Total pages in book: 197
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 186911 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 935(@200wpm)___ 748(@250wpm)___ 623(@300wpm)
“A garden?”
A beautiful, snow-covered garden spreading as far as the towering woods would allow. It was amazing. Dare I say, even more amazing than the Lyrican palace gardens. That place was taken up by gaudy, large statues of past kings while here, there was nothing but the natural beauty of nature’s prize.
“What is this place?” A white-dusted path lay before me, leading to a silver cauldron nested among a frozen rose bush. I went closer, gazing down into dark, inky liquid like the white stuff Aeris carried out behind us—followed by four other servants. Two of them men, and one carrying a bowl identical to hers. Bradach and a limping Foalan came outside behind them.
Somewhere amid the time I was being carried around like a child, Aeris, Bradach, Foalan, and the attendants dressed themselves in similar sheer black cloaks.
I scanned my mind for trace knowledge of ancient High Fae marriage customs, but returned nothing. Not only did I not know, but it seemed Emiana didn’t know what was about to happen here either.
“Not that it matters,” I said, stepping back and facing him. “I had no wish to marry you in the first place. I am hardly going to marry you more. You can force me into that cauldron. You can make me repeat my vow to make your days a nightmare, your nights cold and barren, and your life short. But what you will not do is make me your mate in any way that matters.
“The wife you never wanted is going,” I said, walking off. “This time, I leave you at the altar.”
“Another bold speech,” he replied to my back. “Do hang on to that bluster after you’ve fallen off the cliff you’re headed toward, and land in the nest of Taken living below.”
I ground to a halt—the cold leeching the feeling from my bare feet. Sharp, naked fear choked at the very thought of seeing those terrible creatures again.
“Or,” he drew out, grinding my teeth. “You come back, willingly step into this cauldron, recite the proper vows, and take your place as Queen Emiana, High Lady of Lumenfell.”
“Why in Meya’s name would I do that?” I snapped.
“Because then and only then... will I accept your deal.”
“My deal?” I turned around, interest piqued despite my instincts yelling at me to run. “What deal?”
He threw off his cloak, exploding heat in my treacherous, stolen body. I thanked the cold. That I could blame for the unfortunate effect he had on me.
“I was more than clear,” he said, stepping into the cauldron. “My little bird flying away to whisper lies into the ear of a pompous, old fool is no boon to me. What I want is you.”
“Me?” I cried, stepping back.
“I want you as my queen and my wife in every sense of those words. Your body mine to plunder. Your lips mine to plump. Your hand mine to hold as you take your seat beside my throne. I want to bend you over and take you like the beast you believe me to be—making you cum so hard, your screams pierce the veil and Meya strikes us down from sheer jealous—”
“Stop!” I shrieked, face on fire. Did this man know shame? How could he speak to me like that in front of his servants, companion, and the commander of his army! “Why would you want these things? Your man, Bradach, told me the truth. You never wanted me here. You had no intention of marrying me.”
“I want these things, my queen...” His smile stretched over his sharpened canines. “Because you don’t.”
I chilled, lips pressing into a thin line. With that, the question of who was right—Bradach or Aeris—was answered. This wasn’t about love, attraction, or honor.
This was punishment.
“You say such a thing and then expect me to willingly get into that cauldron? You’re insane.”
His smirk went nowhere. “If you do not willingly step into the cauldron, I’ll have to assume your desire to return to your homeland was not as strong as you led me to believe.”
I stilled.
“Seems those things you needed to do were not important after all.”
I licked my lips, swallowing hard. Just like that, he had me. “You’re saying you’ll let me return to Lyrica?”
“Circumstances will say, Princess, not me.” He swept out his hands. “Within this cauldron, we will name our true vows—yours to do everything in your power to be free, and mine to do all in my power to keep you caged.
“As the runes dry on our skin, you will run,” he hissed. “Run as fast and as far as you can. If you elude me until daybreak, the die is cast and you will have won. I will be rune-bound to let you leave without a fight.”
“I—”
“But,” he sliced off. “If I catch you, little bird, I will ravage you where you fall—consummating our unholy union before Meya and all who’ve gathered to see. And so it will be every night until you’ve either escaped your fate, or accepted it.”