64 The Prince takes Control Part 1 (1/1)
”Well, anyone want to tell me where my daughter is?” Clovis asked with a dangerously friendly smile. His father coughed, a bit surprised to feel the amount of intimidation flooding off hisson's aura. A guard he recognized as Avis stepped forwardand bowed to him.
”Princess Raina is still missing. We have searched the grounds and thehouse. We found a fairy who apparently has seen herbut…” he trailed off as the fire in Clovis' eyes darkenedand the air around him seemed to crackle with energy.The guard shrunk back.
”Are you telling me, my daughter has been missinglong enough for you to organize and run a full palace sweep andI am JUST NOW hearing about it! When did she go missing?” he demanded his voice at a low growl as his eyes turnedon his father.
”Princess Raina went missing at breakfast, Fourth Prince.” little Nathanieloffered, he and his brother having refused to leave till Raina was found. The prince looked at the boys and nodded, forcing himself to actwith restraint toward the young ones. It wasn't their fault the adults were engaged in this absurd feud.
”Are you telling me that for the second time this week my daughter has gone missingunder the care of our First Queen?” Clovis asked. He suddenlybecame extremely calm and… began to laugh. It was a cold laugh, void of any humor. A laugh of disbelief and disappointment.
”It wasn'tFirst QueenKira's fault! That child wandered off. She is ill behaved and disobedient!” Kira's handmaid accused angrily. She couldn'tbelieve they wouldpush these accusations on her mistress.However, being a maid she never truly expected those steel grey eyes filledwith murderous intent to turnon her. In that moment, there was no one to protect her from the force of bis wrath. Electricity sparking across her skin angrily.
”Oh? Do tell me whichpart of that is a surprise? The princess is fouryears old. Children wander off. They disobey.Your job as the adult is to correct it and teach her better. Using the fact that she didn't stay where she was put is pitiful excuse to neglect one's duty.” the words were spat from his mouth as he glared at the maid. There was nothing she could say in response, becausehis eyes trapped any rebuttal inher throat. If looks couldkill he had no doubtshe would be without a heart or soul at the moment.
”Clovis be reasonable. The Queen has so many children to watchafter. How can she be blamed for this? It was a accident.” Queen Fae tried to soothe him. Once, long ago she had a good relationship withClovis. He had been close to her eldest son, and the pair had been perfect brothers. However, thatrelationship was long since destroyedbetweenClovis and Fae though he was still close to his elder brother.
”Then explain to me why both times she has made a mistake it has been my daughter whopays the price? If she isn'tup to the task she should give it up so someone competent can be put in her place.” Clovis replied his voicenow cool and calm yet it seemed even more powerful than if he was yelling at her. The Emperornodded slowly.
”Clovis, let us worry about locatingRaina first. The first Queen will be punished accordinglyI assure you.” The Emperor replied, knowingthe focus had to be changed or blood would be spilt. There was no where for this conversation to go and end well. Queen Kira wanted to object, she had done nothing wrong, but she thought better of it.
”Yourright. So what does the fairy know?” Clovis asked turning on the tiny trembling creature that was the last to see his daughter that morning. The fairy curled into a ball in its tiny iron cage. Her magic did not workwithin and the iron snapped her strength.
”Nothing yet.” The Emperor replied shaking his head. ”the creaturemay as well be dead.”
Clovisshook his head and took the Iron cage.The little sprite looked up at him, tears in her pale blue eyes. Purple wisps of hair floating around her face as the color drained from her skin. He opened thecage door and she fluttered her wings to try and escape but only lifted a little into the air. She couldn'teven muster the power to escape the iron cage. While the others watched him, he took her from the cage, setting the lotus fairy on his palm.