He takes two steps into the throne room before crumpling onto the red carpet.
A tight fist of grief clutches at my heart. I rush forward to the screen. “What are they doing to him?”
The girls break formation and gather around the prince. Garrett sprints down the steps with his father. Queen Damascena rises from her throne and turns to Dr. Ridgeback, who shakes her head. If they’re not hurting him, then who’s responsible?
Georgette appears at my side. “I’m sure the palace physician—”
One of the girls falls on top of Prince Kevon, followed by another, and another, and another. Garrett’s father falls. Then Garrett. Then General Ridgeback. Then the doctor.
Master Thymel stands on Georgette’s other side with his hand on his chest. “Poisoned gas?”
“I…” My voice cracks. What’s happening to them? “I don’t know.”
Guards in black rush forward, some stepping over the girls to reach Queen Damascena. She clutches a handkerchief to her nose and rushes down the steps but tumbles into the arms of a guard. I shake my head from side to side as even the guards fall.
Then the screen goes black.
“What. Was. That?” Chiffon turns to Georgette and me.
My mouth opens and closes, but I make no sound.
“Welcome to the New Phangloria,” says a female voice I’ve heard a hundred times. Carolina’s face appears on the wall screen. “If you are still watching this, it means we have not yet judged you as a person of oppression.”
Master Thymel drops to the floor.
All the air leaves my lungs in a shocked breath. Georgette and the twins kneel at his side, and sounds of anguish fill the workshop. I glance from Master Thymel to the screen, where Carolina warns the other Echelons to fall in line or face the wilderness.
Behind her stand Ryce, Vitelotte, her brother, and a few Harvesters I recognize from Rugosa.
Shards of information that didn’t make sense come together like pieces of a broken plate. The Red Runner’s cache of advanced weapons. The underground control room in Rugosa. The communication and surveillance devices.
I wondered how Harvesters would get such items when we didn’t have enough water, but when I asked, Carolina brushed aside my question.
“Is he alright?” I kneel beside Georgette.
Chiffon raises her head and stares at me through tear-stained eyes. “He’s breathing, but for how long?”
Back on the wall screen, people wearing Harvester uniforms march into the throne room and drag the girls through a back door. They move with the precision and efficiency I’ve never seen on anybody from my Echelon, not even from Carolina or Vitelotte.
Now I know why Ambassador Pascale selected me to join the Princess Trials. It wasn’t because I made him laugh. He knew I was a Red Runner and wanted to help me complete my mission. Then when Prince Kevon and I fell in love, he wanted me to be the queen.
The Amstraad Republic has been backing the Red Runners.
Determination thrums through my veins, and I tighten my hands into fists. With the Red Runners in charge, I might just be able to infiltrate the palace and rescue Prince Kevon.
END OF BOOK TWO
READ BOOK THREE
The Rebel: A Princess Trials Story
What does Ryce Wintergreen really think about Zea?
Discover his point of view in The Rebel:
http://rebel.theprincesstrials.com
The Gauntlet: A New Dystopian Series
There are two types of people.
The hunters and the hunted.
In a society that takes ownership of children for the debts of their parents, the only way to freedom is running the Gauntlet—a televised tournament of death.
Sixteen-year-old Calida never meant to become a participant, but a misplaced word hurtles her into a desperate fight for survival.
Despite fearing for her life, she becomes drawn to Griffin, an enigmatic contestant with a rebellious spirit. But with alliances forming and breaking with every turn, who can she trust in this dangerous game of action, betrayal and romance?
The Gauntlet is book one of an exciting new dystopian romance for fans of The Princess Trials.
Preorder for 99c!
http://gauntlet.theprincesstrials.com
The Princess Trials
When the revolution comes, border guards won’t harass Harvester girls and water will be available to everyone—not just the Nobles. Until then, it’s just me and my poison darts.
The Princess Trials
The Princess Games
The Princess Crown
Sign up for Cordelia’s mailing list
http://subscribepage.com/theprincesstrials
Cordelia Castel’s Books
The Seven Kingdoms Series
Cinderella swaps her glass slippers for combat boots. A high fantasy series based within a world of fairytale villains.
The Magestaff
The Academy
The Witch-Hunt
The Betrothal
The Usurper
The Banishment
The Kingdom
The Frozen Heart
The Bluebird
The Princesses
Dragon Mage Academy Series
She bonded with a dragon condemned to death. Now she must save the realm from an ancient evil.
Princess of Dragons
Poacher of Dragons
Plague of Dragons
Protector of Dragons
Prisoner of Dragons
Pariah of Dragons
Patron of Dragons
Dreamer of Dragons Series
When a dying dragonet cries out for help, Ashira thinks it’s a dream, but consorting with dragons will either lead to adventure or execution.
The Dragonet
The Rapier
Writing as Delia E Castel
Curse of the Fae King Series
She bargained her maidenhead, but he will steal her heart. A fantasy romance for fans of Sarah J. Maas.
Curse of the Fae King
Mate of the Fae King
Darkbloods Series
Vampires are our enemies. So, why can’t I slay Alaric? When my slayer sisters left me for dead on a routine hunt, only one man came to the rescue.
Alaric Severin is a master vampire who awoken a desire within me that I can’t resist.
Vampire Bonds
Vampire Blade
Thanks for reading!
