Read Online Lost Princess by Dani-Lyn Alexander - Free Book Online Page A

dies.”
    Ryleigh lifted her head. “It’s all right, Jackson. It’s my fault. I got to close. I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.” She fought to catch her breath, and stutter some sort of explanation before this situation spiraled any further out of control. If that was even possible.
    Jackson gritted his teeth together and clenched his fists.
    She would have to stop rambling if she was going to calm him down. “Please. Jackson. It’s okay. I know him.” She held his gaze, determined to make him understand. “He’s…a…uh…” She glanced back at Noah, haunted by the past. “A friend.”
    * * * *
    Jealous rage tore through Jackson, shattering whatever tentative measure of control he’d managed to attain. He launched himself at the cage. The other man backed away, a knowing smirk plastered across his face.
    Jackson altered his course, moving to the far corner of the corridor. He pulled a lever and the bars began to lift. The grinding of the gears drowned out any other sound as the front of the cage began a slow ascent into the stone above it. He returned and stood in front of Noah, held the soldier’s gaze as the bars lifted. Waiting didn’t lessen his fury. If anything, having to control his temper only increased his agitation. At least watching that smart-ass grin disappear brought some small degree of satisfaction.
    Instead of fear settling in the other man’s eyes as they held Jackson’s, eagerness flared as he chanced a quick glance at the ever increasing gap at the bottom of his prison. Didn’t this guy realize he didn’t stand a chance against a Death Dealer?
    No.
    Reality sucker punched Jackson in the gut. Of course he didn’t. The other man had no idea where he was or what had happened to him.
    Silence echoed in Jackson’s ears as the bars abruptly stopped. He didn’t dare turn his back on his prisoner, not even for a second when the bars reversed direction.
    “King Maynard.” Elijah’s voice held a stern note of warning.
    Jackson ignored it. He locked eyes with the prisoner, sensing the man’s decision in the instant before he acted.
    The prisoner dove. No way was he fast enough. The bars hadn’t lifted far enough to allow him to roll through, but he did give it his best shot, coming to rest on the ground against the front of the cage. Frustration pulsed with the vein at the side of his head, colored his cheeks as he lay limp against the bars.
    Jackson checked the urge to tear the bars apart and pounce on him. He might not have acknowledged Elijah’s warning, but he wasn’t foolish enough to ignore it. Fine. So be it. “Elijah, escort the prisoner to the throne room.”
    “Sir?”
    He pinned Elijah with his hardest stare.
    “I mean, of course, sir.” Elijah didn’t even wince, his gaze rock steady as it held Jackson’s.
    “Let’s go, Ryleigh.” He turned and started toward the door.
    “Go where?” The anger in her voice brought him up short.
    He stopped in his tracks and turned slowly back toward her, struggling valiantly to subdue the rage. And failing miserably. He gritted his teeth, bit back the fury. “Does it matter?”
    She lifted her chin, defiance evident in the gesture. “Jackson…don’t…”
    Was that a warning? His fist tightened. He raised his hand, the movement abrupt.
    Ryleigh flinched, eyes wide as she lifted her arm in defense.
    He froze, his clenched fist hanging in the air between them. A tidal wave of emotions slammed into his chest, shredding the last bit of control he’d held onto.
    Shock and fear battled for a place in her expression. “I—”
    “Save it.” He lowered his hand and turned away, effectively dismissing her. “Bring the prisoner.” He stared straight ahead and strode from the chamber, somehow managing to keep from killing anyone. No easy task.
    Jackson pressed his fists to his eyes, moving blindly through the narrow corridor. How could she think he would ever strike her? How could she have reacted that way? It had been pure