Page 90 of The Nymph Prince

The human guards remained around us, and the corridor was beginning to feel as though it was closing in around me. My breaths came heavier. Harder. I couldn’t seem to suck enough air into my lungs. And it was hot. Too hot. I wore very little—thanks to the manner of dress from Avalontis—yet I still sweat.

Someone grabbed my arm and calm washed over me.

“Thanks,” I whispered to Eva.

“You’re welcome.” Her hand stayed on my arm. “If the king intended to kill Lorcan or take him as a prisoner, he would’ve done so by now. I feel that a truce is in the works as we speak.”

I hoped she was right.

“You’re all fish people, yeah?” a guard said as he eyed each of us.

“Fish people?” Troy questioned. “That’s rude. Merpeople or merfolk are the correct words. Unless, of course, you refer to yourself as ape people.”

“You insolent little brat!”

The guard shoved forward, but Malik blocked his path.

“Touch him and die,” Malik growled.

Weapons were drawn and aimed at us. Troy grabbed onto Malik’s back and pressed his face into the large male’s armor.

We’d been stripped of our swords upon entering, but unbeknownst to them, my weapon was my mind. The urge to kill them all was strong, but I held it at bay. Just because the humans were being hostile didn’t mean that peace talks were over. It’d only take a single order from their king to stop this madness.

If Lorcan was successful.

“Is that so?” the same guard asked before giving a toothy grin. “I’lldie? I’m the one with a sword toyourneck, mountain.”

“You must be mistaken if you think I need a sword to rip out your throat,” Malik spoke, his voice level.

“Enough of this,” another human soldier spat. By the way the other men flinched at his voice, I assumed he was their commanding officer. “Until orders are passed down from King James, you lot better keep yourselves in line.” His gray-eyed gaze shifted to me before moving on to the others. “As of right now, these are our guests. Treat them as such.”

The officer smiled before adding, “And if King James informs me that they’re our enemy…I will have the honor of killing that one,” he pointed to Malik, “myself.”

Malik answered the man’s smile with a chilling one of his own.

An eternity later—at least, it’d felt like one—the doors to the throne room opened. The slow creaking of them had my heart jumping up into my throat. Seeing Lorcan strolling out, his head held high and a victorious gleam in his eyes, I was able to breathe again.

“The king has…graciously… agreed to a peace between us and has offered for us to stay in his castle,” Lorcan announced, one hand behind his back as the other hung at his side. His casual stance was a show. Part of the game he played. His vibrant green eyes focused on the main guard. “If you’d be so kind as to step aside so my men—and lady—can retire to their rooms after such a long journey, that’d be much obliged.”

“I take no orders from the likes of you, fish,” the guard retorted.

Malik growled. I wondered if a part of him wished for a fight, just so he could crush the human’s skull in his hands.

“But youdotake them from me,” another voice said.

“Your Majesty,” the humans announced, bowing their heads.

King James approached, and I bit back my look of revulsion. He was younger than I’d thought he’d be and some might’ve considered him to be handsome. I, however, saw him for the beast he was. He hated my kind. Tortured us.

“Welcome to Talena,” the king greeted. The smile he wore as he looked at us was nothing but a farce. He’d gladly kill us all with no hesitation. I saw it in his eyes, the cruelty beneath the charm. “I hope your stay is a pleasant one.”

Lorcan’s jaw tensed, though his expression remained polite.

“Your hospitality is much appreciated, Your Majesty,” my nymph said.

“Indeed, it is,” the king answered. He then motioned to a few of the guards. “Take them to their chambers and ensure they have everything they need. We want our guests to be comfortable.”

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