Riven, intolerably composed, merely raises a brow. “You heard me.”

“You—” I whirl to fully face him, my pulse hammering so fast it’s making me dizzy. “Are you out of your mind?”

Lysandra’s bubbling laugh echoes through the room, yanking me out of my shock.

“Now,thisis interesting.” She brings her hands together, and I swear she’s truly delighted. “Tell me, Prince Riven—what has inspired you to request my daughter’s hand in marriage? Other than her obvious charm.”

“Clearly not our undying love for each other,” he says the first sensible thing he has since sealing the deal with that dryad. “However, the Winter Court’s strength combined with the Summer Court’s resources will give us the best chance possible to defeat a common—and very dangerous—enemy.”

“Explain,” the queen commands, sounding the most serious she has since we met her.

“Happily,” he says. “Because the Night Court and the Blood Coven have formed an alliance. And if we don’t stop them, it will mean destruction not only for the Winter and Summer Courts, but for the mystical and mortal realms entirely.”