AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“You shouldn’t have done it.” His expression turned blank, and I sighed. “But I’m so fucking glad you did.” My voice broke, and I was immediately in his arms.
“You and me, Prisca. Forever.”
I willed myself not to think of the seer and her words. To enjoy this moment. “Forever.”
Rythos let out a victorious laugh, and I jolted. I’d forgotten the others were there. Galon was grinning at us, and even Marth looked pleased.
“But it’s not enough to be your mate,” Lorian said, drawing my attention back to him. “Not for me.”
I pulled back. “Oh? What is it you want?”
He pulled a marriage bracelet out of his pocket. Precious stones glinted, catching the light.
“Marry me, Prisca. Be mine in the ways of your people, as well as mine.”
My throat was too tight to speak. He’d known—how much I’d longed to be married in the future. I’d once told him of the weddings I’d attended. And the words from the woman I’d thought was my mother.
“I’m going to get married one day. Here in the village.”
“No, you won’t, Prisca. Such things are not for you.”
Lorian had remembered. I loved that we were mates, but he wanted me to have a wedding too.
Tears rolled down my cheeks as I nodded.
He kissed them all away, one by one, before dropping his lips to my mouth.
I reached for the bracelet, wanting a closer look, and he shook his head, slipping it back into his pocket. “Not until you’re mine in every way.”
Stubborn man.
Rythos burst out laughing again, pulling me out of Lorian’s arms and kissing me on the cheek.
Galon shoved him out of the way, wrapping me in a hug. Rythos slapped Lorian on the back, while even Marth gave him a smile.
“Happy for you, Pris.” Marth kissed my cheek.
“You’ll come with us too, won’t you?” I asked hopefully.
Rythos nodded. “Do you think you can find a place for us in the hybrid kingdom if we win this war?” His teeth flashed in a grin, but I knew him well enough to know when he was holding his breath.
I reached out and squeezed his hand. “Of course. We could never leave without you three.”
Lorian pulled my hand from Rythos’s and pressed a kiss to my palm. I shook my head at him, and he sent me a wicked smirk. Galon just heaved a sigh at Lorian and waved his hand toward the door. “Let’s get this done.”
* * *
According to Lorian, fae nobility were long-lived, often cynical, and almost always bored. So it wasn’t entirely surprising to find that before the summit could begin, they first had to bask in the attention of their peers.
According to Galon, the entrance into the room was determined by rank. And so I stood next to Lorian and watched as Conreth’s most loyal soldiers entered the hall, followed by his highest-ranked generals and advisers.
Lorian had been stripped of his title, and Conreth refused to formally recognize mine, so we entered next. Lorian was on his best behavior and had only given Conreth a smile that promised consequences at a later date for the slight.
The cavernous hall was the largest enclosed space I’d ever seen. Tiers of seats rose up the sides of the chamber, spiraling upward in a dizzying pattern, most of them full. They’d been carved into the walls, and the sight of so many people made my palms sweat.
But it was the vast round table in front of me that drew my attention. The generals and advisers had already taken their seats—as had Madinia, Rythos, Telean, Galon, and Marth. Lorian steered me over to them, taking his time as he pulled out my chair for me. Madinia and Telean sat on Lorian’s right, while Marth sat to on our left, next to Galon. Rythos was currently lounging between me and Galon, eyes hard as he surveyed those seated above us.
When we were seated, the wardens began to enter. The ceremony of it all tried my patience. But I silently watched as they entered one by one, their people gathered around them.
