Chapter 3
AUREN
As I walk down the castle corridor, I think of Princess Vivienne. I’ve seen beauty before, but nothing has ever made me feel like this. A slow smile tugs at my lips as I recall the way she eviscerated every man who approached her, her tongue sharp as a blade, dismissing each of us, one by one.
Her father had looked mortified. The suitors were furious. But me? I was completely mesmerized.
My boots echo against the polished floor as I follow the castle steward down a long hallway, while my men split off in another direction to be taken to their rooms.
My head is still spinning from the speed of my decision. I came here for trade negotiations. Instead, I saw the princess and decided she would be mine.
As I turn a corner, a voice calls out, “Auren?”
I glance up to see Prince Eryl of Anara. He has a goblet of wine in hand. His blue dragonfly-like wings are tucked close to his back, his violet eyes gleaming with mischief.
“Eryl,” I greet, inclining my head.
The second Fae prince of Anara grins. “Just arrived?”
“About an hour ago.”
Eryl sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes.
“Consider yourself lucky. I’ve been trapped here all evening, enduring the punishment that is Princess Vivienne.
” He swirls his wine. “Father insisted I come and try my luck with her; he wants me to find a mate and settle down.” He shakes his head.
“As if I would be foolish enough to marry a woman who clearly wants nothing to do with the idea of marriage.”
He leans closer. “She’s a menace, you know,” he says in a voice so low only I can hear. “I pity the man who ends up with her.”
I smirk. “Then I suppose you should pity me.”
Eryl laughs, but when I don’t join in, his amusement falters as his brows shoot up toward his hairline. “For the love of the gods, you’re serious, aren’t you?”
“Yes, I am,” I state proudly.
“Well, I wish you luck, my friend.” He arches a teasing brow. “I suspect you’re going to need it.”
Perhaps another man would take offense at someone speaking that way of his future bride, but not me. It simply means less competition for her favor.
Princess Vivienne is unlike anyone I’ve ever encountered. She is rare and magnificent. Any man who doesn’t see that is a fool.
I clasp Eryl’s arm, and we part ways amicably.
As I continue down the hallway, my thoughts are on her. The steward leads me to my chambers. It’s a sprawling set of rooms with a stone fireplace, a roaring fire burning in the hearth, a large four-poster bed, and a balcony overlooking the palace gardens.
“Your bath is ready, my Lord,” one of the servants says as he places fresh towels and a robe near the clawfoot tub, already filled with steaming water.
“Thank you,” I reply.
I step toward the balcony, and my entire focus sharpens. In the courtyard garden below, a figure in emerald silk walks alone among the hedges.
My heart leaps in my chest. It’s Vivienne.
I want to speak with her. Now.
The servant bows and excuses himself. The moment the door clicks shut, I strip and bathe quickly, scrubbing the dirt and grime from my skin.
When I’m finished, I dress in simple, dark clothing—a tunic and trousers, something a soldier might wear in the evening. I don’t want her to know who I am yet.
Not until tomorrow.
I slip out of my chambers and make my way down to the garden.
When I reach it, I find her sitting on a stone bench near a reflecting pool, the moonlight lending a soft glow to her skin.
Her expression is unreadable, as she stares at the water, as if searching for something beneath its still surface.
Cautiously, I approach. “Pardon me, but is this seat taken?”
She huffs, no doubt ready to give me a thorough tongue lashing, but before she can, I lower myself onto the bench beside her.
The moment our eyes meet, something inside me snaps into place, complete and irrevocable, as if the world has just narrowed to one singular truth.
Vivienne is my fated one. The sacred words echo in my mind, as deep as the ocean and vast as the stars. She is the other half of my soul. She is mine and I am hers.
I don’t know why this didn’t reveal itself in the ballroom. I already knew I wanted Vivienne, but now… I would burn entire kingdoms to ash if she asked me to.
Her green eyes flash with indignation. “Excuse me, but I don’t recall inviting you to sit.”
She’s human, so I’m not surprised she doesn’t feel the connection. Her people don’t have fated bonds like mine do.
“No, you did not.” A smile tugs at my lips. “But you looked lonely.”
I’m aware of every inch of space between us… and how much I long to close it.
She lets out a slow breath, as if summoning patience. “Oh,” she says flatly. “It’s you.”
I smirk. “You sound thrilled.”
“At least you’re bathed now.” She sighs heavily. “Though clearly, soldiers still lack manners.”
I stifle a chuckle. Gods, I enjoy her.
She narrows her eyes. “You’re here with the Dark Elf King. Doesn’t he have need of you?”
I smile, encouraged that she remembers my face even as she tries to dismiss me. “He has a name, you know,” I tease lightly, wanting to hear my name on her lips.
“Well,” she says, tipping up her chin. “He wasn’t presented to me, so you’ll have to forgive me if I don’t know it.”
