Chapter 34
‘Inow pronounce you husband and wife.’
I feel like I’ve stepped outside my body.
Agatha’s heavy exhale breaks the silence. She looks around in disbelief.
I’m equally stunned. What a nightmare. A nightmare of all nightmares, because I won’t be waking up from this.
Every Kingsland descendant has pictured this moment.
It’s supposed to be the most incredible, unforgettable time – so intense that the wedding ceremony comes after the food and dancing.
Because once the vows are spoken and the connection slips into place, the last thing any newlywed wants is to be surrounded by a crowd.
Not when they’re stumbling into each other’s memories for the first time. Sensing each other’s emotions.
Desperate to be alone.
Instead, I’m gutted. Never would I have imagined that I’d reach this moment and not want to bond with my partner. Not want to experience every single way the connection deepens and amplifies that closeness.
The knife disappears from my neck, and I’m hauled to my feet, although they don’t release me. The crowd has the decency to not give more than a pathetic applause.
Agatha’s smile is careful. Hopeful. She’s obviously not sensing my devastation yet, which is surprising.
I don’t expect the connection to arrive with the usual mind-blowing fanfare because we don’t know each other.
I can’t even say I trust her, which will probably mean our access to what we can share is limited.
But shouldn’t I feel something by now? Shouldn’t she?
Unless – I straighten – it didn’t work. Does it matter that I didn’t want this? That I didn’t choose her? Maybe the connection recognises that I made my promises to Marian first, even though we never completed the ceremony.
With every second that passes without sensing anything from Agatha, the more the tight bands on my chest loosen.
Until I remember: I still spoke a vow. Connection or not, we’re married.
Atlas stares at me as if I’m a snake about to shed my skin. ‘Did it work?’
‘Did what work?’ I snap.
‘The magic.’ He turns to Agatha. ‘Do you feel anything?’ He lowers his voice. ‘Can you see his thoughts? His memories?’
Agatha frowns.
I bite back a curse, then a dozen more. Bloody hellfire, Rufus. ‘I don’t know what you’re talking about.’ Even I don’t believe my voice.
‘You don’t know about a family magic that’s activated by marriage? Well, your father had a lot to say. He was rather convincing. And since I’m always looking for magic, naturally, I was very intrigued.’
My head shakes as I search for the face of the man who has been nothing but a walking disappointment. ‘Yeah, well he’s a liar.’
Not to mention a repeat offender – this is the second time Rufus has upended my life in pursuit of the connection.
Agatha squints, confused. Clearly, she has questions, which I won’t be answering … not if the connection didn’t take.
‘Where’s Rufus? Bring Rufus,’ Atlas barks over his shoulder.
‘Yes, your eminence,’ Rufus says as he jogs over, careful not to meet my glare.
‘It didn’t work,’ Atlas says, irritated. ‘Were you lying?’
‘N-no, sir,’ Rufus sputters. ‘I told you everything I knew, which wasn’t much. But they’re hardly giving the magic a chance. He doesn’t even want her.’ He gestures at Agatha. ‘What did you expect?’
‘You failed to mention that part,’ Atlas says, voice menacing.
Rufus retreats a step. ‘I thought you’d let him marry the other girl. Marian.’ He’s shouting now. ‘She’s the one he wanted.’ His wild eyes finally slide to mine, but I won’t be saving him. He did this to himself.
‘Enough,’ Atlas growls. ‘Get him out of here.’
‘Ryland,’ Rufus begs as he’s dragged away by guardsmen. ‘Explain how it works. Tell him I was speaking the truth. I was only trying to help you anyway,’ he shouts. ‘You have to believe me.’
‘Take him to Halkirk Tower,’ Atlas instructs, ‘until I decide what to do with him.’
‘Release me,’ I demand. ‘I’ve fulfilled our deal.’
Atlas is slow to give me his attention. ‘Actually, that’s not true. There is one thing we’ve forgotten. You haven’t kissed your bride yet.’
Marian takes a sharp breath. Mine feels like it’s been stolen.
Atlas ticks his head at Agatha, and she strides to where I’m still being held immobile by the guards. She leans in, hands cupping my jaw.
The kiss isn’t quick. The tenderness in it confuses me.
Something foreign hits me on the inside. Little explosions of hope and excitement. A warmth swims in my gut.
It feels off. Inauthentic. It doesn’t make sense how I could be feeling that.
It’s because I’m not.
I rear back. No.
Bile rises in my throat. I step on the boots of a guard behind me as I back away. But there’s no escaping this. The connection has taken hold and we’re joined now.
Irreversibly.
Agatha’s flushed face transforms from confusion into a mask of hurt as she picks up on what I’m feeling. Panic. Horror. The sensation of drowning, because I’ve just been tossed headfirst into the deepest pit with no chance of climbing out. ‘What? What’s hap—?’
I reach for her, gripping her hand. Don’t say anything, I beg her with a look. Atlas watches us closely, but I’m done letting him pull my strings.
Agatha swallows, then clears her throat. ‘I want to request a proper honeymoon.’
What?
She gives my hand a squeeze. Trust me.
I’m unnerved. One touch, and I know exactly what she’s doing – getting us out of here so we can talk and figure things out.
Together.
Piece by piece, the weight of how much my world just changed is sinking in. By far, this is the most devastating day of my life.
Atlas hesitates, sharp eyes tracking our every move. Then he lets out a peal of laughter. ‘Brilliant idea. Guards. Accompany Agatha and Ryland to my private cottage, so our happy couple can be alone together.’