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My head spun. I wasn’t sure if the dizziness had been caused by the two pouches of wine, or by my world slipping from my grasp. Either way, I needed to get out of the room for some fresh air.
“Excuse me,” I said to my fiancé.
He grabbed my arm and dug his fingers in. “Where do you think you’re going? This party is in honor of our engagement.”
“I need to go to the ladies’ room,” I blurted.
“Oh, Nyssa,” complained my father. “That’s no way for a princess to talk.”
Faraall’s hand clamped down on my behind, and I yelped at his filthy touch. “Do not worry, Father. I’ll make a woman of her.”
Was everyone here going mad? Could they not see I was being forced into this union and denied my right to choose my mate?
The commander’s lips grazed my cheek, and I closed my eyes and swallowed hard, wishing for this torture to end.
“Come straight back, my sweet princess.” He slapped my behind.
I was out of there before he could change his mind.
My heart clenched as I glanced at my parents. There was a possibility I might not return from the Sea Witch’s cave. Many rumors spoke of merfolk never coming home after visiting her. No one knew what happened to those merfolk. My father never sent anyone to investigate, either. He said that if the merfolk were foolish enough to bargain with the witch, then that was that. I accepted my fate, whatever it might be; I had to try to save my father and the kingdom.
Before Faraall could change his mind, I propelled myself out of the room, not looking back. My tail pounded with fury, casting me through the corridors of the palace with such speed that I bumped into one of the nobles and even knocked over a servant.
“Sorry,” I shouted in my mind, but I did not stop.
I didn’t return to my room to grab any of my belongings. Time didn’t permit such luxuries. If I wanted to make it to the Sea Witch in time, I had to get as much distance between Faraall—and those soldiers within the army who were loyal to him—as I could before they came after me. No one was forcing me to marry a man I detested. Nor were they getting in my way of saving my father and my kingdom.
