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The crown prince smirks. “Yes, I was. Hallie is a better sister than you.”
“That bitch,” Helena says. “Go to–”
In a flurry of movement, he stops right in front of me, shoving Helena aside before leaning forward and putting his hands on the table. His black eyes are filled with violence as they glare at us.
I pull away from him as he leans in, only to see Nathan swim between us. I can feel panic rising in me like a tidal wave, despite myself. It’s hard to breathe as my heart pounds in my chest, banging against the thin shell of my ribcage.
You are fierce. You are not his toy.
Henrick glares at my Nathan. “Really, Elva? Him?”
"Hello, Henrick," I say through clenched teeth as I open my eyes again. "I was hoping to avoid this interaction altogether, but here you are."
He looks back at me, his gaze promising pain. "Imagine my surprise," he says, tapping his fingers on the table as he swims in place, "when I found out my future wife was not actually holed up in some bunker with the rebels."
Shit. Shit.
How did I not consider the possibility of him being here? He spends so much time traveling.
His tail suddenly slams into the chair beside Helena, the wood cracking under the impact. I jolt backward, my veins running cold as the threat of violence fills the air.
"Do I scare you?" He laughs, the sound chilling. Helena is behind him, cradling her arm.Don'tmake things worse, she begs me silently as her eyes grow large and red.
“Well?” Henrick asks again, demanding I look at him. He once left me alone with a great shark nearly at me alive. Everything he did was to preserve power. I was afraid of him, but mostly I hated him. I shake my head no.
"That's good," Henrick says. His lips pull back, exposing rows of razor-sharp teeth. "Gods forbid my fiancé be frightened of me."
That makes me angry. "I am not your fiancé," I say, willing my voice to be steady. "I never agreed to marry you, and Ineverwill."
"Tell that to your mother," he says, winking. The gesture is revolting, making me want to peel my skin off my bones. "My dear Elva. You aremine. I should be thanking you for introducing me to your lover. What a fabulous wedding present."
Nathan has another moment of emboldened anger. “We’re leaving.”
I touch his arm, ignoring the stinging in my palm. He looks at me, and Henrick studies the interaction. This is my fight, not his. He has already sacrificed enough. "I amnotyours. And I willnever, evermarry you."
"Is that so?" Henrick asks mockingly, raising a black brow.
"I would rather die," I grind out through clenched teeth.
He stares at me, his gaze assessing, before cackling wildly. His hair floats around his face as his eyes widen, a crazed look entering his eyes. "That can be arranged, my dear. It would be a damn shame if your enchantment suddenly wore off and you couldn't breathe underwater, wouldn't it?"
Beside me, Nathan sucks in a deep breath. "You would dare threaten to murder a guest in your sister's home? Do the laws of hospitality mean nothing to you here?" Nathan’s red hair floats around him like a halo. His anger is pulsing off of him as an unnatural warmth fills the room. My Summer Fae’s beautiful eyes are now swirling with rage as they glare at Henrick, a vein popping out in his neck as he glares at my once-fiancé.
My Nathan. I claimed him before I ever knew he could be like this. My instincts had chosen correctly.
Henrick scoffs. “Those are Fae rules. Your customs don’t bind us Merfolk.”
Nathan clenches his fists. "You listen to me, you overgrown fish.The lady said she doesn't want to marry you.And that's final."
Henrick looks between us, his gaze steely. "Who is she going to marry?" The Mer waves a hand at Nathan, looking derisive. "You?"
My Summer Fae stiffens. "Maybe. But it's up to her to decide, not some archaic law."
I pull on Nathan's arm again, harder this time, trying to get him to look at me. I recognize the steely look in Henrick's eye, and it's promising disaster.
"What if I just take her now and make her mine?" Henrick sneers at Nathan. "What are you going to do about it, little twig?"
Fire shoots out of Nathan’s hands, only to be extinguished in seconds. The water heats around us, becoming almost uncomfortable as more spurts of the heat warm the room.