At first, I’m disappointed, but then I realize the opportunity this presents. If she doesn’t know the Dark Elf King’s name…
“Aren’t you supposed to be guarding him?” she asks. “You are his soldier, are you not?”
“My king knows where I am. And at the moment, he has no need of me.” I lean back. “So I thought I’d enjoy the evening outside.”
It seems she’s not used to someone ignoring her dismissal. A hint of irritation shifts into her gaze as she scoots away from me on the bench.
Every instinct I possess urges me to reach for her, but I force myself to remain still.
“And just why do you care about the outside?” She crosses her arms. “Don’t Dark Elves live in underground caves?”
“Some do. But not all. Our farming villages and outposts are above ground.”
She blinks. “Oh.”
I tilt my head. “Have you ever been to my kingdom?”
“No.”
“I think you would like Valethryn.”
Something in her expression shifts, curiosity flickering behind her eyes.
“Our underground cities are filled with glowing gemstones and towering luminescent mushrooms as tall as trees. The caverns sparkle in the dark, like a sky full of stars.” She listens intently.
“And the above-ground villages are rather charming, if I do say so myself. The people are hardworking, the streets lined with Fae lanterns. I believe you’d find it all rather lovely. ”
To my surprise, a wistful sigh escapes her. “It does sound nice.”
I’m encouraged by her response. “What’s your favorite place you’ve traveled to?”
“I’ve… never left the kingdom.”
I blink. “Never?”
She shakes her head. “After my mother died, my father became afraid of losing us. My brother and I. He didn’t like the idea of us traveling.” She looks away. “Of course, my brother still got to, once he came of age. Because men are allowed more freedom than women.”
I’ve heard this about humans. They tend to shelter their females. “In the Dark Elf Kingdom, women are not hidden away behind walls.”
Her eyes flick back to mine.
“They are protected, yes,” I continue. “But they do as they please. Many train as warriors, ride into battle beside their kings.”
“And queens?” She arches a brow. “Do they rule equally with their kings?”
“They always have. Though the current king does not yet have a mate.”
“Oh. That’s right. Father told me he asked for my hand,” she says haughtily. “Well, sorry to disappoint him, but he’ll need to find a wife elsewhere.”
“You won’t even entertain his offer?” I ask, just to be sure. If she will, then I’ll have no need for the plan I’ve arranged with her father.
“I’m not interested in marriage,” she replies. “Not like this.”
“Like what?” I ask, curious.
“Like I’m some sort of prize to be won.” She sighs. “Besides, I have everything I want right here,” she adds as if she can simply refuse the bargain itself.
“The Dark Elf King will be disappointed to hear of your refusal.”
She frowns. “But I never even saw him today.”
A smile crests my lips. “You still caught his eye.”
“Well, too bad for him.” She scoffs as she stands from the bench. “Your king will be going home empty-handed, just like everyone else.”
Not if I have anything to do with it.
She starts back to the castle.
“Where are you going, Princess?”
“Back to my chambers. Where rude soldiers cannot disturb my peace,” she replies tartly.
A soft huff of laughter escapes me.
When I stand to leave, I sense someone nearby. I whip my head back and find the king with one of his guards. He walks over to me, his gaze tracking Vivienne as she disappears down the garden path.
“She has never been easy,” he says quietly.
“Nor should she be,” I reply. “And I wouldn’t wish her to be anyone other than who she is.”
Edric studies me for a long moment, as if measuring the truth of my words before he exhales slowly. “You’re a good man, Auren. If it were anyone else, I’d be hesitant to do this, but… I believe you’ll be good to my daughter.”
I incline my head. “Always.”
“I hate deceiving her,” he adds, “but I’m left with no choice. I told her you asked for her hand, and wanted to meet her, but she didn’t care. She wouldn’t even listen to reason.” He clenches his jaw. “The bargain will come due soon and I’ll not have her wed to the Goblin King.”
Neither would I. Fierce possessiveness surges through me. Even if the carefully laid plan I’ve made with her father doesn’t work, and she still refuses me, I’ll go to war with the Goblin kingdom rather than allow the bargain to trap her in marriage to their ruthless king.
“Are you sure about this?” King Edric asks. “You’ve seen her fire, but you’ve yet to deal with her anger.”
If she directs her anger at me, so be it. I’ll gladly be a target for her wrath, rather than see her forced to belong to the Goblins. “I’ll find a way to manage.”
The king’s mouth tightens, but he nods once. “Very well.” He shakes my hand. “Then, tomorrow we’ll do what must be done.”
It’s not deception for its own sake. It is the only way to keep her from being claimed by a monster who wouldn’t hesitate to break her.
If she knew the truth, she’d refuse me. And refusal would cost her everything.
Tomorrow, Vivienne will be bound to me and under my protection… even if she does not yet understand why.