I’m sure they’ve figured out that the seal on the portal to Earth hasn’t been broken.With no evidence against her, they could drop the case and force me to keep her as queen.In their eyes, Arienna will be an easy puppet.They could use her to get rid of me.
And although, they genuinely could, it’s a risk with my life that I’m willing to take to save hers.I’ve always figured out how to survive; I’ll do it again.And again.And again.However long it takes me to have a future with my queen.
Petre looksat me over her shoulder, her eyes shrewd.Ikeepmy face full of boredom, letting her think Idon’tcare one way or another.
She smiles with all the venom of a snake.“Is she not satisfying you, Your Majesty?I hear shehas the titsand pussyof a whore, according toone ofyour guards.You had her in your study,then again last night in your chambers – bit obsessive for a man who hasn’t had anight-timevisitor in over three years.”
Whichfucking guard said that?I turn my clenched jaw into a dismissive snort.“Brownies are sex fiends.But once I finished, Ithrew her out.She’s too soft for my liking.”
“Ever the gentleman.”Her eyes roam over my face.Shecanlook all she wants though;sheisn’tfinding shitto use against me.“And yet,” she purrs, “you went to her house to pick up herbelongings.Risked yourself with over a dozen waspsjust because she cried.”
“Iwent to Brownston,” I say flatly, “to discuss the trade agreement with their king and queen.I knew dealing with a wasp infestation for themwould solidify our arrangement.”When we reach the balcony of the dungeons, I ask again, “When is her execution?”I let the first crack of frustration bleed into my voice, and she drinks it up with a lazy smile.
“Never,” she says.
My jaw tightens as fury flashes in my eyes.“What do you mean, never?She tried to enter the portal.If we don’t kill her, then the archangels –”
“Will do nothing.They’ll only care if the seal is broken.Which it isn’t.”Her eyes laugh at me.“Did you really think you could take a bride and have us get rid ofherfor you so you could keep pretending to be worthy of wearing Raza’s crown?”
“I am worthy,” I hiss, lying through my teeth; if it was up to me, I never would’ve been king.“I killed Seqora in a fairy ring.The crown is rightfully mine.”
Her eyes narrow into slits.“For now.But it won’t be as soon asthat girl becomes queen.”
“She’s a fucking brownie,” I snap in disgust.“You can’t think she’ll be fittorule Raza.”
“Not on her own, no.Butwith a Court at her back,” she says, drawing herself up to her full height, “she’ll be exactly what we need.”
Spreading her wings, she launches into the air and takes off through the tunnels.I stand at the edge, watching her disappear, my jaw tight.Despite thisbeing the outcome I wanted,the fury inside me is blinding.
If Petre was swayed that easily, that means she already has a plan for my queen.
“Jace,” I say, my gut tightening in anticipation of going to war.“Figure out where Evangeline is.”
Knowing Petre as well as I do, I know she won’t stop until herown daughter is on the throne.Which means she’ll have plans to get rid of me as soon as Arienna is crowned.And then she’ll trickmy queenintomarryingthe woman I refused to:Evangeline fucking Sinclair.
Thirty-Five
A princess must learn how to hunt as well as kill.For rations are never certain, and blockades are frequent.
Let me see how well you can run, my queen.-KingRichard
Leaving the dungeons, all I want to do is fly straight to my queen, but my kingly duties are too demanding.So instead, I make a quick stop on the balcony, where I order the guards to deny anyone who tries to seek entry to our private floor.The Court will not poison Arienna’s ear today.
With a yearning glance down the hall, I spread my wings and take off again.I land outside theThroneRoom; this floor of the castleopensup onto the branch of a tree rather than onto a balcony.This way, even those fairies who have lost their wings are able to come tell me their grievances.
All morning, I listen to their concerns,trying not to get distracted by the thoughts of my queen running through my head.No.
Not running.
Galloping through a meadow of roses that colour the gloom of Raza with the bright light of her smile.Her purity and belief inthe world, that it can be something other than a living hel.
As soon as my duties allow, I send word to Ajax, theRoyalDressmaker.He’s to bring a dozen racks of his finest clothing up to my chambers.I didn’t get to watch my queen try on any dresses on our wedding night, but I’ll have that fantasy now.
Now that I get to keep her.
Now that I can consummate this marriage without being a total ass.
Dusk cannot come fast enough.
