18. The Stolen Bride
Ipaced outside of the Fae King’s study, unsure of whether to go in or not. Why had he asked me here tonight? Did he wish to harangue me for wandering in the woods after dark? Did he wish to discuss wedding preparations? I truly had no idea. The man was so hot and cold. I found I didn’t understand him at all.
Our first meeting had been nothing short of electric. Down by the pond, cast in moonlight, he had been equal parts seductive and charming. The magnetic pull between us had been undeniable. As much as I hated to admit it now, I had hoped my father would present him as a marriage candidate.
On our second meeting, I had been desperate, seeking my lost golden shell. He had taken advantage of my moment of weakness and deceived me. He had bound us together in this way I could not escape.
Then on our third meeting, he had turned into a monster. A fae. A bringer of storms and destruction. He had threatened my family and stolen me away.
But that monster had saved my life, twice.
Upon our arrival, just outside his dark bedchambers, he had not asked for what I was not yet willing to give. He had not once slipped into my bedroom uninvited or demanded my presence in his.
I was provided for–my room was comfortable, the meals were extravagant, new clothing filled my wardrobe, and his staff looked after me with care. He had allowed me to roam his island freely.
None of this made him a hero, but it also meant he wasn’t a monster. No matter how much I wanted him to be. If he were, it would be simpler. I could truly hate him. But the Fae King was… complex.
And so were my feelings.
Had he really given me his Book of Iron because he cared? Is that why he had entrusted me with its wealth of generational secrets?
Someone cleared their throat behind me. I jumped and turned to see Harry. ”You scared me!” I said, placing my hand over my heart.
He grinned. ”Go on. He won’t bite.”
I should have done as he said, but my head and heart were still too full of uncertainties. ”Why? Why am I here?”
His easy smile faltered. ”That’s a question you will have to ask Forrest. Not me.” I bit my lip. ”You’re right, of course.” I paused, then admitted, ”But I feel stupid.”
”You’re not stupid. Talk to him. Get to know him. You might find he’s not so bad when you get past the surface.”
I stood there for another moment, pondering his words. Did I want to get to know the Fae King? I wasn’t sure. Yet, I knew I couldn’t continue living like this, tiptoeing around our rooms and waiting for his summons. I needed to know what I was to him. Did he truly intend to marry me, or was I some sort of pet?
”Thanks, Harry,” I said.
He patted me awkwardly on the shoulder. ”Go on.”
I gathered my courage and turned the door knob.
Forrest must have heard me enter with those large, pointed ears, but he didn’t look up. He was sitting in a large leather wingback chair, thumbing through an ancient text. The binding appeared to be unraveling, and a page or two appeared close to falling on the floor.
In front of him was a small table with tea service and a second wingback chair.
I walked closer and said, ”Good evening.”
He made a sound in the back of this throat that indicated he was not having a good evening. Then gestured for me to sit. ”Sit down. We have much to discuss.”
”Yes, we do,” I said, frowning.
”Would you care for tea?” he offered in a stilted formal tone, gesturing to the tray in front of us.
When I was nervous, I found it always helpful to have a cup of tea nearby. It stopped me from fiddling with my gown or hair. Something my governess had despised. ”You can’t simply wear your heart on your sleeve. You are a princess,” she had admonished.
So, I accepted his offer and moved to pour myself a cup.
To my surprise, he stopped me. ”Please, allow me,” he said.
I watched as he lifted the teapot with care, his elegant fingers caressing the fragile porcelain. He poured the amber liquid into a small tea cup shaped like a lotus. ”How do you take your tea?” he asked.
”Um, just honey please.”
Wordlessly, he obliged, swirling a small spoon of honey.
I was bewildered by his sudden show of polite attentiveness. Other than servants, no man had ever poured me a cup of tea. The act of service felt strangely intimate.
He returned the cup to its saucer beside me.
I sipped in a thick silence that neither of us dared to break. Finally, I couldn’t take it any longer. A dam burst within me, and I blurted out, ”I want to know why I’m here.”
He frowned in confusion. ”The study? If you’d rather, we could move to the terrace, I suppose? The weather is-”
”Not here,” I gestured around the room wildly. ”Why am I on this island? Why did you choose me? What exactly are your intentions?”
He reached out and took my shaking hands in his much larger ones. Instinctively, my eyes turned up toward his piercing green ones. He was so beautiful. All of the fae were, but he was even more stunning than the others. Don’t be foolish, I cautioned myself. They are glamours.
But I knew they weren’t just glamours. Even in his weakened state the other day, he still possessed high cheekbones, a long, regal nose, and that lustrous black hair that I could imagine running my hands through.
Sitting this close to him and with his eyes locked on mine, I felt my breath catch. Was he going to kiss me?
Instead, he spoke, ”I’ve neglected you since your arrival. You are my responsibility, and I never should have allowed you to wander those woods alone. For that, I apologize.”
He spoke of me like I was a child–silly, unguarded, and in need of protection. Maybe in his world I was, but it wasn’t what I wanted to talk about. I pulled my hands away. ”I don’t want your apologies. I want answers.”
He considered me for a long, thoughtful moment. ”And what are your questions?”
Demands rolled off my tongue like a tsunami. ”I want to know why I’m here and what your intentions are. I want to know where you go during the day, and why you’ve been avoiding me. I want to know that you’ve kept your vow, that my sister and father are safe. I want to see Briar again. ”
He blinked several times as my words washed over him. Then he straightened in his chair. ”I will answer your questions, if you answer mine.”
”Your questions?” I asked in surprise. What questions could he possibly have of me? I had no secrets.
His face turned thoughtful. ”I despise lies. Will you be truthful with me, little sparrow? Could we, one day, share an intimacy of the mind as well as body?” He tipped my chin up to look at him. ”Will you lie to me?”
I swallowed and licked my dry lips. ”Yes,” I admitted.
A smile flickered across his face. ”Thank you.” Then he kissed my lips softly.
I closed my eyes, but it was over as soon as it had begun—like a whisper, like a secret, like a promise. One I was beginning to hope he would keep.
”Any other answer would have been a lie,” he said. ”Despite that, I will answer your questions. First, you are here because I intend to marry you.”
My jaw hung open in surprise. Somehow, I had convinced myself otherwise.
”I’m sorry I made you feel that was not so. In two week’s time, we will celebrate our engagement with a Full Moon Revel. Fae from all of the courts will attend.”
My heart was still racing from his kiss. Still, I had to pull myself together, he had only given me one answer. ”What about my family?” I pressed.
”Your father and sister are unharmed, as promised. I’ve even had the wisps check in a few times.”
”Why did you choose me?” I asked.
He paused and held my gaze for a long moment. ”When we met by the pond that first night, you were wild and free and so beautiful. Did you feel nothing?”
I felt a blush burn across my cheeks. I had felt many things.
He caressed my flushed cheek. ”Your lips may lie, but you’re blushing. I rather like that. Be mine. You’ll have the finest clothing and jewels. You’ll never want for anything.”
I pulled back. ”You must be joking! You thought what? You would drag me here, and I would simply fall head over heels for you?”
”Why not? I’m handsome. I’m rich. I’m powerful. ”
Of course, he was handsome enough for anyone. Though I’d not be saying that to him. ”You think human women are so cheaply bought.”
His brow furrowed. ”I’ve seen many human women marry for wealth and for standing.”
I rose from my chair. ”You forget. I lack neither,” I said with venom dripping in my tone. ”You’ll have to offer something more.” I reached down, my eyes locked on his, and tapped the fae king’s chest, right above his hollowed heart.