Page 158 of Crown of the Courtesan

The forest goes silent.

“Seal the promise of Bonded Matrimony,” the elder demands.

“May I kiss you, Tabitha?” Ashland asks, his voice velvet with affection.

Surprise tilts my face upward, and I nod. Ashland bends down and tenderly touches his lips to mine. Soft and lovely, his beard lightly tickles me. He tastes like a lavender sky after melting into scarlet and crimson for too long.

But there’s a storm growing on the horizon of his kiss.

And despite that turmoil, the world fades and disappears; all that exists is the beating of two hearts sharing a true kiss. He pulls away, and I open my eyes, looking at him through tears.

Something moves behind him.

Women in ivory robes file out of the forest and circle the ceremony with their flickering lanterns. At first, I think they are priestesses, but these female dancers appear different. Their hair flows free, and iridescent markings cover their delicate faces. And unlike actual priestesses, they still have full use of their tongues as they articulate every word of the melody they sing. The whispers, singing in the Dead-Fae language, merge with their ethereal voices, growing louder and louder until they build into an overwhelming harmony, and I recognize the song⁠—

My eyes roll to the back of my head, and my knees go weak.

Arms wrap around my thrashing body as a vision invades my consciousness.

* * *

I open my eyes, and I’m aboard the Cliodna—the rolling waves spray sea mist over the ship’s ivory edge, enveloping me in damp air.

Breathing heavily, I try to regain my bearings. But the pale-gold tresses cascading down my shoulders, landing on a pink lace gown, send my heart racing—this isn’t my hair! I extend a hand to touch the loose waves, only to realize I have no control over my limbs as I watch this unfamiliar body move.

My hands reach for my scalp of their own accord. For a second, it feels as if I’m pulling my circlet from my head, but instead I grasp the Ashland Jewel Tiara. It sparkles iridescently in the bright sun, nearly blinding me.

“Cliodna!” shouts a young man with similar golden hair, wearing regal attire. “You’re overreacting. Just calm down!”

I throw the tiara, and it skitters across the deck, finally stopping at the feet of the gathered crew. “Get out of my way, Tam—I’m not coming home.”

“You can’t do this! You can’t stay here.”

“I can do whatever I want. It’s my ship! Or does he plan to take that away, too?” I scream, my throat already hoarse and aching.

Wringing his hands, Tam pleads, “It was only a betrothal. Please don’t take it personally.”

A raven-haired man wearing circular glasses and a dark cape stands beside Tam, peering at me with swollen, red-rimmed eyelids. Pulling at my clothes, I moan into the blowing wind, “Was it worth it?”

“You know I didn’t support using you as collateral,” Tam beseeches.

“He disrespects the entire Metalla family name with what he’s done. What kind of brother are you that you would side with him?”

“A pragmatic one. Now, listen here, Cliodna. You’ll get over this heartache in time. And most importantly, his parents will still provide Alexandria with the Devana Ships. You’ve done your duty. So please, it’s time to come home.” Tam takes a cautious step toward me.

My tears turn into gasping sobs. “You might as well paint those ships crimson because they are drenched in my blood, my broken future. You speak of honor, but an honorable man would never claim a love that wasn’t true, and he surely wouldn’t look at another woman, much less abandon a princess for a peasant!”

Aros’s silver eyes narrow as he draws closer. “Don’t speak of Danu that way. She’s with child,” he says, the breeze catching his hair. “I married her last night by the Ancestors’ Grove. I won’t father a bastard when I love her and want to spend my days with her by my side.”

“With child…” I trail off.

“Danu and I have the same goals—the same passions. We are going to figure out how to reopen the portal to the Fae Realm using the power of Alexra, but it’s going to take real work—more work than I’ve ever conceived of. Everything in my training has led me to this point. I’ll be able to use my healing powers for something miraculous. And as a druid, Danu understands and wants to be a part of that. Why can’t you understand how important this is?”

“But… you said you loved me. We planned an entire life together… We were going to sail the realms until we reached the ruins of the Crescent Shore.”

He inches nearer. “I did say those things,” he admits, “and it was wrong of me.”

“How could you lie to me?”