**Hidden Machinations—Eternal Eclipse**
"I might not be friends with your daughter," he said meaningfully, staring straight at her eyes through the black veil, "but it's true that in the course of our journey, I've fallen in love with the princess royal. So much so that not a night goes by when I don't think of her."
Serpentine picked up the white queen piece and moved it back to safety. "I would love to pretend that I am interested in knowing why you have taken a rather uncouth interest in my daughter, but it's true that I've no such interest. Whatever your purpose is, whatever is your mission, I will not allow you to involve her in it." She threatened easily, aware of how his eyes were always pinned on her.
"If I refuse to adhere to your request," he drawled, picking up his black knight, "given that she's not truly your daughter, that won't be a default on my part now would it?"
