As shesobsagainst me, furylightsup my insides.Iamgoing to tell him off.Iamso mad at him for hurting her.I want to… I want to… I want toscream.
When the door to the suite bangsopen and Nicholas stridesin, Isnap, “We’re not ready.You can tellmy kinghe canbloody well wait.”
He openshis mouth, then closesit again.After a few seconds, heasks, “For how long?”
“Until Fabia stops crying.”
“How long will that take?”
I narrow my eyes at him, for once not caring that I’mbeing a bad brownie.His brother hurt my best friend.Heisrelated to the bastard.Snarling, I answer, “However long it flippin’ takes.”
Turning my attention back to my bestie, I comfort her as best as I can.She might’ve told me to get married, but I’d rather die thanbe withanyone who’s upset her.
Even if that means being hanged bymyown intestines.
Seventeen
A wedding is not recognised unless all parties are willing to get married.
Even the Oyveni laws I agree with are fucking annoying.-KingRichard
It’sbeen thirty minutes so far.I pace the hall in irritation.One more and I’mbustinginto the Dressmaker’s Suiteand dragging her out of there, Oyveni’s laws be damned.
“Relax, brother.I’m sure she’ll be out soon.”
“You said that twenty-five minutes ago.How long does it takefora brownie to cry?”
Nicholas shrugs.Jaceshakeshis head.“At least we know she’s not an agent of Evangeline’s,”my brother says.They wouldn’t be so squeamish over a bit of spilled blood.
“Unless she’s faking it and is using this time to killAri–”Jace starts.
I pivot towards the door.
“Aw, fuck.”
Hemeant it as a joke.I know that, and yet, itdoesn’tstop my heart from tightening so hard in my chest, I want to rip it out to relieve myself of the pain.
“Your Majesty,”he says as he hurries behind me.
Ignoring his protests, Ikick down the door ofthe suite.
“It wasn’t even locked,” he mumbles.
The door bangshardintothe wall.The two women look up at me.Fabiaflinches, but Arienna glowersas if she really hopesshecanskewer me with a look.
Marching over to them, I rip Fabiaup andout of my fiancée’s embrace.
“Hey!”Arienna gasps.“Let her go!”
Shoving Fabia into Nicholas’ arms, I then reach down for Arienna’s wrist.Hauling her to her feet, I drag her from the room.She triesto stop me.Her attempts at digging her heels into the floorarelaughable.Her fingers grasping at mine almost make me smile.
Scanning the corridor as I head for theGreatHall, Iready myselffor the next attack.The Court wouldn’t have sent just one.
When we make it to the altar without trouble, I tense, not liking the ease of this one bit.I look behind me at Jace as he barsthedoubledoors to theGreatHall.With the place to ourselves, I relax.Slightly.
Therearestill windows in this room.And shadows thathaven’tbeen checked.
As Jace, Nicholas,the three guards who were stationed outside of the Dressmaker’s Suite,andthree moreguards we picked up along the waysweepthe area, I turn my head tomy queen.Her eyesarestill sharp with fury.Her lipsaretight with disgust.
