Page 49 of Grand Romantic Delusions and the Madness of Mirth, Part One

I go still, locking my gaze to my father’s.

And I contemplate unleashing.

Just for the space of my next deep breath, I contemplate unleashing everything.

I don’t.

I don’t unleash.

I force it all down instead. Like always. Then I force calm to the surface.

“Thank you, Bolan,” my father says dismissively, still watching me intently.

Bolan stiffens at the obvious order.

“Don’t,” I say, quietly cool. “He’s not yours to command.”

My father arches an arrogant eyebrow at me. “You’re all mine to command.”

I grip the thick fur on the back of Bolan’s neck, stepping around him so that he’s at my side, not between me and my father.

I realize that maybe, just maybe … Bolan wasn’t protecting me from the shifter and the mage at all when he stepped in front of me.

Maybe he’s trying to protect me from my father.

“Radek and Lukas were just following your directives,” I say silkily, though still utterly incensed underneath the veneer of calm I’ve managed to erect. “You want me courted, bonded, fucked, and tucked away in some fucking ivory tower to produce more worthy heirs.”

My father flinches. He opens his mouth —

I raise my hand to silence him.

My ire fades as quickly as it spiked, because I already know what he’s going to say. I always know. “You think I couldn’t have gotten away from them,” I say. “If I thought I was in danger? I’m that useless in your eyes?”

Tension runs through my father’s jaw. “You have to be willing to hurt others to save yourself, to save those you love.”

That statement hangs in the misty air between us. Then, just to make sure I understand his extreme displeasure, his censure, my father adds, “So no, Mirth. I don’t think you would have done what was necessary.”

My hands fall to my sides, releasing Bolan from my grip.

I take two steps forward, so that I’m standing alone, without support.

Because … why not? I am alone.

“So. Death sentences, then?” I ask mockingly.

My father’s shoulders stiffen. “Laying hands on you is a treasonous act.”

“You kill them, I’m gone.”

He blinks at me.

“You banish them, I’m gone. ”

My father’s hands clench.

My hands remain relaxed, hanging at my sides. No matter how alike we are in all other aspects, I’m not his mirror image. I never will be. “You punish them in any way, I’m gone.”

“Euphrosyne,” he says warningly, “this is not the time for childish —”

“You want an heir?” I ask, though I know it’s not a question. “Someone strong enough to support you? To take your place when needed? Either wait twenty years for the twins or recognize that you have me. I am … not you. I am not Armin. But I’m just as … strong.”

My voice cracks, but I take a settling breath.

I … smile. “And I don’t have to kill anyone to prove that strength.”

Vehicles filled with royal guards suddenly flood the road behind us, those guards unloading even before they’ve fully stopped.

“Choose,” I say. “Trust me just a little fucking bit, Father. And choose.”

My father releases Radek and Lukas. The threads of essence holding them in place dissipate. Their arms fall forward, and they raise their heads, though they stay on their knees.

At my side, Bolan grumbles deep in his throat.

I ache all over, presumably from being slammed against the front seat thanks to a stupidly enraged shifter. But I just shake my head at the wolf. “You have no say in any of this. I had it under control.”

Tereza is guided out of the back of one of the royal guard vehicles. Her arms are clasped around herself protectively, her eyes wild with fear, as she’s escorted toward us.

“Really?” I ask my father mockingly.

He lifts his chin imperiously. “I am your father. Your protection is paramount.” He raises his voice as Tereza nears. “The line of Landenberg will withdraw their courtship of Princess Euphrosyne.”

Twisting her hands together and darting panicked looks at her two bond mates, Tereza nods frantically. Then she curtsies to me, holding that position. “Our deepest apologies, Your Royal Highness. For … anything that took place between you and my bond mates. I’m certain they didn’t mean any harm.”

“They didn’t,” I say kindly. “I should have been more clear about the … boundaries.” Literally and figuratively.

Tereza remains bent low before me.

“Let’s meet for lunch,” I say brightly. “When I’m next in Prague.”

Bolan expels a heavy snort at my side.

Tereza blinks up at me.

My smile widens. “Bolan’s treat. If he hadn’t chased us, my father wouldn’t have needed to bless us with his presence.”

“Well, you seem to have this all under control, my darling daughter,” my father says stiffly. “I have other things to attend to at Waterfell.”

I’m still smiling broadly. “Yes, your other things are always far more important, Your Majesty.” Then I execute a deep curtsy of my own.

Energy snaps and lashes around my father. But he waits until I raise my head and peer into the onslaught, until I straighten without dropping his gaze. Then he disappears.

Tereza immediately loses it, gasping and crying as she flings herself toward Radek and Lukas.

The other lynx shifter is on his feet quickly, snatching her up in his arms. Then she pulls Lukas into an intense kiss.

“What were you thinking?” Still grasping Lukas’s shoulders, she kisses Radek. “What were you thinking? ”

If either of them answer, I miss it as I turn away.

The massive wolf at my side keeps pace with me, clearly alarming the guards gathered around the vehicles. Without another word, I slide into a back seat and wait to be driven back to the castle.

Bolan keeps pace with the car until we pass the boundary wards. Then he slips off into the thickly treed woods.

“I believe you’re expected at the stables, Your Highness,” my driver murmurs from the front. “The others will be gathering to ride.” They briefly catch my eye in the rearview mirror before looking quickly away.

“I’ll need to change first,” I say, not bothering to protest.

Despite lobbing our disappointment with each other back and forth with my father, I understand that I agreed to the matchmaking event. I know why it has to happen.

Of course, that doesn’t mean I can’t try to do a little bit of it on my terms.

Plus, going to the stables means I’ll hopefully get a greedy glimpse of Rian— even if my plan to see him alone has been quashed for now.