The Shadow Prince Read Free

decrees—universal laws that all four courts obeyed. Two bare-chested, burly knights moved out of the way as we came to stand in front of a golden entrance.
    I pushed against the heavy metal door, stepping into the massive throne room. Inside, dozens of fire elementals stood in clusters. Elementals ranging from over-sized ogres to nasty little goblins. Then, somewhere in the middle, there were the more human-looking elementals like me. None of them turned when we entered; each focused on something in the center of the room.
    Hovering above everyone else on a throne made of lava rocks sat my mother, Prisma. Even without her crown, she stood out. Her wavy brown hair hung low down her back. She wore a gown with a strapless red bodice, and a skirt made of black feathers. The feathers likely came from the wings of an unlucky elemental in our court. Noticeably absent were my adopted siblings who were typically at her side.
    Mother's light green eyes were wide with excitement as she peered down at something I couldn’t see. We fought our way through the crowd only to be startled by what we saw.
    Two Gabriel Hounds circled each other. Their sleek black fur covered in bloody gashes and cuts, as if they’d been fighting for a while. Except for their fiery red eyes, they resembled large panthers. The room shook when one of them growled, explaining the noise I’d heard earlier. A second later, the same hound lunged forward. His teeth bit into his challenger’s leg, collapsing him to the ground. The hound let out a wail of agony. Marcus hissed.
    I glanced at him. “You okay, man?” I asked, noticing the concern all over his face.
    He didn't answer.
    The hound who delivered the blow strolled away, assuming the fight was over. Big mistake. While his attention was elsewhere, the wounded hound leaped to his feet. He dove on top of the hound, rolling him onto his back. His sharp teeth sunk into his throat, tearing into his skin. My stomach churned. As a puddle of blood grew around them, the crowd inhaled a collective breath. Once the Gabriel Hound shrunk back into his mortal form, it was clear he was dead. He couldn't have been more than a teenager. Rousing applause broke out in every corner.
    The winning hound shifted back into a dark skinned, muscular mortal form. He was double the size of his competitor. When he turned in our direction, I realized it was Marcus’s father. Fire elementals rushed the stage, stepping over the fresh corpse.
    Marcus ran his fingers through his brown curls. “My father has never been beaten.”
    “I wouldn't want to take him on.” I said, trying to lighten the mood.
    “Neither would I.”
    “What is this I see?” My mother’s unmistakable voice silenced the room. “Has my son finally returned to me?”
    After years of rejection, I’d accepted that my mother wasn’t capable of traditional love. She saw love as a weakness. Only the most feared could rule. “I was just enjoying the entertainment,” I said, pointing to the trampled corpse. I thought this was completely barbaric. Forcing the hounds to fight to the death was another way to keep them from being seen as equals in our court. “This is quite a welcoming party.”
    She stood, eyes squinted. “Come closer so I can see you.”
    Without a word, Marcus joined the group of hounds. His father noticed him, but didn’t acknowledge him. The rest of the crowd parted as I headed toward her.
    Tension built in my chest as the potent scent of blood and burnt flesh filled the air. Elementals whispered as I passed, followed by winks and seductive smiles. News must have spread that I'd be on the throne soon. Now, they would covet for my attention.
    When I reached the bottom of the throne steps, I bowed. “You summoned me, Your Majesty.” She insisted I address her formally.
    Tapping her fingers against her arm rest, she asked, “Are you happy to be home amongst your kin?”
    I didn’t see how anyone could truly be happy while living in fear. Once I