So that was her plan. She was afraid of the Dagger and needed me because I could touch it. It only worked on the High Fae. Which is probably the reason my grandmother had hesitated to get the Dagger back until now; she always intended for me to be the one to get the Dagger for her. She was a cunning ruler and a master strategist. I never realized she needed me more than I needed her.
“How do we know she won’t use the Dagger against us?” said one of the Elders who had not spoken until now. I recognized him from the feast, but I didn’t know his name. “She is half mage, how do we know her loyalties lie with us and not with them? How do we know she will not keep the Dagger for herself or give it to the mages to use as a sword over our heads forever?”
“You think I haven’t thought of that?” said the fae queen, her eyes narrowing. “Aurora will prove her loyalty to the fae before she is granted our army.”
Dyanara scrunched her eyebrows together. “And how are you going to ensure that?”
“Aurora will marry one of the High Fae,” Izadora announced.
“What!” I blurted out, unable to stop myself. “That was not our agreement.”
Izadora raised her eyebrows. “Have you forgotten your oath? You said you would do everything I asked.” Her gold eyes flashed. “If you do not marry into a powerful fae family, our army will never follow you into battle. It is the only way to ensure their loyalty—and yours.”
“And who am I supposed to marry?” I said, crossing my arms. This was going too far, but if I refused outright, my oath would be broken and I would never get her help.
My grandmother looked back at me, unflinching. “You will marry Prince Tristan before the spring festival of Ostara is over, and you will become a princess of the Night Court. Your children will be more fae than mage, and they will be my heirs.”
I found Tristan stalking the hallways and ran up to him.
“Did you know?” I asked, falling into step with him.
He flicked a glance at me but didn’t smile. “Yes. Your grandmother summoned me before the council meeting and expressed her wish to have us wed before the spring festival.”
“And you agreed?” My hands balled into fists. “She can’t force us to marry.”
“She can.” Tristan sighed sharply and stopped to look at me. “And she will. If it makes you feel any better, I don’t wish to be bound by wedlock to you, but I had no choice either. I, too, am compelled by my oath to do as she commands.”
“I can’t get married. We can’t get married. I don’t want to marry anyone, not yet, I’m only seventeen.” I was babbling, and my brain screamed in protest that I had no other way out. I didn’t want to be forced to marry. Rafe was not an option, but I still did not want to marry anybody else.
“I don’t have time for this,” Tristan growled and resumed walking. “There have been reports of attacks on the training camps in the southern range of the Wildflower Mountains.”
“What sort of attacks?” I asked, running after him.
“Werewraiths.”
“Then let me come with you,” I said, finally catching up with him. “I know how to fight them, I can help.”
Tristan’s eyes narrowed. “Fine,” he said abruptly, “you need to practice anyway. Just don’t get killed.”
“I’ll do my best.” I grinned, despite the situation. At least Tristan didn’t coddle me like the others did. I had to learn to make my own decisions, and I knew I could fight werewraiths. I was fire-fae, this was what I was made for. Only concentrated silver fire could kill a werewraith. The other fae would be defenseless against them.
“But I’m not taking you into the southern mountains without backup.”
My spine stiffened. “I can be your backup.”
“You are not going to be watching my back. I will be watching yours. The mountains are treacherous and there are creatures living there that are more ancient and dangerous than any you have come across. I would prefer not to have my potential betrothed killed before the wedding. Cade is my backup.”
“And who is Cade’s backup?” I huffed.
“He doesn’t need any,” said Tristan, walking into the armory. “He has me.”
I rolled my eyes. Tristan was afraid of nothing, and I was glad to have him on my side. As a friend he was great, and once you got used to his moodiness and temper, he wasn’t so bad. But marrying him was something altogether different.
I would have to find a way to get out of it without breaking my oath to my grandmother.
The Temple
Dawn broke over the snowy peaks of the Wildflower Mountains, bathing the hidden valley of Iris in its warm glow. Most of the castle was still asleep when Tristan, Cade, and I began our journey to the southern mountain range.
Two griffins were waiting outside the city gates, but Snow wasn’t back yet, and I was disappointed. I missed my pegasus and hoped she was okay.
Tristan helped me onto the griffin and jumped up behind me, taking the reins as I held on to the light saddle. The griffin tensed, spread its massive wings, and with a jerk pounced into the sky. It was so sudden, I would have fallen off if Tristan hadn’t been holding me. I guess griffin riding was different from riding a pegasus. The griffin stretched its vast wings as it caught a strong wind and we soared over the clouds toward the southern slopes
