Page 99 of The Prince and His Stolen Throne

Delight glowed on Maximus’ cheeks and he nodded eagerly, excited to put his lockpicking skills to work.

“If anyone finds something they think is the anchor, don’t wait for the rest of us,” Fitz said. “Stab it, smash it, whatever you need to do to destroy it. I’d rather break a hundred false anchors than miss the real one.”

“How will we know if we’ve broken the curse?” Maximus asked.

“Maybe the trees will die?” Delilah cut off a piece of vine with her claws and twisted it between her fingers. “Since they won’t have magic to sustain them anymore?”

Fitz adjusted his glasses and said, “At the very least, we’ll probably hear the angry screams of an evil mage. In which case, I suggest we all run like hell.If anyone else is captured, we can regroup and come up with a rescue plan later. Understood?”

One by one, we nodded.

“Let’s go break a curse and save our kingdoms!” Fitz declared.

Despite knowing the dangers ahead, excitement buzzed in the air. The others gathered their things and prepared to infiltrate an evil mage’s lair. In just a few hours, the royal champions would finish their quest.

And I would finish my mission.

Royal Champions Vs. Evil Minions: Round One

Angelica’s dungeon cell had transformed into a luxurious bedroom overnight. The straw mattress had been replaced with a feather one and with soft, cotton sheets. Six brightly colored pillows covered the small cot, with one stuffed dragon toy overseeing the fluffy hoard. Colorful, fragrant candles lined every surface, chasing away the smell of mildew and damp soil.

At least three orcs had rotated shifts to watch her, each wrapped around her finger easier than a silk ribbon. All she had to do was lower her lashes and pout her lips, and they hurried to see to her every need. Instead of demanding her release, she emphasized howlongher stay would be, howoftenthey would be in each other’s company.

All of that would probably stop, now that their captain had discovered how they’d spent their shifts.

He stared down at Angelica, thick, muscled arms crossed over an equally impressive chest. A wide nose, thick jaw, and heavy brow gave his face a timeless strength. Hard intelligence glimmered in his black eyes. He would not be as easily swayed as his subordinates.

Holding up the broken remains of the hand mirror, he asked, “Who gave this to you?”

Angelica batted her lashes. “A lady never reveals her secrets.”

He snorted and tossed the gilded handle aside. “Your wiles won’t work on me, Princess. All of that”—he gestured to the pillows, the bedding, the candles—“needs to go.”

She watched his oversized hand reach for the keys on the belt. The gifts the orcs had brought her were all small or flexible enough to slip through the bars. Since she wouldn’t willingly give up her comforts, the orc captain would need to enter the cell to take it all back.

The key slipped into the lock … and immediately back out as the orc removed it and stepped out of reach.

Angelica hadn’t realized she’d tensed in anticipation, but the orc had caught it. She forced her body to relax back onto the cot, to pretend unconcern.

“I see what you’re doing,” he said, narrowing his eyes.

“Of course you do. Only a smart, perceptive man such as you could become a captain.”

He snorted. “Most people wouldn’t call me a ‘man.’”

“What would they call you?”

He bared his teeth at her, the grim expression framed by two thick tusks. “A monster.”

“Please.” She rolled her eyes at the paltry attempt at intimidation. “I’ve fought monsters. Giant centipedes, devilfish, creatures who run on hunger and instinct. Orcs don’t fall into that category.”

“Most of society would disagree with you. Even your own kingdom disdains us.”

“There aren’t any orcs living in Calamity,” she informed him tersely.

He stared back at her silently.

It took her a moment to understand the truth she’d revealed with her own statement.Whywere there no orcs in Calamity? Or the rest of the Desolated Lands? Because the Kingdom Defense Spell kept them out. “Has the Good Wizards’ Council classified orcs as ‘evil?’”