A Dove's Tale

Chapter 62

Prince Chevalier told me to stay in his library, so that's where I was, dusting as the anger churned inside me. The simple designation that this was Prince Chevalier's library wouldn't keep Prince Gilbert out. He would find a way around Prince Chevalier, and he would come, and I was ready for him. I didn't need any coffee to keep me awake while I waited.

Using me against Prince Chevalier was one thing. Endangering a five-year-old girl to get to me was another thing entirely.

It was another hour before the door opened. I whirled to face Prince Gilbert as his icy presence reached its cold tendrils toward me, my fists clenched tightly at my sides. He smiled pleasantly as he closed the distance between us.

"You were expecting me."

"Leave Rachel alone," I said vehemently.

He chuckled as he came to a stop in front of me, trapping me against a bookcase. "What happened to the frightened little dove from last night?"

"Do what you want with me, but leave everybody else out of this. I don't want you near my neighbors or my mother, and, while we're at it, stop using Prince Clavis to get to me, too."

His brows drew together in a look that was almost pitying. "You really are too pure to be caught up in all this," he mused.

"Leave them alone," I repeated. "Say it."

He tilted his head slightly to the side, the hint of pity gone, replaced by definite amusement. "And why would you take my word, little dove?"

"Because you hate lying."

"Hm. True, but I also don't make one-sided agreements, which brings us back to where the wolf interrupted us last night, doesn't it?"

He reached out to brush a stray hair behind my ear. I flinched away from his cold touch, trailing down my jawline to my chin, wanting to slap his hand away, but this was a chance to get him to do what I wanted. I didn't matter. If I could get him to agree to this, those around me would be safe, and that was all that I cared about right now.

"I already told you. Do what you want with me, but leave them alone," I said, the words acid in my mouth. "Is that good enough for you?"

His smile morphed into a smug smirk. "This is new. I'm not used to the prey turning around and leaping into my jaws," he said, tilting my chin up.

"Don't think you're unique," I said bitingly. "It's the same deal I made with Prince Chevalier when I started here."

He laughed and slid his fingers from my chin, the tip of his forefinger lifting it up slightly with its final touch. "Owned by the Brutal Beast and the Conqueror Beast," he said, turning slightly and offering me his arm. "How unfortunate for you, little dove."

I swallowed bile and took his arm, trying not to flinch again as his other hand covered mine. He patted my hand and led me out into the main library.

"It's really too bad that someone like you had to end up in this game between two monsters, although you've added an interesting layer it lacked before. Chevalier has never had so much as a chink in his armor until now. He might even hesitate to kill you, but he'd still do it if forced to make that decision, as would I. Though let's hope, for your sake, it doesn't come to that."

A cold weight settled in the pit of my stomach, reaching up to wrap its fingers around my heart. I didn't believe Prince Chevalier would kill me, but I believed Prince Gilbert would without a second thought. Right now, I was an amusing pawn to him, something he could use to irritate his long-time enemy. If he knew how much Prince Chevalier cared about me, though, he would truly become dangerous to Prince Chevalier and Rhodolite, and my life was forfeit.