The Serpent's Chains

Chapter 35: Unraveling

Sabine

Prince Cole sighed and paced back in forth next to the pond. He looked at me several times, shook his head, and resumed his pacing.

The tension that bound and knotted his muscles since the moment King Talis appeared hadn't abated.

I kept my hands clasped behind my back and waited for an order. I'd done what he asked but he still seemed irritated.

"Has my father talked to you about magic before?"

"S-Sire?"

My words faltered and I swallowed quickly. I wouldn't be able to lie about the king's visit if this line of questioning continued.

"You know how I feel about repeating myself. Do you really not understand the question?" He stopped pacing and narrowed his eyes at me.

"I understand, Your Majesty. It surprised me..." I had to tell him something but I didn't know how he'd react to finding out the king came to see me personally. "At the Solstice Dance, he was surprised to discover I was a magical slave." I fingered the collar around my neck.

"Yes, I suspected that's what he was interested in." He scoffed and kept pacing.

"Actually..."

The prince's eyes shot to my face and both eyebrows raised. "Well?"

"He seemed more concerned with the status of your personal life, if you take my meaning, Sire." I bowed my head to him.

The prince grunted and I saw him shake his head from the corner of my eye. "That's not surprising. Did he ask you to spy on me?"

"No."

"I'm sure the collar distracted him."

I thought back to that night. The king had been intent on discussing Prince Cole until he noticed my collar. That's when the conversation changed. The prince was right.

"Is that the only time he's ever spoken to you about magic?"

"I... well..." I hooked my hand around the back of my neck and chewed my lower lip.

"Sabine, answer me!" Prince Cole growled and advanced toward me.

"Yes! He came to see me while you were in Stivalia."

My words stopped the prince in his tracks. He seemed to deflate a little. The anger that swelled in his eyes dimmed to almost nothing.

"He came to see you?"

I nodded. "The king visited me in my quarters."

"Sly old fox..." His words were more for himself. "Tell me, how did that conversation go?"

I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. If I was somehow a point of contention between the prince and the king, Prince Cole might decide I wasn't worth keeping around anymore. If he decided to sell me, my magic wouldn't be my most desired quality anymore.

Anyone who spent time with the nobles or royals fetched a high price for their bodies. I'd be rented out to anyone who wanted to feel "closer" to royalty.

I shuddered at the thought of greasy hands pawing at me and the lustful looks from men who had nothing better to do but fantasize about a more luxurious life.

"Did you hear me?" Prince Cole's snarl pulled me from my thoughts.

"Yes, Majesty. My apologies. I was remembering..." It was the best I could come up with on the spot. "King Talis told me he could get my collar off and elevate my living conditions."