CELESTE
The guards moved fast toward me. Panic flooded inside my body as I tried to back away, but my foot caught something, and I stumbled.
I pushed myself up, but the guards were already on me. One of them grabbed my wrist. I kicked and twisted, screaming, "Let me go!"
Another yanked both my arms behind my back. The roughness made my shoulders burn.
"Don't touch me!" I shouted.
But they didn't care.
They pulled a thick black cord from one of their belts and tied my wrists together so tightly my fingers went numb.
The guards lifted me like I weighed nothing and dragged me across the stone floor toward the council hall.
I was kicking, struggling, but it didn't matter.
The door creaked open, and the warmth of the fire inside hit me in the face.
All twelve men turned to look.
The Prince didn't. He didn't even glance at me as they shoved me inside and forced me to my knees in front of him.
"Might be a rogue." one of the guards reported. "She seems to be spying."
"I am not a rogue." I tried to defend myself.
Tristan slowly turned to face me. His eyes dropped to the tied rope around my hands. Still, he said nothing.
The silence was more terrifying than yelling.
His cold eyes stared straight into mine. For a second, I swore I saw surprise on his face. But it vanished so quickly, I wondered if I imagined it.
"Name." He said.
I swallowed hard, but my throat felt like sandpaper. "C-Celeste."
"Full name."
I stayed quiet.
One of the guards hit the back of my head, not too hard, but enough to sting. I gasped. "Lorelei Celeste." I said quickly.
The Prince walked toward me, each step echoing in the hall. When he stopped in front of me, I had to tilt my chin to look up at him.
He didn't crouch. He didn't offer a hand. He looked at me like I was an insect on his floor.
"Do you know what happens to people who spy on royal councils?" He asked.
I tried to speak again, "I… am not rogue. I was not spying. I followed some men from outside. I was just—"
"Just what?" he cut me off. "Just lurking near locked rooms at night?"
"No. I was just curious."
He leaned just a little closer. "And why should I believe your words?"
I flinched. "I live here. I am not a rogue."
Then he crouched slightly, lowering himself just enough to meet my eyes. "Prove it."
I stared at him, my breath caught in my throat. "How?" I whispered.
He stood again. "You said your name is Lorelei Celeste."
I nodded quickly. "Yes. I live in the eyot. I am one of the windslor pack's omegas. My father is alive. I am not a rogue."
He gave a slow nod. "Your father, then. Let's ask him." He turned to the guards. "Bring her father here." He said. "Now."
My chest tightened. "W-What? No, don't. He is… he is not well… he doesn't even live in the capital—"
He lifted his brow. "Where does he live?"
I hesitated.
A guard grabbed my arm. "Where?"
"South district," I said quickly. "Near the river docks. His name is Lorelei Holrick. He is a blacksmith. Sort of."
"Sort of?" He repeated, unimpressed.
I bit my lip. "He drinks more than he works. He doesn't live with me. Sometimes I don't even know where he is. But he is real. Ask anyone in South District."
The Prince tilted his head slightly, studying me. "Find Holrick." he ordered the guards without looking away from me. "I want him here before the hour ends."
Two guards rushed out without a word.
My stomach turned. I looked up at Tristan. "What would you do to him?"
"We will see." He said.
Before I could speak again, another man walked into the room. He was younger, a little less intimidating, but still royalty by the way he carried himself. He had a paper popcorn box in his hand, casually munching on it like he was here to watch a play.
"Tristan, I think she came with other spies." The man said, standing beside the Prince. "Probably her entire team."
"Not clever enough." Tristan replied, almost sounding bored. "But what brought you here, Prince Trevor?"
Right… this was his brother. I saw him a few times before.
"I am here to enjoy your sweet voice." Trevor grinned as he hopped onto the table and began to stuff popcorn in his mouth. "But by calling me Prince Trevor, are you asking me to start calling you King Tristan already?" He popped more popcorn into his mouth, clearly enjoying this.
Tristan's face twitched. "I wouldn't mind."
"Of course." Trevor smirked.
"The council's dismissed." Tristan announced. "Remember what I said."
The room slowly emptied. One by one, the men left, probably thankful they weren't the one under his spotlight anymore.
After they left, Tristan looked at me again. "You still have time to save your life in case you were lying." His voice rang in my ear.
I didn't realize when he stood in front of me. But his scent hit my nostril. I immediately lowered my gaze, tried to move a bit away even though my hands were tied and the guards stood behind me.
He snorted. "No woman has ever dared to sneak into this castle. Most are too afraid to even walk past the gates. And you are telling me you were just curious."
I nodded regardless of my heart beating fast. "It was just... curiosity."
He sighed. It sounded tired. Like he had seen too much. "You stalked the men. Why? To eavesdrop?"
"No." I shook my head, admitting it without excuse. "I heard they were heading to this castle for the elite assignments. I—"
Before I could finish my words, he stepped closer as he bent towards me a little and grabbed my tied hands.