Page 146 of Ashborne Forged

Because here, I understood the rules of engagement.

Here, I knew what was expected.

Here, I had witnesses. Including the king.

Yet, they knew nothing of me.

…like the good girl you have always been.

Even Breckon, who knew me capable of adventures, was unaware of the training I’d received, or the experience. None of them understood Koa’s strength, or how deeply our bond ran. They saw me as a flighty, dramatic noblewoman who was a little bit strange, who’d tried her hand at being common, and had been dragged home in shame.

And so… I had to show them what they wanted to see.

I would be cowed. I would be frightened. I would appear to cling to my dignity in desperate hope of salvaging my life. I would be on my best behavior—and as long as Breckon didn’t touch me, I would keep my word.

For now.

I would be the fluttering fiancée, frantic to keep her rich groom.

I’d be embarrassed by the scandal, and grateful for an opportunity to overcome it.

I’d provide the excuse they needed to believe that I’d been taken in by sophisticated, worldly men.

And I would bide my time.

Breckon would, indeed, enjoy his obedient betrothed, suddenly desperate to ensure the wedding went ahead.

My parents would have their dutiful daughter, no longer enticed by the wide world—and no threat of them being accused of failing as parents.

And the king? God only knew why he was invested in this union, but he would see the contract fulfilled, and the noble bloodlines preserved.

I would do everything I was supposed to do—including, marry this pervert. Only once he’d won, and let down his guard, would I act.

I’d seen it. And it was beautiful in its simplicity. And most ironically, it was Breckon’s idea: If the contract were fulfilled, all exterior pressure suddenly vanished.

Only then, if one of us died, was the other free.

If my new husband passed away in a tragic riding accident, or choked on an olive, or fell off the cliff where he’d taken me to enjoy the sunrise… I was a widow. A highly regarded, financially independent, no longer under the purview of her parents, widow.

The freedom was breathtaking.

But only after the wedding.

And only if I could bring myself to kill this man in cold blood.

Everything in me shied away from the idea, though Koa was very pragmatic.

I hoped and prayed there was another way. Begged God to bring Voski and Kham, or my parents, to somehow intervene… But though my life had been sheltered, it had taught me one thing: if I wanted something, I had to find my way to it. Not wait for it to come to me.

Please, I begged God. Find another way. Or give me the courage to do this. But don’t let me be bound to this man. Please.

My desperate thoughts were interrupted by the crunch of the horses’ hooves as they stepped onto the wide, circular drive in front of the castle. I blinked and leaned forward to look out the window, shocked that so much time had passed while I’d been ruminating.

“Remember what I said,” Breckon muttered as the servants rushed to open the door.

I nodded, struggling not to smile. Because at least I knew what I had to do.

As the sunlight poured in through the narrow doorway and I was nearly blinded, Breckon stepped down first, then turned and offered me a hand. I made myself take it as would be expected, bending to step out of the low carriage door, before stopping and using the straightening of my skirts as an excuse to let go of Breckon.