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Shadowsoul didn’t pay me a lick of attention. Carrying me through the shining, gilded halls, he ignored my ranting, kicking, raving, and my bluff.
Of course I wasn’t going to follow him to the ceremony if he proposed. I only wanted him to drop his head, so I could break the basin over it.
Mind reading did not exist, and still he remained twelve steps ahead of me.
“Put me down!”
Alisdair carried me through double doors and a blast of cold burrowed into my bones, banishing the lingering warmth of the steamy bath. The world spun and I was right way up, gazing at an impossible sight.
Roses, violas, poppies, and primrose. Bluebells, snapdragons, witch hazel, and hellebores. Flowers of every color and type surrounded me, fighting to spread their loveliness among blanketing, smothering white.
“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 wastaken 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 youmore. 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 younever wantedis 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.
