Novel Palace
Chapter 24
Chapter 24
Zirah POV
The three kings leave and once they are gone, I feel like I can breathe a little easier until I turn my
attention to the King. He watches me, then turns side on in his seat giving me his full unwanted
attention while leaving one elbow on the table, his fingers drum against the mahogany wood.
“What is it you want?” King Theron asks tilting his head to the side.
“Nothing you can give me unless you know how to raise the dead,” I tell him and his eyes flicker black,
his lips pursing as he raises his chin slightly.
“Think of something else. I will give you whatever you want. I’m offering you the four kingdoms, a lavish
life full of riches and anything you could possibly desire.” The king snarls and gone is his calm
demeanor as his canines elongate. Shelley clears her throat awkwardly next to the King, and he turns
his gaze to her and sighs.
“Shelley dear, fetch me a glass of water, my throat is feeling a little dry and it is making me crabby.” the
King orders. Shelley shoots me a worried look but quickly obeys, and I wonder if this is the king’s
unstable side she mentioned earlier.
The king turns his calculating gaze back to me. “I will ask once more, what do you want?”
“Nothing, I just want to leave,” I tell him and he grits his teeth and I continue. “I don’t care for your
riches, or your sons, I can’t be bought. You had me ripped out of my bed, killed my grandmother, and
you think I would just agree to marry your sons?” I laugh. This man is insane. What person would agree Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.
to such terms, and who in their right mind would marry one of those insufferable men?
“Fine, have it your way, then. You want your freedom, I’ll grant it. But on one condition.” King Theron
tells me. I lift my chin, wondering what this condition is, yet by the flicker of his aura, from bluish-gray to
black, I can tell his condition is quite sinister.
“Malachi!” The King yells and Malachi jumps in the room's corner where he stands. He takes a step
forward and I watch the two exchange in some silent conversation.
Malachi clenches his teeth. “But my King–”
“Do as I ask. I won’t be questioned. She won the maze she gets to choose her prize and if that is
freedom, so be it.” Malachi’s eyes flick to me and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. He
quickly bows to the King.
“Ten minutes, make sure it is done!” the King orders as he turns.
“Yes, my King.” Malachi rushes off just as Shelley returns to the dining hall. She nervously hands the
crystal glass full of ice water to the King. He takes it and motions toward the table.
“Are you hungry?” I shake my head. I was starving before, yet after seeing Malachi’s nervousness and
the way he ran from the room. My appetite is suddenly gone.
“Shelley, go to my safe and fetch a bag of gold, also prepare a bag for Zirah here. Also, tell my sons
they can enter.” the King says and her eyes move between me and the King. She bows her head and
quickly rushes off while I turn to the King just as the doors are shoved open. King Regan, Lyon and
Zeke saunter into the room and retake their seats.
“So, are we allowed to have any input about this?” King Regan asks. The King shakes his head.
Reaching for some grapes. He pops two red grapes between his lips and chews slowly, watching me.
Butterflies swarm in my stomach nervously under the intensity of his gaze. Something telling me it is
off. My intuition tingles violently and I don’t like the way he is watching me.
“No, Zirah here refuses to marry any of you and asked for her freedom. Since I am obligated to grant
her a prize, I shall free her.” the King tells his sons. I glance at them and King Regan smiles and folds
his arms across his chest while leaning back in his chair. However, Zeke leans forward.
“Fine, but she can’t leave with my wolf.”
My eyes flick down to Hunter sitting at my feet. “I’ll ensure she gives him back. We leave in ten
minutes, so if you’re hungry eat, we’ll be going on foot.” The King says. The Three kings glance at each
other, looking confused, but don’t argue with their father. I pick at my food, mainly feeding it to Hunter
while receiving death glares from Zeke.
When Shelley returns with a leather pouch in her hand and backpack over one shoulder, the King rises
from his chair, signaling the end of the meal.
“One condition, then you’re free to leave.” the King says. My brows scrunch and the three kings look at
me in question.
“What is this condition?” King Lyon asks.
“You’ll see when we arrive. Malachi is organizing it.” the King states, his eyes straight ahead. He walks
toward the huge double doors and stops. Shelley rushes to fit his cape to his shoulders and hands him
a huge golden staff. The three brothers whisper amongst themselves while I rise from my seat.
“Follow Zirah. You have a choice to make; then you’re free to leave. So hurry along, dear, I have not
got all night.” the King says. I pat my leg, and Hunter follows me. When I approach the King, he offers
me his arm. My eyes move to Shelley, and she inclines her head, telling me to do as he asks.
Slipping my arm through his; I walk alongside the King, yet as we pass through the castle I find it is
deadly silent. Guards watch us as the King leads me out the grand front doors and down some steps.
He then leads me down a narrow red cobble path between the gardens to the high-pointed fences.
As we approach the guards, they open the enormous iron gates that are wrapped in vines with
blooming pink flower buds.
“Where are you taking us, father? I must leave soon?” King Regan questions.
“I told you, leaving is out of the question, now be quiet, son.” the King growls. We walk for another five
minutes along a private path when I hear hushed voices. Then the sounds of sobs and pleas reach my
ears.
Looking toward Shelley, she has her head hung, and I can see she is trying to hide her tears. I swallow,
wondering what it is that upset her. I am not left wondering for long when I am led through giant
sandstone pillars onto a stage in what appears to be a massive town square.
Guards line the streets, and people are crying and begging. The King lets go of my arm and raises his
hand in the air. The moment the people notice him, they drop to one knee, heads bowed.
“I’m sure you’re wondering why you’ve been called upon today.” the King’s voice booms out loudly
when I look at the crowd, only then do I realize the guards are barricading the streets, trying to stop
people from getting near the stage. Looking down, I find all those kneeling before the stage are women.