“Huh?”
“Boyfriend and girlfriend kind of thing?” I sound like a thirteen-year-old, even to myself.
He nods. “If that is what you call it on Earth, then yes, we will announce to everyone that you and I are betrothed for the sake of rules. This way, no more hiding, and you can easily be with us.”
My heart stops, and I push myself to sit up on the bed, crossing my legs. “What?” I suddenly can’t speak, and my heart is racing at a million miles an hour.
“It’s only to ensure that no one questions your presence in the mansion. And we can arrange for you to marry us as that is permitted.”
My entire body is strung so tight. One second ago I thought he was proposing our engagement, and now he’s implying it’s going to be fake. Does that mean he doesn’t want that? My head hurts, especially since this never crossed my mind until now. I adore the guys more than anything, and it kills me that I don’t understand what is going on with Ahren. But I don’t want to lose them, and I guess that means eventually ending up together for life. My thoughts ramble endlessly, while my chest constricts.
He kneels on the mattress in front of me, still in his pants, and reaches over to cup my face with one hand. “Are you going to be sick? You’ve suddenly gone pale.”
I swallow the thickness in my throat. “So, you don’t want to be betrothed to me?” They aren’t the words I intended to ask, or the conversation I expected us to have. My cheeks blush that I made such a presumption or put Luther on the spot.
At this point, all I want is to feel safe and keep the three princes with me. To feel their kisses, their touches, their bodies against mine. Yeah, it sounds simple and maybe greedy—the voice in my head reminds me of that constantly—but is it wrong to want happiness?
Luther's smile warms me, but I don’t want to talk about this any longer. All I’m doing is setting myself up for disappointment. He takes my hand and guides me off the bed.
“Come with me,” he instructs.
I follow him to the window across the room from us. The trees sway wildly in the storm, the snow coming down at an angle now, the wind whistling past.
“Look straight ahead down the path.”
Squinting, I tilt my head to the side and catch a perfect tiny view of the castle—the tall towers, the ridged bridges, the arched windows—all smothered in snow. It reminds me of a snow globe.
“It’s beautiful.”
“Once Ahren takes the throne, Deimos and I will rule the Shadow Court with him, but there are rules that come with such roles. We can’t be seen in public with females unless we are courting them with the intention to marry them.”
My breath catches in my throat, and I can’t turn around as he embraces me from behind. I don’t know where this conversation is going, but my stomach is turning. I really can’t take any more surprises or disappointments right now.
“Deimos and I have talked about this. We both agreed that to keep you close to us, you will be betrothed to us.” His arms squeeze me slightly as he kisses the side of my face.
I blink and twist around in his arms. “So like, a fake engagement?”
He narrows his gaze at me. “Why fake?”
My head spins at what he’s saying, and I don’t want to jump at conclusions. “Does betrothed mean something else in this world than it does on Earth?”
“It means we have the intention to marry.”
The cold shock of his response knocks the breath out of me. Except, I’m missing something. “So, we will pretend to be engaged for as long as…” I don’t know how to continue that, because what happens next? I still don’t know where I really live or belong.
“You will have a new identity, but this isn't pretend, little wolf.”
I stare into his genuine expression, and my stomach twists into knots, my knees close to giving out under me.
“You’re asking me to marry you? For real?”
He stiffens and pulls back from me, and my heart stops beating for a few moments.
“You’re right. I did this completely wrong.” He gets down on one knee in front of me and fiddles with his hands, then looks at me.
Those stunning eyes, crowned by thick brows.
This prince is addictive.
He’s royalty.
Everything I would ever want in a man.
And he’s about to propose to me…
My eyes prick with tears while my heart clenches. This can’t be right… can it? Is he pranking me?
“Guendolyn, will you marry me?” He stretches out his open palm toward me.
Shock hurtles through me. I adore this fae beyond belief… Hell, I love him.
Emotions tumble through me so fast I can't think, and I rush into his arms as he stands, tears running down my cheeks. We collide spectacularly, and he embraces me, lifts me off my feet.
“Oh, little wolf, you are so beautiful. And that's a yes then?”
I'm laughing, and when he finally puts me back onto my feet, I wipe my tears and nod crazily. “You're being serious, right? Like a real marriage, not a ruse just to get me to stay in the castle?”
Luther's face morphs into a serious look, and he cups my face, forcing me to look at him. “I do not joke about these things. My intentions are to marry you for life. I hadn't intended to ask you here and now, or like this, but I love spontaneity. It's been that way since you entered our lives.” He kisses me as his thumbs wipe away my tears. “I love you, little wolf.”
My whole body trembles to hear those words. I keep my eyes trained on his, at the way he smiles at me with genuine emotion. There's no teasing or assessing, just a fae opening himself up to me.
He lifts my hand, and I look down as
