Prisoner of Darkhaven by EMMA PAUL Read Free Book Online Page B

expression very confused
    and a bit guarded.
    "Who is she?"
    Elise arched her brows. Who is she? She looked at the king then at
    DeMumart, back to the King. DeMumart huffed loudly.
    He rolled his eyes, "The girl from the village who passed your
    tests."
    "My tests?" The King looked even more bewildered.
    DeMumart stepped up to the dais and leaned down to whisper in
    the King's ear.
    After a long moment, King Horace motioned her closer.
    "Duke Mumart..."
    "DE-Mumart ... Sire." The Duke looked quite irritated.
    The King glanced up at him. He nodded like a child accepting his
    discipline. "De-Mumart, has advised me that you have proven
    yourself worthy to be my wi..."
    Before he could finish, DeMumart sunk his nails in the king's
    shoulder, causing obvious discomfort. He bent low again and
    whispered something else in the King's ear.
    Horace blinked and cleared his throat, "It would appear something
    is amiss, Lady Alice."
    "Elise!" DeMumart nearly bellowed. He dug his nails further into
    the king's bony shoulder.
    This time Horace flinched, but made no attempt to loosen the
    Duke's grip.
    "Yes ... ahh Elise. Well you a ... see..." he reached up with a
    shaking hand and tugged on the Duke's coat, "What exactly is amiss?"
    Frustrated with the King, Duke DeMumart raked a hand though his
    hair and stepped in front of the still highly bewildered King. "It
    would appear that his Majesty does not feel you have yet proven
    yourself worthy to be his Queen."
    It suddenly occurred to Elise what was going on. "Perhaps you
    should give the King time to rest before making any decision. He
    appears to be quite stricken."
    DeMumart traveled his unnerving glare over Elise, head to foot.

    43

    "The King is in perfect health..."
    He hissed the words at Elise, quite affronted that she would
    challenge any authority; he obviously had over the King. The King
    seemed to be under some kind of trance, or perhaps influenced by
    some unnatural force. Horace's eyes looked glassy. Elise wondered if
    he even had a clue where or who he was.
    "With all due respect, my Lord Duke, I feel that the king is not of
    his right mind in these matters." Elise looked up. It took every ounce
    of strength in her body to keep her shaking knees from buckling. The
    Duke was an intimidating presence. Why she had decided to push his
    fragile control was a mystery.
    What she did know was that DeMumart was not at all what he
    seemed. Before she knew what was happening, he grabbed her wrist
    and twisted it painfully. Elise cried out, tried to pull her arm free.
    DeMumart smiled evilly and jerked her against him. She turned
    her face away from his frightening visage.
    "Since you are so sure of yourself, little wench, I give you one
    more task."

    44

CHAPTER EIGHT
    DeMumart had locked her in a room. She was to stay there until
    the morning, at which time the Palace Guard would come for her.
    Her third task . What was she going to do? Four times already she had
    tried to summon Damien, however something prevented it.
    Perhaps Damien was too involved with the Damnation Scrolls to
    hear her. He had told her of the curse that keeps him prisoner within
    the walls of Darkhaven Castle. How she wished she could help him.
    She told him that when she was queen she would do all she could for
    him.
    Sadness settled in her chest. The thought of being with anyone
    other than Damien was heartbreaking. Yet, she saw no other way out
    of their dilemmas. Damien had been less than thrilled with her offer.
    She knew why. However how could they ever be together?
    No matter what happened, she would vow to help him. All he
    needed was the name of the Demon who cursed him. It was simple
    enough. Unfortunately, part of the curse was that Damien could never
    remember. It seemed futile.
    "Oh Damien, why can't you hear me?"
    The door to her room slammed open. Duke DeMumart stood in the
    entranceway. "There has been a change of plans."
    Two burly nights entered the room and grabbed Elise by the arms.
    "Where