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Chapter Fourteen

After declaring war on my sister, I was reminded I didn't have a plan. So, I decided to call a meeting to create one.

I pointed at the chalk board on the wall. "Plan, "Tear Emilia's Face off" now commences."

Sena, with his feet resting on his desk; raised a hand. "Um, I have question?"

"Yes?"

"How did you get approval to have a meeting in the Magic studies classroom," he waved his hand to the room at large. "Aren't they usually having class at this time?"

"I bribed the teacher."

I didn't really think my memory would come in handy but all those times I'd spent reading the news paper searching for topics to discuss with my ex had come in handy.

"Last semester his top student found out she was pregnant. Shortly after she, shall we say, disappeared."

"What?!"

Boros who'd been snuck in, along with everyone else; knocked his knuckles against the table. He'd been adamant about sitting at the teachers desk. "Hey, hey, if you're just shocked about that you're never going to make it."

Boros had to be my bastard half-brother. Every time he spoke it was like he was reading my mind.

"Exactly! Anyway, let's stay focused on how I'm going to ruin my sisters life," I said as I tapped the pointer against the board.

"Part One of the plan has already started, declaring myself her enemy."

Scarlette cleared her throat, and hesitantly raised her hand. "Your majesty, I think you had already established the tense relationship when we met them in the garden."

"Tsk, tsk, no Scarlette that was me remembering that I wanted to destroy them. Like an appetizer that was to come. When I was trying to kill—I mean, teach those boys a lesson is when I made the declaration."

"We were there," Celios said rolling his eyes. He stood leaning against the wall near the windows. "So, you want to what? Kill, Maim or ruin your sister."

I would like to do it all but one must stay focused or it would cause too much confusion. "Hm, for now irritate and steal her treasures pride. Maybe even crush it."

Celios snorted, "Your need to destroy them seems personal. Have you ever met any of them before this?"

"Can't I just hate her," I asked feigning innocent. "Some people just make my skin crawl, like Third Brother. When I see him my skin itches, that's why I burned down his cabin."

"You what," Sena exclaimed.

I waved him off. "It's a long story."

"It's really not," Celio disagreed.

"Very short," Dalton added his two cents. Traitor.

"Enough, this is what we're going to do. I have a list of people I need to bribe—I mean befriend to gain my own treasury."

"I heavily doubt you mean befriend," Boros muttered.

Walking over to my bag that sat on the teachers desk, I picked it up and pulled out four papers. Going over to the desk in the center of the room, I placed them atop it.

Everyone, even Scarlette walked over and looked down at the profiles I'd stayed up making.

"Him," Sena stared at one of the profiles. "But He—," "I know."

"Aren't you—," "Yep."

Sena sent me a pleading look. "You're going to—," "All the way."

"Um, for the rest of the class what's wrong with this guy," Celios picked up the paper and waved it around. "Is there a reason you shouldn't be picking him?"

I grabbed it from him. "Amoux Thayer, just happens to be the bastard of Zilo's father. Which would technically make him another defeated prince."

Dalton expression darkened as his snatched the paper from me. "Princess, didn't you just mock his brother?"

I ignored the fact he'd snatched the paper from me.

I'd make him pay for it later.

"He and his brother have a terrible relationship. For one, Zilo is an arrogant piece of shit," "Princess, your words," Scarlette chided.

"The two escaped and managed to find refuge here from the Estonik soldiers. Since then, one has been desperate to gather strength and take back his country. The other goes about things a bit differently."

If memory served, Amoux was like Charney in his effort to build an information network but instead of merchants he built it through assassins guilds. Known to some as the De Tacita he killed many of Emilias enemies and rivals due to his brother request. Shortly before I'd found out I was pregnant he'd returned to his foreign nation with both the money and numbers. It wasn't long before we heard he was crowned King of Peruvia and Estonik. Because of his support Emelia was able to show off her connections and get trade deals with the ring of kingdoms in the north-west.

At the time I'd always found him intimidating, and could see that Zilo barely treated him as a friend. Instead, their relationship seemed more business-like.

"No one messes with him. He's beaten enough people that the only people willing to deal with him are Zilo's and Emilia," Sena explained. "The last time we had mock battles he broke a counts sons arm and nearly broke the teach neck when he tried to discipline him for it."

"Oh, then that means the only people he talks to are those two. Perfect, he won't see me coming."

Celios waved a hand at me., "Princess, he only talks to Zilos and your sister. They might've already told him what you said."

I tossed a bag on the table, the top popped open revealing pieces of gold coins. "Unlike those two fools, Amoux has more earthly desires." I smiled and tapped the table. "Sena, take this to him and tell him I have job for him. And if he's willing to meet me, I'll pay him just for hearing me out."

Dalton leaned over and whispered. "Princess, didn't the emperor take the money you stole to force you to stay on campus."

I whispered back, "He didn't get the jewels or the ring," I flashed it where it sat on my finger. "Too bad for him, I took out a couple of thousand form the royal bank."

Straightening, I swept the papers up and flicked a wrist toward the board. "We've decided on a form of action. Let's go get something to eat."

**

When I sent Sena to get Amoux, I thought he'd take some time before he'd come see me.

I was mistaken.

The soft moon dusted white highlights through the black locs of Amoux hair. His body aligned with mine as his hands held mine above my head. The sharp features of his face were completely exposed to my wandering eyes.

He stared into my eyes, with his dark, nearly black, orbs.

"Your trouble, I can smell it," his voice was low and husky.

This hadn't been apart of my plans. "And you're dangerous. Should I scream?"

Shifting, he pressed his larger body against mine as he tilted his head. "You can."

He lowered his head, so that our noses were nearly touching. "I'll be finished long before someone hears you."

My stomach tightened in fear, but I would never let anyone see me scared again so I smiled. "Then, do your worst but shouldn't you grant me one request first?"

"Request, sure. What do you want princess?"

"I want a kiss," I lowered my lashes hiding my eyes form his. "I've never had one before."

He chuckled. I felt the sound against my stomach. "A kiss? Sure thing."

My lips curled into a smile. Poor him, if he only knew that someone stood outside my door who enjoyed playing more than me.

I closed my eyes and lifted my chin, "Please."

I felt his cool lips brush my lips.

The door burst open and Boros entered followed by Celios and Dalton who circled my bed.

"Seventh Princess?!"

Amoux pushed away from me, but I wrapped my legs around his hips. He cursed and glared down at me like a leashed beast. "You!"

I stretched my arms above my head with a pleased groan. "My father, the emperor has warned my knights that any man who dares to lay with me would suffer beheading and the annihilation of his family down to the last child." I grinned up at him. "Now, Amoux. What are you willing to trade for your life?"

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