The Child Prince (The Artifactor) Read Online Free

you.”
    He blinked, whether at her directness or at her announcement, Sevana wasn’t sure. “Kidnap me. For ransom? Because I have to tell you, no one here would pay it.”
    Hooo . So he did know the political situation he was in. A sharp mind resided behind that child’s face. “You’re probably right,” she agreed bluntly.
    They both paused, studying each other intently. Sevana didn’t know what he thought behind that inscrutable mask of his. She didn’t fancy standing here all day in a staring contest either.
    “Not going for a weapon, princeling?”
    “Are you worried I will?” he riposted steadily.
    “If I had a complete stranger break into my room, I would certainly reach for one.” He hadn’t even tried for that enormous bell pull near the door, which would likely summon a swarm of guards. Or a maid. Someone, at least, that would help him. This just became curioser and curioser. Unless… “Unless they’ve deliberately left you unarmed?”
    He stared at her for a moment longer, eyes locking with hers, and let out a slow breath. “I think you’ve already guessed what the situation is before you even entered this room.”
    “You’re a prisoner here,” she said bluntly. “And you are unarmed and without protection of any sort, which is why you haven’t tried calling for help.”
    His eyes closed in a fatalistic manner, fist clenching until his knuckles shone white. “Indeed. It is as you say. I am at your mercy, Miss Intruder. So, what do you intend to do?”
    “I’m not going to ransom you. I’m here to take you away so that I can study you.”
    “Study me,” he repeated neutrally, eyes searching her face.
    “That’s right. I want to know what spell or potion was used on you so I can reverse it.”
    “Are you a great sorceress?”
    It was Sevana’s turn to blink at him in puzzlement. “No.”
    “Magess?”
    “No.”
    “Witch? Shaman? Any kind of a magic user at all?”
    “No, no and no.” Sevana smirked at his flabbergasted expression. “You were examined by every magic specialist in the five kingdoms at one point or another, weren’t you? They couldn’t find the answer, either.”
    “Exactly.” The prince glared at her, his mouth not quite forming a pout. “So what makes you more qualified?”
    “I’m an Artifactor,” she responded easily, heading for him. “If anyone would know the subtle nuances of a potion or spell, it would be me.”
    “Artifactor,” he breathed. For the first time since she entered the room, he looked cautiously optimistic. “Wait. Could you perhaps be the prodigy Artifactor, Sevana Warran?”
    She preened a little. Well, the kid knew her, did he? “The very one.”
    The flash of optimistic hope passed, replaced by caution. He seemed to shrink a little behind his chair. “I fear I don’t have any power here. If it is some grand reward you seek, I cannot grant it to you.”
    She snorted at the very idea. “What I want is this: when you become king, I want you to grant me an eternal Artifactor’s License.”
    The prince blinked at her quite stupidly for a second. “That’s it? You just want a license?”
    “What do you mean ‘that’s it?’” she demanded in aggravation. “Do you realize how much paperwork is involved to get a license? And I have to do it yearly, to boot!”
    His face contorted, as if he were struggling to not laugh out loud.
    She shook a finger at him. “Don’t you dare laugh.”
    He held up both hands in a pacifying gesture. “I would not dream of it. Very well, Artifactor, if you truly do break this curse on me, then I will grant you your wish.”
    “Good.” She reached his chair and looked down at him. “Are you ready to be kidnapped yet? As your kidnapper, I am generous enough to let you put on shoes first.”
    He hesitated for a long moment, staring up at her with calculating eyes. Then a lopsided smile tugged one corner of his mouth up. “At this point, I suppose any risk is better than none. I need more