I held an inhale waiting for him to speak, dreading the words that would follow.
Thalen faced the king and queen. “Prince Lioran knows my bride intimately. Which poses as quite a problem for all of us.” Thalen exhaled.
Heat radiated through me, rising into my cheeks. Lioran drew in a sharp breath, each inhale quicker than the last.
“A lesser fae would discard her for even the accusation of it.” Thalen took a step closer to the king and queen, before he looked back at me. I felt the cruel power his stare carried.
“What evidence do you have to support your claim?” Lioran asked.
My heart drummed harder in my chest. The lines aroundthe king’s eyes thickened as he squinted. The queen sat in silence, her skin growing paler.
“I back his claim.” Pyrran commanded the attention of the entire royal family. “I saw the two together in a rather heated moment in the Heart of Lythira. I tried to stop him, but from what I hear things have only since progressed.”
My cheeks reddened with every word.
I had given myself to Lioran. It was intimate and private. They would take it all from me—even the beauty of the memories that lingered—to humiliate me.
Lioran gritted his teeth. He could have torn Pyrran apart with his glare.
“My son, what do you say to his claim?” the king asked.
“Why would you seek to destroy her reputation before this court? What do you have to gain from it?” Lioran clenched his jaw.
“Interesting. He avoids addressing the accusation entirely.” Thalen folded his arms over his chest as he inched closer to me. His voice was a soft whisper only I could hear. “You gave yourself to him and he won’t even stand up for you, but I will.” Thalen’s hand grazed my shoulder, my stomach clenched with his touch.
“Prince Lioran, are you going to dispute the accusation, or stay silent?” Thalen pressed further.
Please.I begged him with my glare.
I was desperate for him to end it.
But Lioran’s gaze dropped from mine. It landed directly on the throne.
It broke me.
“You could at least claim her here, Your Highness. In a way you already have,” Thalen spoke before I could.
He would ruin me—Lioran would let him.
“I am not yours to claim, nor am I his,” I snapped.
King Thalorys tilted his head. The queen studied me as she raised her chin higher.
“We have a joint problem we can easily solve.” His shoulders set back as he strode closer to me. “If you honor my accord, I will keep the ever-growing threat of Bailoc at bay. The lingering consequences of her transgressions will be handled.”
I shuddered; the onyx sent a chill spiraling into my chest.
Thalen knew how to bend me, to break me.
“You tread on dangerous ground, Lord Thalen. Coming to the High Court…making accusations that involve your future king.” King Thalorys’s voice left the room trembling. “Handle her discreetly. My court is not a place for you to air your failings. You lack control over your bride—take her from my sight and reclaim it.”
I clutched at the gown, silently gasping. Thalen’s hand settled on my back, with a gentle nudge, he tried to guide me to turn, but I still held the king’s gaze. My eyes narrowed, threatening his. It wasn’t wise. It wasn’t even intentional—just a silent promise that I would never forgive his lack of grace.
I was not Thalen’s—I would never belong to him. Not even if I chose it.
They could demand I leave with him. Force me to marry him and I would.
But it would never make me love him.
