“Actually, she’s more like Scylla. She’d have knocked your teeth down your throat, then reached in to get them out,” Zyion argued, forking a piece of meat to pop in his mouth.
Griffon cleared his throat as if something had gotten stuck in it. My gaze flickered to Zyion, who had a genuine smile on his lips. The look shimmering in his eyes was fascination—or something close to it.
After picking up the mug of ale, I downed the contents and, once again, accepted a fresh napkin from Zyion and dabbed the corners of my lips. I realized too late that it was actually his from the traces of bergamot and lemongrass clinging to the fabric. Aden’s glare burned into the side of my face, but I refused to entertain any more of his slanderous comments toward me.
“I’m exhausted,” Esme announced, which caused my eyes to flick to hers, seeing the laughter burning in them.
“I’m exhausted as well. It’s been a daunting task to reach the kingdom, father,” I admitted, which seemed to soften the tension building in the surrounding air. “I’m sure it’s why I’m so forward and cranky.”
“I’ve been a horrible host, Aria. I should’ve sent a meal up to your chambers. The path here does leave you relatively weak by the time it spits you out at the entrance of the cave. Forgive me, but it’s been a long time since we’ve had guests in the kingdom.” Griffon’s tone held worry, which made me shrink.
“I’m certain after we’ve slept, we’ll be better company,” I offered in excuse. “Isn’t that right, Esme?”
Violet eyes narrowed on my face before drifting to give Aden a withering look. “I fear I’m beyond tolerable tonight.”
“It’s settled then,” Griffon announced loudly as he clapped his palms together. Everyone save for Esme and I stood, so she and I hastened to stand as well. I noted Esme swaying on her feet, so I hooked my elbow through hers and awaited direction. “Eva, show the ladies to their chamber.”
“I’m heading in that direction to retire for the evening, Your Majesty. It would be an honor to show the princess and her companion to their chambers,” Zyion offered politely. Grabbing a new mug of ale from a tray, he polished it off before standing and pushing his chair in. “By your leave,” he said with a flourished bow to Griffon.
“Don’t be late to the sparring session at dawn, Vicious. I intend to have a rematch to make up for today’s folly.”
“If you want me to embarrass you again, Aden, you need only ask,” Zyion stated with arrogance burning in his startling, blue depths. He didn’t move, as if he was waiting for Aden to dismiss him.
“We’ll see who emerges victorious in the morning. I intend to show the princess how a real prince defends her.” The tight-lipped glare he exuded sent my brows up to my hairline.
“I’m not here to court you, Aden, or do anything else with you. But have a good night, or whatever you have planned.” Closing the space between us, I leaned down so I could whisper against his ear. “And for the record, loyalty is earned, not given heedlessly because of the blood someone houses. You’ll be disappointed if you expect me to give it recklessly.” Spinning on my heel, I left Aden to stare angrily at my back. Disrespect was evident, and I was acutely aware of it. It told him I wasn’t afraid of or worried about him. I didn’t see him as an equal—but, then again, he wasn’t.
Chapter Nine
Aria
Zyion strolled behind me as Esme walked next to me through the huge corridor. I could feel the weight of his gaze burning into my spine most of the way to the chamber. The only sounds were the soft falls of our footsteps against the polished flooring and the swish of my gown as it rustled against my ankles. Then Esme released a soft sigh of annoyance, and Zyion glanced over to her.
“It isn’t much farther, Esmeralda.”
“Thank goodness,” she whined in a sour tone. She was still upset about my abandoning her. It didn’t matter that I hadn’t done it intentionally.
We rounded the corner and a large set of double doors came into view at the far end of the hallway. The moment the guards standing on either side of it spotted us, they stepped forward to pull them open for us to pass. The corridor we entered was fragrant with fresh-cut flowers, which resembled strange-looking lilies that had been placed in vases with glowing fish. It created a lovely contrast between the grass-colored stems and the luminance of the animal.
Zyion paused before an unremarkable door and spoke in a rich, dark resonance that slid over my flesh like velvet. “This is my chamber. If you need help or find yourself in trouble, you can hide in it.” Frowning at my strange reaction to his tone, I chewed my lips.
I fidgeted, full of nervous energy, as his sharp stare steadily moved between my face and Esme’s. When neither of us spoke, he folded his arms over his wide, muscular chest.
“You don’t trust me. That’s fine with me.” At his snide tone, my eyes narrowed. “As much as Griffon wishes it otherwise, ladies, no one trusts you either. You are outsiders. And you?” He looked at me pointedly. “You are fraternizing with the enemy. Who you do shit with? That’s on you. That’s your business, but there’s a lot of history and shit to unpack between the original two bloodlines. It isn’t something some people will forgive you for doing, princess. A word of advice? Don’t piss off Aden. Your father promised him the throne through marriage. That’s because even Griffon realizes it’s the only way the people here will ever accept an outsider as their princess.”
“With all due respect? I don’t care what they have promised him. The throne isn’t why I came here. I’ll tell you the same thing I told Aden, in case you missed it the first time. I’m here to learn who my father is and what I am to become. If Griffon promised Aden a throne, that’s on him. It isn’t on me. Prior to my arrival, I specified that I wouldn’t be coerced into anything. I meant it. The land chose me before you found me in the maze. It has accepted my claim to it as well. So, I dare any of you to see how far I’ll allow you to push me on this. I promise you it won’t be far at all. I doubt Aden could handle me at my weakest, let alone when I have the power of the land behind me.” The last part tumbled out before I could think better of disclosing the information. An amused smile played across Zyion’s lips as he unfolded his arms.
“If that’s true, then neither of them can argue your claim to the throne. Still, you’ll face pushback since every woman in this kingdom wants a chance at Aden.” A look of disbelief stamped over his sharp, regal features as his smile turned cocky. “I’d be careful with whom you disclose that secret to, princess.”
“They can have the pompous prick and stop calling me princess. It sounds dainty. I assure you, I’m no such thing.” Offering him a playful smirk, I decided I didn’t hate the glimmer of amusement in his eyes. “Did you actually intend to show us to our room? Because we’re not the damsels who need to be saved—in fact, we’re the monsters that other creatures fear, but even monsters need to sleep sometimes,” I stated boldly, hiking a thumb toward Esme.
“I promise you, we’re all monsters here, Aria.” He didn’t allow me time to reply before moving toward a large, decorative set of doors down the hall.