Deadly Lovers (The Prussia Series) by Karisha Prescott

sized him up. He offered a hand out to me which I observed but didn’t accept.
     
    “Now, Prussia,” said Queen Victoria, “We really must observe the niceties of war if we are to remain civilized,”
     
    I hesitated. Robert’s hand was still outstretched to me but his face cringing as he looked at my arms, my hands, coated in black and red, the different stages of  torture on my arms. I slowly lifted my arm and held out my hand, feeling the trickle of blood dripping off of my fingertips, the glisten pulling Robert’s eyes too them.
     
    “It’s fine-” offered Robert, pulling his hand back a fraction.
     
    But I didn’t let his hand retreat. I grabbed his hand firmly. I squeezed Robert’s hand and pumped it several times. Even when I had stopped shaking his hand, I didn’t let go. I squeezed hard. I gritted my teeth and the whites of my eyes expanded as I considered the idea of justice for Robert. Could I be as strong as the Queen had been and recuse myself from that situation or would I jump at the opportunity?
     
    I would like to think I would recuse myself. But just below that thought was the truth. It wouldn’t have been a stretch to have found me leaping at a chance to dish out a dose or two of justice to Robert, repaying kindness with like kindness and all.
     
    Robert wrestled his hand away from mine and tried to rub it clean. The residual blood streaked the palms of his hands in crimson and black. The cringe was deep in his face as he looked at those streaks. He hadn’t wanted to shake my hand because he didn’t want to get dirty. He didn’t want to get blood on his hands. It made me snort as I stood there looking him over.
     
    Robert looked at me sharply. I kept my same steady stare. I waited for him to challenge me, to question me, to be offended or insulted. But he didn’t say anything. He pulled a napkin out of his pocket and continued wiping his hands, as though I had inconvenienced and sullied his dignified hand. I rolled my eyes. How foolish had I been? How foolish was I to fall in love with such a man-boy? I looked to the Queen and watched her as she went back around my desk to sit on my chair, perfectly at home watching Robert and I interact.
     
    “You’re aware that Princess Prussia is my heir to the throne?” asked the Queen, “Married to my grandson, Prince Sebastian?”
     
    That got Robert’s attention which I found interesting. Robert glanced at me several times as he cleaned his hands, quick and brief. He nodded his head, acknowledging what the Queen said but he still didn’t say anything. My heart struck a funny chord as I realized why Robert was behaving so strangely, not speaking, avoiding eye contact, head lowered slightly. He was scared of me. I could hardly believe it. And I grinned from ear to ear as I continued to see his fear in every motion, movement, and moment of silence.
     
    “You’ll have to excuse the Princess,” said the Queen with a hand wave in my direction and her gaze fixed on Robert, “she is not yet accustomed to transitioning from Judge, Jury, and executioner, into a more…diplomatic and presentable r ole in our court,”
     
    Queen Victoria smiled and shook her head as if I had arrived ill-dressed for a social function and not covered in blood. Still, Robert mirrored Queen Victoria’s smile and nodded without a word. Even Queen Victoria appeared annoyed with the one sided conversation she was being forced to carry on with smiles and gestures. I saw her smile waver and heard the slightest of sighs.
     
    “Robert is here on business, on behalf of Queen Patricia,” said Queen Victoria, “in an attempt to recover…assets in our court,”
     
    “Is that what you call spies around here?” I asked, the smile still on my face and blood dripping from my fingertips hovering at my sides.
     
    “Prussia,” warned the Queen.
     
    “This is true,” said Robert, clearing his voice several times, “I’m here to collect Duke Rutlidge, most