Page 101 of Dragon Me Through Space

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

We headed down many hallways and staircases full of servants bustling about and onlookers, who whispered excitedly when they saw us.

As we walked across a courtyard that had no roof, allowing warm sunlight to filter down, the twang of a bow releasing an arrow sounded.

Immediately, I froze while the four princes converged around me.

Zeke’s hand shot out, catching the arrow by the shaft and with a single squeeze, he cracked it in half.

Gage released his wings, leapt up into the air, and a second later the sound of someone’s death scream reached our ears.

Preston and I hadn’t moved during the attack, which, despite my hammering heart and mind believing minutes had passed, had only been a few seconds.

“She didn’t even flinch,” someone commented nearby.

“The amount of trust she has in them is almost terrifying,” a woman murmured behind me.

Preston continued walking as though nothing had happened and I made sure my face was completely neutral as I walked at his side.

Internally, my mind was screaming that someone had just tried to kill one of us … most likely me.

Why? Why would someone try to kill me? Were they remnants of Charles’s assassins? Mercenaries who had been hired?

“Deep, slow breath,” Preston whispered without turning to look at me. “Your heart is racing faster than normal.”

“Thirsty,” I said, which was a half-truth.

“We’ll get water at the banquet,” Wayne promised.

Two guards stood at the doorway that led into the throne room, but they didn’t even look at us as we entered, barely dipping their head in acknowledgment of the princes.

The throne room was much larger than I had anticipated, the space large enough to seat at least five hundred people, and at the very front was a raised dais with two thrones. In the thrones sat a beautiful woman with hard eyes wearing a stunning white gown and a man who looked like an older, angrier version of Preston.

“I see you deigned to visit us, finally,” High Queen Seraphyne said.

Preston waited until we were at the stairs of the dais before bowing and saying, “Prince Preston Vorthal greets the High King and High Queen. I have completed my assignment and have returned to continue my responsibilities as heir.”

I had bowed at the same time as him, but waited for him to finish before I said, “It is an honor to meet you, High King Alaric and High Queen Seraphyne. I am Princess Xoe Darmascus of Caltyrela.”

“We know who you are,” High King Alaric said, “though you have definitely changed over the last decade.”

“She looks just like her mother,” High Queen Seraphyne commented.

Raising my eyes, I smiled at her and said, “The rumors of your beauty pale in comparison to seeing you in person, Your Majesty.”

Her eyes stayed hard, but she sat a bit straighter, preening at my compliment. “It is lovely to see you again, Princess. We are glad that you were found safe and have returned to your rightful place.”

“In two days’ time, you have a very important new mission,” High King Alaric said before I could respond to the High Queen.

Preston straightened, so I did as well, reaching out to link our hands together again. “Yes, I am excited and ready to participate in the Games,” I answered.

Both of their eyes widened momentarily.

“You know of the Games?” High King Alaric asked.

“I do, Your Majesty. I look forward to participating.”

Someone scoffed nearby. “Not that she’ll last long.”