The Royal Curse

Twenty One - The Book

Zian Austruc

Adonia was in the Entorrean Palace. To think I was doubting myself... I am Zian Austruc: a genius, strategist, and the best that Kandose has to offer other than snowy mountaintops and centuries of appalling history--I meant, stories.

The knock on my apartment door sounded a lot like an insufferable prince's knock. Maybe because it was an insufferable prince. Placing down my bowl of stew that I barely managed to make, I shrugged on my too-long coat with embroidery and opened the door.

"Good evening," Prince Thresan greeted. "May I come in?"

"How do you know where I live?"

"I'm the prince; I know things."

"I'm guessing I don't have much of a choice, then?" I muttered, not tearing away from his rather cocky eye contact.

He gave a tight-lipped smile and stepped in. "Afraid not, though I'm sure you want to hear the latest gossip."

"Should I prepare a kettle of tea, or is this an occasion for cognac?" I said rather dryly, noting how he didn't take off his jacket or shoes. This wouldn't be a long conversation.

He leaned against the kitchen counter, eyeing my apartment. "You decorate nicely," he said, ignoring my quite serious question prior.

He knows. "I should take up interior decorating more if your highness is telling me so."

Thresan grabbed a bottle off cognac off the counter. "May I?"

"I'm pleased you ask me for permission, although we both know you will do it anyway." Before he could take my statement up as a challenge, I yanked the expensive bottle out of his hand and placed it at the far back corner. "I do not drink."

"I know."

He was a sassy one, wasn't he?

"Senna has sent us news. I'm sure you know that Adonia is now at the Entorrean Palace." He crossed his arms. I watched him watch me. The silence between us spoke more. "I know you care about her. You've always cared about her, even when everything was at stake."

"I should not be praised for having an ounce of humanity."

Prince Thresan scoffed and took a firm step toward me. "We both know what happened to your humanity, Zian. We remember."

She doesn't. The only person who I need doesn't remember me. "You have given me nothing. I'm doing fine on my own."

"Until Cadice controls you again and you're left hurting her. Again."

"What do you want from me, Thresan?"

"Kace imprisoned King Lius. The lords of Entorre are voting tomorrow on what to do with him. They're angry. Easy targets."

"We are not hurting anyone."

At that Thresan cocked his head, crossed his arms, and stepped closer, his elbow nearly touching my torso. "I don't think you understand the situation. This is war now."

"We haven't gotten to that point."

"You think that?"