“Once I’ve re-established my rule in the human realm,” he continues, unbothered by the litany of curses I unleash, “things will begin falling into place. I’ll need someone to rule Wintermoon in my stead, of course, and—”
“Great! Take out an ad on Craigslist.”
“I am unfamiliar with Craig and uninterested in his list, but even if he stood here now with a scroll of candidates as long as the aisle before me, it wouldn’t be possible.”
“Tough break for you, I guess.”
“Only a Queen with Wintermoon blood may assume the throne.” He puts a hand on either side of my chair and leans in close, dark eyes glittering. “And the power that comes with it.”
A hint of that power brushes over my rune and down my spine, settling deep in my gut. I feel the call of it, a warm and steady pulse. An invitation.
In the black depths of his eyes, I see my future, and a tendril of desire unwinds inside me.
His crown on my head, my black-and-silver locks woven through it.
Throngs of fae subjects, bowing as they throw roses at my feet.
A gleaming white castle nestled among the highest snowcapped peaks, every room filled with riches beyond imagining.
And an immortal life devoid of warmth and love.
I tear my gaze away and shake my head. He’s trying to use his thrall on me, but I’m not my mother. I won’t fall so easily under his spell.
Verrick takes my chin between his thumb and finger, his touch gentle as he turns my face toward his once more.
I brace myself, waiting for him to put me under or curse me or yank me right out of this realm and into the depths of those icy mountains.
But he only grins as if he’s the one holding all the secrets, then releases me and backs away.
“You must be famished, my moon. Dine with me.” Verrick waves a hand, and a table draped in wine-colored cloth appears between us, along with an ornately carved wooden chair at his back. He sits down, and with another casual wave, a feast shimmers to life on the table—grilled meats and roasted vegetables, tiny boiled eggs no bigger than grapes, poached pears dusted with cardamom and cinnamon, terrines filled to the brim with succulent, fragrant sauces.
The ropes binding my wrists fall away, revealing the watch Rook gave me. Verrick must not have realized what it is, or he would’ve taken it. A spark of hope ignites inside. Maybe I can call them. Send them a text… something. I rub my wrists and try to surreptitiously tap it to life, but the thing is toast. Cracked screen, no juice.
Damn it. It’s ruined.
I lower my hands to my lap and wait for the chains around my midsection to vanish as well, wondering how quickly I can grab a knife off the table and stab him with it before he realizes what’s happening.
But the chains remain firmly in place.
So much for trust.
“What is all this?” I don’t bother couching the suspicion in my voice.
“Our first meal together, little moon.” Verrick unfolds a cloth napkin and places it in his lap, then reaches for his wine goblet. A matching one appears at my place, along with a fully loaded plate. “I’ve so much to tell you. To show you. We’ve got some mundane business to wrap up here this evening, but then I can take you home and—”
“Home?”
“To court.” He sips his wine, then gestures at me with his fork. “Eat, Westlyn. You need to recover your strength. We’ve a long night ahead, and it’s barely noon yet.”
Barely noon.Dread sinks like a stone in my gut. The guys won’t be awake for hours yet. They don’t even know I’m gone. They don’t even know the library is—
“No need to stand on ceremony,” Verrick says with a forced smile. “Please. Eat.”
Rage simmers inside. “Okay, first of all? I’m not a toddler. You missed the part of my childhood where you get to tell me what to do.”
“That was… an unfortunate circumstance beyond my control.” Something that looks a hell of a lot like regret flickers in his eyes. “Please. Allow me to make it up to you. Break bread with me. A fresh start to—”
“Sorry, pops. I’m vegan, so that’s a hard pass on whatever carcasses you’ve magicked into existence here. As for the rest?” I fold my arms across my chest and sneer. “I’m allergic to… everything.”
