“Huh.” He blinks, studying me as if to detect a lie. “From his appearance in Eclipsica last year, I expected him to be into duels and brooding.”
“You can’t judge someone from one meeting,” I say. “Example: when we met, I thought you seemed like an okay guy.”
He brightens as if expecting a compliment.
“Now I see you’re a total asshole,” I say, breaking the long stretch of silence.His smile falters for a moment before the mask slips back into place.
“You don’t mean that.” He shuffles back toward the door. “Now, please… your body needs sustenance. If my company is too unnerving, eat in my absence. Away from the window, if you please.”
“Wait!” I catch his arm. He looks back, face ablaze with the sudden contact. I drop my grasp.
Think, Heather. Think.
There’s got to be a way to get yourself out of this.
What is something the human realm has taught you that these faeries and creatures don’t have?
“Yes?” He leans in, his fangs on full display as he grins widely, unashamed by his own enthusiasm.
“You want a queen, right?” I begin slowly, the pieces of possibly the silliest suggestion snapping together in my head. “What if I told you there was a different way to go about it than kidnapping unsuspecting women?”
“I wantyou,” he says.
“No—you don’t, not really.” I scramble to figure out my next words. “You want arm candy, someone unknown to your court that they can all be dazzled by.”
He leans back, appraising the idea. “Then what do you suggest?”
“We make a deal.”
“A deal?” He raises a brow “You want to make abargainwith me?”
I nod. It’s a formal way to say it, but yeah, if he’ll hear me out, I’m sure this is going to work.
“What if I told you there’s a way you can meet someone without formally courting them? Someone who will know nothing about this whole situation?” I ask, gesturing between us.
“I’m listening.” And he is—his eyes are trained on me like a snake looking at a field mouse. He hangs on every word, ready to pounce depending on my answer.
“I will find you someone else—someone who isn’t from your court or mine—to fall in love with.”
“In the time before the wedding,” he adds, swallowing hard. “Until then, you will remain in this castle—or close to my side.”
“Unless you come to your senses and let me go,” I say. “Which is the preferable option, just making that clear.”
He nods, suddenly appearing more formal. “If you cannot find me a different bride, you will admit your defeat and become mine.”
I hesitate. As confident as I am in the harebrained plan that’s beginning to form, there’s no way I’d actually marry this guy. But, if I get access to my phone, I can contact Moth—and what’s the harm in one little empty promise? Especially if it gains me time.
I extend my hand, and he looks … wary. As if he’s knows this is all a trap.
“You are certain of this?” he asks just before his hand meets mine. He’s planning on keeping me here until I agree to marry him regardless, right? At least this will give me an edge.
“Absolutely,” I say, and that’s all it takes for his hand to cup mine in a firm shake.
“Then the bargain is struck,” he says. At those words, my chest feels just as tangled as a necklace found at the bottom of a purse. “Now, tell me, what is your brilliant plan?”
I meet the predator’s gaze, moving across the room to grab my cellphone from the place it’s been hidden behind my pillow. “I’m going to need a charger.”
8.
