Free Lost Princess by Dani-Lyn Alexander

kingdom now. Could he find the strength and courage to rule as she had? As his father had? As they would both expect of him?
    Nika leveled and skimmed across the field, inches from the barren ground. Circling the Tree of Hope, the last tree in the Kingdom of Cymmera to show any sign of life, brought a rush of pride. They were flying too fast for him to see the precious buds clinging so desperately to one branch, but he knew exactly where they were. The three buds that had held on since his mother’s death, and the three new buds that had emerged at Ryleigh’s touch. A sure sign Ryleigh’s destiny lay at his side.
    Jackson guided Nika toward the castle. It was time to take his place on the throne. Time to bury the past and move on. Time to grow up. And once all of that was taken care of, he’d seek out Ryleigh and try to fix the mess he’d made of their relationship.
    Nika landed smoothly, and Jackson patted his head before climbing down. He ran up the stone stairs and down a narrow corridor to the throne room.
    The guards bowed in acknowledgement before pulling open the massive wooden doors.
    Jackson hesitated only a moment, offering a small plea to his father for guidance—his gaze fell on the prisoner—and patience. Jackson entered the throne room, his stride purposeful. Although his footsteps echoed loudly through the stone chamber, the soldier only stiffened his spine and remained still.
    Two guards stood beside him, one on either side.
    Elijah stood before the throne facing the prisoner and Jackson.
    At Jackson’s approach, Elijah lowered himself to one knee, folded his hands over the other, and bowed his head in the traditional greeting for the king.
    Jackson usually waved off such formalities, but this time, he bowed his head in acknowledgement and ascended the throne. Only then did he turn his attention to the prisoner.
    The two guards bowed. One of them, Lucas, put his booted foot to the back of the prisoner’s knee, and together the guards forced the soldier to his knees in deference. No easy task considering the extensive way in which the man was shackled. Or the ferocity with which he fought back. It didn’t matter, though. The guards may have been able to force him to his knees, but they couldn’t wrestle the defiance or the fury from the gaze he pinned Jackson with.
    “King Maynard.” Elijah faced Jackson with the prisoner behind him staring daggers at Jackson.
    Jackson held the prisoner’s gaze.
    The man didn’t even flinch. He knelt, back straight, chin lifted in defiance. His hands were shackled together, as were his feet. A chain ran through both sets of shackles and around his waist, then down through an iron ring secured to the floor. This man’s would not be an easy spirit to break.
    Jackson would have had so much respect for the soldier, even though he’d tried to use Ryleigh as a bargaining tool…if the other man wasn’t Ryleigh’s friend. That changed everything.
    “You are dismissed, Elijah.” He allowed his gaze to shift toward Elijah.
    The prophet’s eyes widened, and his mouth fell open. “I beg your pardon, sir?”
    “I said, you are dismissed. Thank you.” He turned his attention to the two guards. “Leave us, please.”
    Lucas and the other guard looked at each other over the prisoner’s head, then looked to Elijah as if seeking permission.
    The seer nodded once, and the three men turned and left.
    When this was over, Jackson would have to establish more firmly who was in charge, though he couldn’t really blame the men for turning to Elijah for guidance. Jackson hadn’t been much of a leader since his father’s death. Well…that was all about to change.
    The clang of the heavy doors falling shut jolted Jackson from his reverie. He focused his full attention on the task at hand. “What is your name?”
    The soldier’s expression hardened, but he remained silent.
    Jackson lowered himself to the throne, weary from shouldering the burden of his responsibilities. Or