Page 7 of Princess (Marinah and the Apocalypse #5)

Marinah

Togg was back on duty at Lesley’s door the next morning.

“How’s our gilded prisoner?” I asked as I approached.

He gave a rare smile. “Surprisingly quiet.”

I raised a brow. “Not sure if that’s good or bad, but I’m going in.”

“Good luck.”

I liked Togg, even if he could be an idiot at times. After his last bout of trouble, I had asked King about his childhood. King had just shrugged and said, “He never talks about it.”

That alone told me plenty.

Unlike most of the Shadow Warriors, Togg didn’t have farming skills or a formal education.

But he was a quick learner, deadly with a sword, and most importantly, trustworthy.

Keeping him busy was the best way to keep him out of trouble.

I intended to take him off guard duty and end his punishment.

I had something else lined up that would occupy his time.

He unlocked the door, and I stepped inside.

Lesley lay on the bed, watching me with silent, unreadable eyes.

“I’d like to show you your work assignment if you want to start today. The choice is yours.” I kept my tone light because I knew I’d won.

She didn’t answer right away. Instead, she stared at me for a long moment before speaking in the softest voice I had ever heard from her. “Why do you hate me so much?”

I considered ignoring the question. But the truth was easier.

“I was the one who captured you,” I said evenly.

“I’ll never forget the contempt in your voice and hatred in your eyes.

You’re a good actress, maybe good enough to fool someone into believing you’re just a poor, misused president’s wife.

I won’t fall for it, and your act won’t get you out of confinement.

You are a danger to my people. Hatred like yours doesn’t just float away.

It festers.” I let the words hang between us for a beat before continuing. “Now, back to my original question.”

Lesley exhaled sharply, then swung her legs over the side of the bed. She faced me with a look of pure defiance.

“You’re wrong about everything,” she said stubbornly. “Especially me. And I’ll prove it.” She lifted her chin. “I need to eat, so I’ll start this wretched work assignment you’ve decided can only be done by me.”

Her speech had been almost convincing. Almost. But I saw through it. She still believed she was too good for work, a delusion that likely came from being the wife of President Barnes.

I remembered the way she had offered me the name of her manicurist before I kidnapped her, like that was the kind of information I needed. I had no doubt the manicurist had taken the job to avoid wearing a red stripe.

Mrs. Barnacle wasn’t just a liar. She was privileged. She thought herself above everyone else.

“Will I be able to eat before beginning this job?” she asked, her tone clipped but edged with practiced innocence.

“Food will be delivered once you start working. I’ll order it as soon as I go over the assignment. Follow me.”

I stepped into the hallway and motioned for Togg to follow.

“Could you possibly slow down?” Lesley huffed, already breathless.

I could, and I did. My legs were longer than hers, and I was in far better shape even with my advanced pregnancy. I didn’t mind giving a little.

When we reached the designated workroom, I unlocked the door and turned to Togg. “Put this on your keyring,” I said, handing the key over. “Let the other guards know she will be here six hours a day.” I ignored Lesley’s sharp inhale.

We stepped inside, and the task ahead of her became immediately clear.

Lesley took one look around, her lips curling in revulsion, which grew as her nostrils picked up the smell of sweat and dirt.

What could I say? Shadow Warriors worked hard, and sometimes their clothes stunk.

We’d found a system that worked best for them.

The Warriors didn’t care if they wore each other’s clean clothes as long as they fit.

“You expect me to do laundry?” she demanded.

“You’ll be sorting laundry,” I corrected.

“Clothes come down the chute above and land in a pile. You’ll check the size, sort them, and place them into the canvas bags marked with the correlating sizes.

After you leave in the evening, the bags will be picked up.

Once you get the hang of this, I might add folding, but I’ll need to set up a larger table for that. ”

I gestured to the side. “The small table is where you can eat. Through that door is a washroom. If you do your job, you will be provided food. Do you have questions?”

Lesley’s eyes filled with pitiful tears, her hand trembling as she lifted them to her throat, the picture of practiced helplessness.

I felt nothing.

Neither did Togg, judging by the look of disgust on his face.

Protect baby , whispered Ms. Beast.

My Warrior side said this a lot when I was in Lesley’s company. Ms. Beast didn’t like her either.

Lesley crossed her arms, her expression turning venomous. “My husband will hear about this after I return home,” she spit, allowing the real Mrs. Barnes to slip out. “He will come for me, and then he will kill you.”

I didn’t so much as blink.

We wanted him to come. It was far easier than tracking him down again.

“One more thing,” I said, ignoring her threat. “Screaming and yelling will also remove your access to food. If you plan to start work without the temper tantrum, I’ll stop by the kitchen and have a meal delivered.”

If looks could kill, I’d be nothing but a blood smear on the floor.

Lesley huffed, turned her back on me, and limped dramatically to a small pile of clothes and leaned over it.

The universe had perfect timing. At that exact moment, another load came tumbling down the chute and buried her.

Togg snorted. I barely bit back a laugh. We slipped out of the room and shut the door behind us before we completely lost it.

“I know this assignment is supposed to be punishment,” Togg said, grinning as he locked the door, “but I believe I’ll enjoy it now.”

“Good,” I replied, still smirking. “Because your punishment ends tomorrow. Try staying out of trouble, Togg. Don’t make me send you back here, even if you might enjoy it.”

“Yes, my Queen,” he said with a grin.

One disaster down.

Now to deal with a pint-sized one.