Page 102 of Fake Fae-Ancée
Kai's ring.
My ring.
Bear roared inside me, but my brother's hard hand on my arm held me back before I could rush forward. Nicolai glanced at me, shaking his head slightly.
Control yourself. Don't ruin this, the look said.
"Let's talk," I gritted, only barely suppressing Bear's bluster.
"Bring your second." Yegor turned and stalked into the palace.
Nicolai and I exchanged a glance. While he turned and told the Bears that the duel was about to take place, I walked up the stairs.
The crowd behind me didn’t know that my entire plan had just gone up in smoke.
* * *
"You still arethe headstrong little welp I remember." The king sighed theatrically. He stood with his back to me at the window, looking out on the waiting mob one level down on the street. "I should have killed you when I had the chance."
Yegor was a hulk, almost as tall as me, with a broad face and narrow yellow eyes that were now flashing at me nastily. He stood casually in front of his broad golden desk, regarding his fingernails.
"Yeah, just like you killed our father," Nicolai next to me said. "Because there’s no way someone like you could hold power the legal way."
Yegor turned, measuring us both up and down. It was only the three of us in his study. His guards had stayed outside the door. He felt safe enough, the bastard.
I wanted to kill him so bad. Bear rattled against my mental cage, thrashing and roaring, wanting to get out and at the usurper’s throat.
But my eyes were glued to the little, rose gold ring Yegor rolled between his stubby fingers.
"You have to accept my challenge," I said. "It’s the law."
Yegor scoffed, slipping the ring into the breast pocket of his jacket.
"No, I don’t," he said, snapping his fingers. "Look."
A flatscreen on the wall whirred to life.
I froze.
It showed the violet-gray blur of a surveillance camera. A room in semi-darkness. Empty. A cage in the middle. With Kai in it.
My stomach dropped. Even Bear froze. Nicolai next to me sucked air between his teeth.
"You really thought I would just let you return and reclaim your throne without any precautions." Yegor tutted.
I stared at him, lost for words, cold blooming in my chest as I understood.
He had me now right where he had me, years ago.
With father murdered, Yegor had taken the throne. And he had averted a duel with me, the only lawful challenger, by taking my family hostage.
Now he had Kai.
I was so fucking stupid.
"Coward!" Nicolai growled next to me. His eyes had turned yellow and he was visibly struggling not to let his Bear take over. "You wouldn't stand a chance in an honest fight!"
"I agree with you, Nicolai Alexejevic." Yegor said, showing a glint of his fangs. "But that's not the point. I don't need to fight. Because your brother, the only legitimate contender, won't challenge me. Not as long as he ensures the safety of his little Fae bitch."
