Princess Avenger - Brightcastle Saga Book 1 Read Online Free

breath and squared her
shoulders. The prince’s expression had moved from one of pride in
his daughter to distaste.
    “I am sorry,
Father,” Alecia said, her voice breathy without her even trying to
make it so. “I haven’t eaten since breakfast and felt
light-headed.” She turned to the captain and stared into the
buttons on his chest. “Thank you. I am now recovered.”
    “Vard Anton at
your service, Your Highness,” he said, his voice rumbling through
her core. “Allow me.” He pulled the nearest chair from the table
and seated her before bowing and returning to his seat.
    “ I hope
you are well, Princess Alecia,” Lord Finus said. The advisor’s
smile didn’t quite reach his cold dark eyes. He hadn’t moved a muscle when she had
stumbled.
    Alecia
nodded at the despicable man and returned her attention to her
father. No
need to panic.
    Prince Zialni
stared at Alecia and for a moment she thought her carefully wrought
schemes would come crashing down, but then he smiled. “Our guest
tonight, Alecia, is Captain Vard Anton, recently come into my
service as captain of my guard. Your cousin Piotr recommended
him.”
    Yes, but why
is he here? Alecia thought.
    “ It’s an
honor to make your acquaintance, Princess.” Captain Anton’s black
hair brushed the collar of his dark gray uniform and his eyes
glowed faintly. The room was quite dim. If she stayed far enough
away, he might not recognize her. Her heart fell at the stupidity
of her thoughts. He knows, he has to.
    Alecia nodded,
keeping her eyes downcast. “Thank you again for your help,
Captain.”
    “Let us enjoy
our meal and afterwards, Anton, you and I will talk,” Prince Zialni
said.
    Alecia
let out her breath then began to worry about the subject of her
father’s conversation. Please, Goddess, let it just be
business . She shook her
head and glanced up to find the captain’s eyes upon her.
    The meal
arrived at that moment: warm crusty bread with spicy vegetable
soup, roast pheasant and boiled potatoes. Alecia had started on her
soup before her father cleared his throat.
    “Captain Anton
will think us uncouth if we do not give thanks, Daughter,” he said,
his brows drawn in disapproval. “If you would be so kind,
Alecia.”
    Her face grew
hot. How could she be such a ninny as to draw further attention to
herself? She crossed her arms over her chest, hands on shoulders,
and bowed her head. “May the Mother who shelters all continue to
bestow her benevolence upon us, Praise her Holy Name.”
    The men echoed
her words. “Praise her Holy Name.”
    Alecia shot a
glance at her father and saw speculation in his eyes. He would
wonder at her odd behaviour. She lowered her head to the meal and
didn’t raise it until the servant came to clear the dishes. Dried
and sweetened fruit with thick custard completed the meal.
    “Take care,
Daughter,” the prince said. “A healthy appetite is frowned upon in
a good wife; it spoils the figure. One day soon we shall have to
find a husband for you and I would not wish you to make the task
more difficult.”
    This
time the heat in Alecia’s skin was generated from anger as much as
embarrassment. How dare he mock me?
    The captain
sat, his posture stiff, an unreadable expression on his face. “I
don’t believe it will be difficult to find a husband for a daughter
with such obvious charms,” he said, his eyes lifting to hers.
    Alecia flashed
Captain Anton a smile at the compliment but gratitude was soon
replaced by irritation. They discussed her as though she were a
prize cow. She cleared her throat, intent on forestalling the
subject of her betrothal. Her father spoke first.
    “Perhaps you
can help me in that task, Captain,” the prince said.
    Alecia
choked on her wine, appalled at the turn of the conversation. She
looked at the captain. If he was stiff before, he now appeared
ready to fight -- was it
attack or defence he anticipated?
    “I don’t
understand, Your Highness,” Vard Anton said.
    “Be at