Page 23 of Fit for a Prince (Fit For A Crown #1)

Chapter twenty-two

L ochlan dragged me out of the room the moment I accepted his hand.

His grip was iron, chaining me to him and forcing me to fall in step with his quick boots.

The second we were outside the doors, he pulled me to the opposing wall and pressed me up against it, nearly knocking my head on the stone while keeping a firm grip on my wrist.

“What was that?” His biting tone reminded me of a snarling dog one snap away from breaking free of its muzzle. “I thought I told you to behave!”

I slumped my shoulders against the cool stone. For the briefest moment, I had wondered if Lochlan was actually standing up for me and my people. It was a short-lived moment.

“I followed the rules,” I said plainly.

“That doesn’t mean you behaved.”

“Neither did you.” I remained unshaken by his firm grip and soulless eyes. I’d seen the tremble in his limbs he’d tried to hide earlier. Those men intimidated him more than he ever could me. “You had no issue opposing those above you, so why should I?”

“Because you’re a lousy roach,” he hissed.

“A roach you offered to protect.” I lifted the wrist he held, raising it between our eyes so we could both see his grip. “Tell me, Your Highness. If you hate me so much, then why do you insist on keeping me so close?”

He gritted his teeth, his grasp tightening before tossing my wrist aside. “It was you who insisted on spending time with me. My father is the one who wants to keep you alive.”

“But you insisted on keeping my people alive as well.”

“That’s because my father wants more than just you .” His volume dropped, the sudden quietness wisping like a ghost through the dark halls. “He wants the vault.”

That blasted vault again.

“I know,” I admitted, my mouth dry. “He already asked me for its whereabouts.”

“And?” Lochlan’s jaw loosened. “What did you tell him?”

He doesn’t know? I guess it isn’t surprising that Septimus doesn’t tell his sons everything.