And that’s if I don’t kill him first.
There are just… so many ways this won’t work out the way Tesson thinks. And even in some crazy world where he got away with his whole plan, the king would just kill him and marry me to the princes anyway. Regardless, this is only going to end badly for Tesson. I’d just prefer to be the one to handle him rather than getting others involved. I just need to think of a way to get a little space between myself and his dagger, and then I’ll be free.
Grabbing me by the arm, he starts dragging me down the hall, dagger near my throat. “It won’t be long now, Harper. Then, you’ll be mine. Finally.”
I try to ignore the pressure in my chest. This is an insane plan. As stupid as Tesson is, he won’t get away with it… I just have to wait for my opportunity to strike.
16
Lucien
I’ve never beena man who feels helpless. Ever. But I’ve felt helpless these past few days. Each day, my brothers and I have gone to our father, trying to get out of this marriage, and each day his response has been the same. This marriage is happening. Not just with Harper, but with the Hollowborn.
We have no choice.
The thing is, I don’t know if I’m upset about it anymore. I’m pissed about the potential of being linked to the Hollowborn, that’s for sure. Not that I think that’s really going to happen, but I’m not displeased about the idea of being linked to Harper. Ever since the moment she stepped into my life, something has just felt… inevitable about her. Like no matter what we do or say, we’ll end up with her.
I just didn’t realize that’s what I was feeling until recently.
Even being tied to my brothers feels inevitable. For so long I thought I hated them, but we’ve spent each evening together since all this Harper stuff came to our front door, and it’s been… nice. It’s not as lonely an existence as I’m used to. I haven’tmentioned it to my brothers, but somehow it feels less and less like we dislike each other and more and more like our father simply pitted us against each other.
I don’t know. Maybe I’m just not thinking clearly.
All I know is that when my brothers spoke about visiting our father again today to make a last plea to be free of this marriage, none of us seemed interested in going. Which wasn’t exactly a surprise. Wordlessly, we’ve all begun to treat Harper like our betrothed, whether or not she accepts our engagement.
She simply…feelslike she’s ours.
Sighing, I walk quietly down the hallway, ignoring the flickering torchlight. I’d been in my room, knowing it was late and I should be getting ready for bed, when I’d simply gotten up and headed for Harper’s room. I don’t know if I’ll actually knock. I don’t know if I’ll just walk away. But now, I regret not joining my brothers for drinks, because I feel antsy.
As I round the corner, I sense people before I see them. I stop short from crashing into them, but I see flashes of Harper’s pale face, the knife, and Tesson. Reacting before I can think, I grab her and yank her behind me, then step between her and the man. She makes a slight sound behind me, and I make a mistake, letting my gaze dart to her, to check if she’s okay. The blade leaps out at me, and I jump, but not fast enough, feeling the blade slice my arm.
As hot blood slides down my skin, I feel a smile curl my lips. The man’s confident demeanor falters when he sees my expression, but his grip only tightens on the blade.
“Hello, Tesson,” I say coldly.
He doesn’t respond.
“What are you doing with my bride?”
“She’smybride,” he hisses.
I laugh. The idea of Harper belonging to anyone but me is a joke. She’s my woman. My bride. And anyone who thinks otherwise will quickly learn why they’re fucking wrong.
“Now, you’ve already made one of the worst mistakes a living human could make by touching my woman. Let’s not make it any worse. Put the knife down, and let’s resolve this like men.”
Tesson levels the blade at my chest. “Not a chance.”
I smile wider. “I guess we’ll do this the fun way.”
“You mean the hard way,” Harper says, and I realize she’s standing behind me, anger in her voice. “And it doesn’t have to be the hard way with two against one.”
“Just let me handle this,” I say, trying to keep my voice calm.
“No way.”
I grit my teeth. “Harper, I’m a man. And if you’re going to be with me, you need to know that a man sometimes just needs to rescue his woman.”
“Like hell–”
