Living Like a Mouse? How About a Lion?

Callisto's Abduction

One minute, I was in a room, mentally preparing for the inevitable clash with Derrick after that delightful tea-time proposal. The next thing I knew, Callisto had quite literally picked me up and hauled me out of the Eckhart estate like a sack of grain. No explanation. No warning.

Kidnapped.

 I've been kidnapped by a prince.

"Put me down," I hissed, squirming against his iron grip, but he didn't even flinch. His face was completely unreadable, like he was on some royal mission, which, let's face it, he probably thought he was. "Callisto, I swear, if you don't put me down this second—"

"You're coming with me," he interrupted, not even sparing me a glance as we approached his carriage, which was conveniently waiting at the gates. "I'll send a servant to collect your things."

Oh. 

Perfect. 

I'm being abducted, and he's worrying about my wardrobe.

"Callisto," I snapped, shoving at his chest, which might as well have been a wall for all the good it did. "You can't just—"

But before I could finish, he opened the carriage door, unceremoniously shoved me inside, and climbed in after me, as if this was the most natural thing in the world. The door slammed shut, and with a sharp word from him, the carriage began to move.

I glared at him, my blood boiling. "You can't just kidnap me."

He finally turned to look at me, his expression annoyingly calm. "I didn't kidnap you. I'm simply expediting the process."

Expediting the process?!

I folded my arms, leaning back against the plush seat as the carriage rumbled down the road. "Oh, how considerate of you. Remind me to send you a thank-you note."

Callisto chuckled, his eyes gleaming with that infuriating amusement of his. "You'll thank me soon enough, Penelope. Trust me."

Oh, I trust you about as far as I can throw you.

The silence in the carriage was thick, and I was just about ready to tear into him again when he finally spoke.

"I need someone like you," he said, his voice low but steady. "Someone bold, someone who can stand their ground in front of the queen."

I blinked, caught off guard by his sudden seriousness. The queen? What did she have to do with this? I narrowed my eyes. "And you think I'm that person?"

He nodded, his gaze unwavering. "You're exactly that person."

I should feel flattered. I don't.

"Let me guess," I said dryly. "You're expecting me to march into the palace and go toe-to-toe with the queen on your behalf?"

He didn't even hesitate. "Yes."

Oh, lovely. 

Just what I wanted.

 A front-row seat to my own execution.

"I don't think you understand what you're asking for," I said, my voice edged with sarcasm. "The queen is a viper, and you want me to stroll into her nest and poke her with a stick?"

Callisto's lips twitched, but his eyes remained serious. "The queen will try to tear you apart. But I believe you'll survive it."

Survive it?

Survive it?

 Is this a pep talk or a death sentence?

I raised an eyebrow. "And what exactly do you expect me to do when she tries to, oh I don't know, have me beheaded?"

Callisto shrugged, leaning back in his seat with infuriating calm. "Stand your ground. Show her you're not afraid."

Not afraid? 

Oh, please, I'm terrified. 

I just hide it well.

"Look," he continued, his voice soft but firm, "I don't need anything from you except your presence. I need someone who can match her—someone who doesn't care about the consequences."

Well, congratulations. 

You found her.

"So, basically," I said slowly, "you want me to go in there, be my usual charming self, and make her hate me more than she already does?"

He smiled. "Exactly."

I laughed, though there was no humor in it. "You're insane."

He didn't deny it. "Perhaps. But I know what I need, and right now, I need you."

Yeah, you and your penchant for dragging me into the lion's den.

I stared at him, trying to read the deeper meaning in his words, but he was like a locked book. And yet, I knew what he was saying. He didn't want a delicate princess by his side. He wanted a weapon. Someone who could bite back. And he was looking at me like I was the sharpest blade in the room.

Too bad I'm more like a double-edged sword. 

I cut everything, including myself.

"Fine," I said after a long pause. "I'll play your game, but don't expect me to bow and curtsy for you."

Callisto's smile widened. "I wouldn't dream of it."

Oh, you'd better not.

We fell into silence again as the carriage rolled on, the weight of what I'd just agreed to settling over me like a heavy cloak. I was going to clash with the queen, there was no doubt about it. And Callisto, with all his princely charm and deadly ambition, was betting on me to hold my own in that fight.

No pressure.

But deep down, I knew he was right. I wasn't cut out to play the part of a noble lady. I never had been. I was a survivor. And if that meant going toe-to-toe with the most dangerous woman in the empire, then so be it.

At least it'll be entertaining.

Still, I couldn't help but feel the creeping sense of danger. I was walking straight into a battlefield, and Callisto—mad as he was—was my only ally. But he wasn't asking for anything other than for me to stand by his side. He didn't want a queen. He wanted a warrior.

And if there's one thing I'm good at, it's fighting. Even if it's a losing battle.

The carriage finally came to a stop, and Callisto leaned over, opening the door with a flourish. "Welcome to your new life, Penelope."

I rolled my eyes but stepped out anyway, glancing back at him. "This better be worth it, Callisto."

His smirk was back, full force. "Oh, it will be."

I sure hope so. Because if it's not, I'll be coming for you next, Prince.