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I wasn’t sure what I’d do with a wife, but it was my only solution. Humans were rarely allowed to enter the fae realm, but if I was mated with one, I’d be allowed to stay here. The guidelines of our treaty made this clear.
Finni’s pale eyebrows lifted, and her pointed ears twitched. She fingered the inch-long red stone she wore around her neck on a thick gold chain that matched the rubies peppering her artfully arranged hair. “Why a human?”
“They’re fascinating.”
“You’ll grow bored.”
“I don’t believe I will.”
“I suppose if you had a wife, I might reconsider,” she said, a sly look entering her eyes. I wasn’t sure how to interpret it, but I welcomed her comment. “I’ll give you a week of human time to find her.”
My spine stiffened. “Excuse me?”
“Find a human and marry her within one week, and I’ll consider allowing you to remain here.”
My heart jolted. “A week isn’t very long.”
“You’ve been here a month already. Elvira has given you potential matches.”
None of them had worked out.
“I’m getting old,” Finni said. “I wish to retire. I plan to do so once you assume the dukedom and take my place among our people.”
“Allow my sister to become duchess instead.”
“Tradition dictates this role should be filled by the eldest, which is you.”
“Tradition sucks.”
“Language.” She tapped my knee, but her eyes sparkled.
“Isirell loves our people, our world,” I said. “Andyou’veruled as duchess.”
“Because there was no one else in my line.”
I was making no progress in convincing her. Frustration poured through me. Rising, I started pacing again. “I’m a grown male. I will do whatever the hell I please.”
“Again, language. Please do not invoke demons.”
I dipped forward in a bow. “I do apologize. You must know that demons have joined this community. The town’s sheriff, Venom, is one of them.”
“I’m well aware of Sheriff Venom. He’s not exactly from hell, per se, but the underworld.”
It was the same thing to me. “Alright,” I growled. “I’ll find a wife within one week.”
“Lovely.” Her lips curled up briefly before smoothing. She must not think I could do it. “I do have one other condition.”
Of course she did. I loved her, but damn, did she adore manipulating others. After my parents died, she’d raised me and my sister. She’d been our everything when we’d lost so much.
I’d laughed at times when she twisted someone into agreeing with her wishes. It wasn’t funny when her slyness was directed at me.
“What do you wish?” Pausing on the carpet, I braced myself for her words.
“You say you enjoy living in the human realm? Then show me you fit in here.”
Ah, so she'd seen how awkward I felt among humans. I used the wrong words and a solid understanding of their cultural aspects eluded me. Too often, they stared or even yelled when I made mistakes. If only I could fit in.
“Find a wife and show me that this is where you truly belong, and I’ll release you,” my aunt said. “Your sister can take the title of duchess.”
