“So, I think it goes without saying that I don’t understand the needs of a human and I haven’t taken into consideration the fragility of your species,” he began as he lowered the glass to the side table between us.
My brows rose in a ‘well you don’t say,’ look.
“Could you refrain from giving me that very attitude that makes me want to throttle you for a few minutes?” he quipped. The corners of his lips turned down as his reptilian pupil constricted to the skinniest slit. “My dragon finds your attitude appealing, but I don’t.”
My head tilted as I forced a smile. “Could you refrain from saying things that spark my attitude? You could fix the problem right at the source.”
He rubbed a hand over his scaled eye before dropping both hands to clasp together between his long legs. “Despite my carelessness with the lives of the women that were stolen by my people, I don’t actually want to see any humans perish. That includes you.”
My face and tone went flat. “But I’ll believe it when I see it.”
His lips thinned and his nostrils flared as he took a deep breath. With narrowed eyes trained on me, he muttered, “That’s what I’m getting to if you’d stop interrupting me.”
I offered a shrug. “Sorry, it seems to be a favorite hobby of mine since I have nothing else to focus on now that I’m trapped with you.”
He leaned forward, putting his weight on his forearms that rested on his knees as he glowered at me, the intensity making my throat constrict. “If you would shut your insufferable mouth, you’d hear that I’m going to end our marriage once we’ve ended this curse. You’ll return home and be free of me.”
My throat was suddenly dry, and not a single word floated through my mind as I stared at him, mouth agape.
“I’m…” I faltered as the wheels in my brain processed his words. “You want a divorce when this is done?”
He nodded before grabbing his glass and standing. “Do you want another?”
I lifted my glass to him in answer.
As he poured us another round, I found myself shaking my head, trying to make sense of his announcement. “Our marriage is a way to mend the terse relationship between our people and unite Andrathya once more. How will we be united, if we aren’t you know…” I stammered.
“United?” he offered cheekily, making me scowl.
I huffed. “Yes.”
The idea of going back to my life wasn’t an offer I thought I’d ever have on the table. When Theo had thrown me over his shoulder and forbid me from saying goodbye to my loved ones, I’d had to quickly come to terms with the fact that I wouldn’t ever return to my home. Now here he was, offering my freedom, so quickly after whisking me away.
There had to be a catch. It was too good to be true.
As he offered my now-full glass back to me, I couldn't help but throw his words from yesterday back at him. “Don’t tell me you’ve already lost your bite, Theo? Did I already wear you down? That was far too easy. I like my prey to put up a bit longer of a fight. “
He glared at me from above the rim of his glass as he took a sip. Lowering the glass to rest between his hands, he muttered,“I’d be a liar if I said this was entirely for your benefit, wench. We both want to return to our lives before. All we have to do is find a way to break the curse and we can be done with one another.”
While his words weren’t cruel, and they did ring true, my chest constricted nonetheless. Perhaps it was just the alcohol.
We can be done with one another.
Yes, that’s what I wanted. I took a sip and nodded in agreement before giving him my attention once more. “Alright, but how are we to ensure the unity remains, assuming we can lift the curse?”
If anything would come of this short-lived marriage, it would be me ensuring my people were safe and out of harm's way when it came to the beasts he couldn’t keep in line. I wouldn’t settle until we accomplished that, even if it meant rotting away in a wing of this castle for the rest of my life.
“We haven’t required a marriage between our people in all of the generations before us,” he offered with a shrug. “My kind want to mate for life. I need to find mine, and I can’t do that if I’m married already. Eventually, my dragon will force me to try to bond with you, as he already thinks that is where this is heading. As you know, it doesn’t end well when the bond doesn’t work, due to the human not being the correct person. I think we’d both like to avoid that particular scenario.”
Once again, he was purely stating the facts, but a spark of rejection and the stark reminder of women from my kingdom being slaughtered by the dragons soured my stomach. Perhaps this wasn’t what I pictured for my life, and I hadn’t asked for any of this, but in the short time since meeting Theo, I’d not had to fit into the role of crown princess, heir to the throne of Andrathya.
I’d simply been Sia—the witty, stubborn, and opinionated woman who had always resided within me, nestled away for the simple facade of politics. While I might not love the position I’d been forced into, the thought of going back and fitting into thesame old mold as before wasn’t as appealing as it should have been.
I mean, it was my life, after all. I’d have my family and friends. I’d be able to take over the throne and rule justly for my people. I’d be able to bring positive and much-needed change to our world. My eyes fell to the ever dancing flames stroking against the burning wood as I sat back in the chair and pulled my feet up.
I’d have to be above reproach once more. The head of the kingdom couldn’t afford missteps. I?—
“Do you agree to my terms?”
