All Chapters of THE KING'S PROPERTY: Chapter 1 - Chapter 5

The first man who tried to buy Silas Vey lost his left hand.The second lost his nerve.The third never made it to the bidding table.By the time Prince Cassian Vale entered the royal auction hall, the remaining buyers had learned to keep their eyes on the floor.Silas found that amusing.He stood in the center of the marble platform with iron cuffs around his wrists and a chain running from his throat to a ring embedded in the floor. His white shirt was torn at the shoulder. Dried blood marked the corner of his mouth, and a bruise darkened one cheekbone.He had not slept in three days.He had not eaten properly in five.And he had spent every waking moment remembering the names of the people who had done this to him.He would remember every face, too.Especially the prince.“Lot forty-seven,” the auctioneer announced. “Former nobility. Twenty-seven years of age. Educated, literate, and in excellent health despite his recent circumstances.”Silas lifted his eyes.“Excellent health?” h

The photograph remained beneath Silas's pillow.He had not slept.Not because he was frightened.Fear was an old companion, one he had learned to recognize without allowing it to make his decisions.He was awake because someone had entered his bedroom.Someone had crossed the palace's security.Someone knew his identity.And someone wanted him to understand that his presence in the palace had not gone unnoticed.Silas sat on the edge of his bed, examining the photograph beneath the dim light of his bedside lamp.His childhood home.The eastern balcony where his mother used to sit.The garden where his father had taught him to ride.The windows through which he had watched his family disappear into smoke.Six months had passed since that night.Six months since he had watched soldiers drag his father away.Six months since he had promised himself that the men responsible would eventually suffer.He turned the photograph over.HE KNOWS YOU ARE HERE.Silas ran his thumb over the handwrit

Silas stared at Daniel.For a moment, he thought he had misunderstood him."Repeat that."Daniel swallowed."They found your father's name written on the body."Silas's fingers tightened around the silver ring."Written how?""I don't know, Master Silas. I only heard the guards talking. They said the body was hidden behind a locked door in the western wing.""Who discovered it?""Commander Rowan."Silas looked towards the corridor."Where is the prince?""With the commander, I believe."Silas reached for his coat.Daniel moved in front of him."You cannot go there."Silas raised an eyebrow."Are you giving me orders now?""No, sir. But the guards have been instructed not to allow anyone near the western wing.""Then they will have to decide whether they want to stop me."Daniel looked genuinely frightened."Master Silas, please. If the prince discovers you went there, he will be furious."Silas gave a humourless smile."Daniel, the prince is already furious with me. I would rather giv