you. We rendezvous here after you're done. Keep your head down Selina. You are a wanted woman."

"I'll keep my head down."

"Get cleaned up. You leave in a few minutes."

"Adryan." I took his hand. My palm felt his for the moment we held eye contact. "Take care of yourself. I'd like to keep seeing your scruffy face."

He chuckled and released my hand.

When Keli came in with the clean clothes, I palmed his nose.

"What the hell Selina!"

"That is for abducting me!" I snatched the clothes from his hand.

Adryan's POV
Executions happen at dusk, in the city square. It's the heart of the Sanctum, where the subjects of Cray Thera gather to observe the consequences of breaking laws.

From an early age, father made us watch. He said we need to see what will happen if we break laws. It did not deter me from being his most unruly child. It does not deter me from adding to my treasonous charges. This is not how my mother will die.

The king is in his place. Beside him, the crown prince. The princess is veiled in dark clothing. I'm considering taking her with me. She will be happy to get away from father and she can be my hostage too. I won't hurt her but I'll make her father believe otherwise.