Princess of the Damned Read Free Page A

movement and flew away. The glowing butterflies were a spectacle on their own. Music began to play and the delicate flower moved with the rhythm. The butterflies returned and scattered away with the flower’s movement.
    Sayan lit the lights on the stage.
    Nala emerged from the dark, from a glowing violet flower into a beautiful woman. Her long platinum hair reflected the candlelight as she danced with the butterflies. Her graceful and fluid movements gained awe from the audiences. The nobles began to throw jewelry and gold coins at her feet.
    When the dance was over, the light returned to the room. The madam came out to introduce the next dancers, but the crowd demanded to see another dance from the platinum haired girl. Sayan’s job was to pick up the gold coins and jewelry on the stage. After he was sure to collect them all, he returned to Nala’s dressing room.
    “ The people of the Red City sure are rich, even though the rest of the world is in chaos.” He showed her the bag of goods that was thrown on the stage. “I didn’t expect them to have this much to give to dancers.”
    “ Did I do well?”
    Sayan smiled. “The madam may request you do another dance. She is under a lot of pressure to.”
    “ She won’t do that.” Nala said confidently. “No matter how beautifully I dance, people will get bored eventually. She wants the nobles to return for another show. She is craftier than you think.”
    Sayan chuckled.
    “ Nala…” The madam stood at the door.
    Nala smiled at her.
    “ Nala, you have got to help me.”
    “ Yes, madam?”
    “ The prime minister’s son…he…” The madam struggled to convey her sentence. “The prime minister’s son wants you to serve him tonight.”
    Sayan shot a glare at her.
    “ I couldn’t refuse, I even told him that you don’t…he threatens to have us all killed!”
    “ I was expecting something like this would happen…” Nala said after a moment of silence.
    “ Nala, you are not going to go, are you?” Sayan asked with concern.
    “ I have to go or we will all be killed.”
    “ No!” Sayan grabbed her hand and squeezed it tight.
    “ Tell him that I will come tonight, but first I need time to prepare myself.”
    “ Thank you!” The madam hugged Nala. “Thank you so much!”
    “ Nala…” Sayan looked down at her. “Don’t go.”
    Nala smiled at him and patted his hand. “Trust that I know how to take care of myself and wait for me at the wagon.”
    He pulled his hand away and then angrily left the room. He needed some air to rethink the situation. Worst case, they would have to run away, but the rest of the caravan may have to face execution. He didn’t want that, but he didn’t want Nala to be hurt even more. Screw it, if he had to choose, it would always be Nala.
    When he returned to the dressing room, she was already gone.
    Where had she gone? Did she go to that prime minister’s son’s place? It felt like someone was setting a fire beneath him. The only thought that entered his mind was that he must find her.
     
    Nala walked through the forbidden zone of the city – forbidden to women that is. She concealed her body with the cloak so that she could move efficiently through the streets without catching any unwanted attention. There were many men who were seeking pleasure and there were even more women who were more than willing to provide. None of these women would do.
    She entered a small shop with two bulky men guarding the door. There was a beautiful woman sitting by the counter.
    “ How can I help you?” the woman asked.
    Nala placed a bag of coins on the table. “I want a job flawlessly executed.”
    “ You came to the right place.” The woman weighed the bag of coins in her hand. “This is a lot of gold. What do you need done?”
    “ It is a dangerous job that may get us killed if not done correctly. Are you still interested?”
    The woman laughed. “We specialize in jobs that may get us killed. Tell me, what do you need