"You're an idiot if you believe Daniela will do anything but stab you in the back," Selena spat at Heather, the only one who had actually signed the contract. "She's just playing with us. Enjoying the misery."
Guinevere, Margie, and Giannina watched the exchange, their hands instinctively moving toward the parchments hidden beneath their bodices. A cold realization set in: had they waited too long? Was the game over? They had stayed loyal to their trio in hopes of all becoming queens, but the math was turning lethal. Four princes remained for six princesses. Two of them were now destined for the grave.
"One extra princess is too much left to chance," Guinevere whispered, her green eyes darkening as she looked at her friends. Of the three of them, she knew she was the most likely to survive. Her cunning had gotten her this far; it would see her through the end.
"Bella is unstable, but she's strong," Margie noted, her voice low. "Selena would be the easiest to lose her nerve." A wicked smile touched her lips, the first indication of a darker plan forming.
"Heather would be easier," Guinevere reminded them. She glanced toward Daniela, and her mind shifted gears instantly. "We need to get closer to her. She controls too much."
The golden orbs swirled around them, sensing a moment worth capturing. The other princesses looked toward the trio, sensing the shift in the air. Margie sighed and was the first to step away from the group; they didn't need the extra eyes of the Sovereigns on them yet. She curtsied ever so slightly to the hovering orb, a polite, pandering smile fixed on her face. The act made her sick, but she would do whatever it took.
The command was given to move out. In a few short hours, they would come face-to-face with the nightmare that had consumed their minds for days.
For three hours, the carriages rattled toward the mines. The sounds of battle began to drift through the stagnant air—muffled roars, the earth-shaking thuds of powerful blasts, and the screeching of monsters. When the carriages finally lurched to a halt, a Sentinel announced they would proceed on foot.
As the princesses gathered their battalions, the cracks in the ranks became visible.
"Where is he?" Fox's voice dropped to an authoritative growl. Her eyes flashed as she realized she only had three vampires in her squad. There were supposed to be four. She scanned her men with a cursory glance, but the absence stood out instantly. She aimed the question squarely at the Sentinels, expecting an answer.
"What the fuck happened?" Selena cried, her eyes turning red as she stared at her depleted group. Like Fox, she was missing manpower—a Gargoleon and a bird-beastman were gone. Her fingers weaved into her hair, curling into a fist as the urge to pull coursed through her. Her anxiety begged for the release, but she held back, forcing her hands to her sides. The golden orb, which had been floating peacefully, edged closer, eager for the show. Selena refused to play the game.
Branix stepped forward, his expression grave. "A few warriors were required to deliver word back to the Sovereigns. Information of great importance." He didn't care about the princesses' irritation at the loss of manpower.
"So many messages being delivered," Jasper remarked. His voice was as smooth as silk, but his eyes pinned Varek with immense pressure.
Varek stilled. As a vampire, very little escaped his notice, and he knew his "subtle" escape days before the hot spring massacre now looked more probative than coincidental. The camp was a breeding ground for whispers, and Jasper's gaze told him exactly how much those whispers could cost him.
Princess Fox scoffed, pointing an accusatory finger at Jeremiah, who was calmly filming. It was the first time she had openly acknowledged the presence on the other end of the orbs. "He's broadcasting back to every Royal in the Kingdom! You could have spoken through the projection if it was so urgent!"
Daniela leaned against her carriage, arms crossed, completely unfazed by the hysterics. She wore the black choker Jasper had given her, but now that her own power was surging, it felt less like a shield and more like a claim.
"Take mine. It's only three; it means nothing," Daniela offered, waving away their concerns.
The warriors in her staging area froze. None of them wanted to leave her side. Between the rumors of the bond, the massacre at the spring, and the intoxicating smell of demon power radiating from Daniela, her group was considered the only "safe" bet for survival.
"I need three volunteers," Daniela said, her eyes skipping over the demons. She waited less than thirty seconds before making the decision herself. "If you have red eyes, step forward."
The two vampires stepped out tentatively, hiding their irritation. They were unwilling to insult a princess while the Devil himself watched. She then pointed at a Gargoleon at random. "You. Go as well."
"Me?" the Gargoleon asked, stunned. "It seems more appropriate to send a beastman. Our kingdoms will share a close bond after Crown Princess Kayla marries Crown Prince Hector." He tried to force Daniela's hand, hoping the glowing orbs broadcasting their words would make her reconsider for the sake of politics.
Daniela let out a short, clipped laugh. She had no allegiance to her sister. It wasn't personal; survival simply didn't allow for entanglements, and she had left her familiar ones behind many lifetimes ago. This was survival of the fittest. Daniela was too smart to close herself off from future leverage, so she decided to play the role.
She turned her eyes upward toward Jasper. "Crown Prince Jasper, I wouldn't dare make such assumptions for your kingdom," she said, her voice softening to an ethereal, subservient tone—the kind she had seen the Queens use on their Kings.
The Gargoleon's bravado melted instantly as Jasper rested a large palm on Daniela's hip, pulling her flush against his chest. As those hollow eyes stared down at the soldier, the Gargoleon realized he had pushed too far. Before the Crown Prince could even speak, the soldier bowed his head in respect and stepped into the line of castaways.
"So efficient!" Daniela laughed, looking up at Jasper.
"Anything for my timid Princess," Jasper replied. "Timid" had no place next to Daniela, and they both knew it. He held her tighter, smiling down at her, the urge to whisk her away growing. After this, they had very few commitments left before their new life could begin.
Fox wasted no time, snatching up one of the vampires for her battalion. She bowed her head respectfully. "Thank you, Princess Daniela."
Daniela returned the gesture with ease, bowing her head ever so slightly. Selena simply rolled her eyes and marched toward her group, fuming.
Jeremiah watched it all through his orbs, capturing every ounce of tension. He pulled a shard of Atomite from his pocket and allowed it to descend into the orb. The ball of energy consumed the power, its glow intensifying as the connection to the Royal orbs strengthened. As the group began their final march toward the mines, multiple orbs hovered overhead, broadcasting every moment in real-time, ensuring nothing remained hidden from the Sovereigns' view.
Author's Note:
I mentioned it before going back to edit and fix any names that I've mixed up. For any larger changes that I make, I will do a chapter that is a quick recap of the changes made, if they are important.