I smile while the worm writhes, crying for escape.
“He’s yours, Hiss.” I point to him, and the fairies descend on the old fae in seconds.
They are ruthless, biting, tearing skin, gouging holes in his face and body. I refuse to look away, because if I intend to take my role in this realm, I must show strength.
My princes stand by, watching the man who brought so much grief to their lives finally get what he deserves. Though in truth, I do feel like they are killing him a bit too fast. This should be elongated, drawn out a bit more.
The slurping and chewing sounds are muffled by the terrified sounds of the guests. Yep, this is definitely not the wedding that was planned. I somehow doubt anyone will ever forget today. Ahren draws back his wings, and gets dressed, and I catch the smirk on his face. This is something so long overdue for him.
Most in the audience don’t know where to look… him or the ruthless end to a horrible fae.
My mother comes to my side along with Ramond, carrying his bowl of blood.
“It’s time they saw the truth so you can take your rightful place,” my mother reminds me. She grasps a blade and runs the sharp end down her palm in a quick swipe. She turns her hand sideways and lets her blood drip into the bowl that still holds blood from King Tibout and me.
Ramond runs his hand over the liquid, blue energy covering the surface. Then he offers the bowl to Hiss. “This will work on any fairy,” he reassures us.
Hiss looks at me, and I nod, praying this time goes better than the last.
My heart beats frantically. Nerves zip up my spine with worry that this will fail.
I remember when I was small, and I once had to wait for blood test results because they feared I might be epileptic. The wait was excruciating. But that doesn’t come close in comparison to this. This is a hundred times worse.
Ahren’s face is stoic, eyes glued to Hiss, who lands on the mage’s arm and leans in, tasting the blood. Seconds later, she is feverishly lapping at the offering.
Her head suddenly jerks up, mouth covered in blood, more dripping from her chin. Her eyes are wide like she’s tripping on something really good.
I want to shut my eyes and turn away so I don’t have to watch this. All I can picture in my mind is her bursting about wildly. Coldness floods me, and it chills me at the core. My knees tremble.
The fairy dunks her face back into the dish, loving every drop.
My mother takes my hand in hers and leans over. “There is nothing you need to fear. Ever again.”
Suddenly, the little critter pulls her head up, and several people in the room gasp in anticipation.
I hold my breath, watching her surge into clumsy flight toward me, her wings stretching out, twitching. The more I look at her, the more I expect her any second now to burst into a frenzy.
My mother grasps my arm.
And I hold my breath while we wait.
Chapter 20
Ahren
Every inch of me aches, including where I’d been kicked in the balls by a fucking guard. But now I can’t move as I follow every stiff, jutting movement the fairy makes.
This day will go down in history—the entire realm will talk about this—but all I care about is keeping Guendolyn safe. If she’ll have me, I’ll take my place by her side.
The fairy suddenly drops out of the air and lands clumsily on Guendolyn’s shoulder. Finding her balance, the fairy settles down on her knees. Her head tilts downward, and she begins to snore softly. Guendolyn collects her into her arms, while the rest of the fairies surround us and watch.
“It’s a match,” Ramond announces loudly, making everyone flinch. “Guendolyn is the daughter of King Tibout of Shadow Court and Queen Sarey of Ash Court. She is the rightful heir to both kingdoms.”
No one dares speak or even move with that announcement, and I’m bursting with joy on the inside. I want this for her more than I could have ever thought. “Oh Guendolyn,” I say and move to her with haste. “This is everything you deserve.”
Guendolyn gasps, her expression one of shock, as if she can’t believe her ears. With glistening eyes, she wraps her arms around my middle, and I embrace her, kissing the top of her head.
My mother looks at me strangely.
“This is who I want to marry,” I declare loud enough for all to hear. “If her and the Queen of Ash Court will have me.”
“Yes,” she answers. “I want to marry all three of you.”
There are gasps from the crowd, but it isn’t an uncommon event for a queen or king to take more than one partner to rule alongside them. My brothers join us, and I’ve never been so happy. I never expected to find this kind of joy amid death, never expected that somehow I’d find a way out of the corner I’d been wedged into.
I glance over to where the guests are dispersing around the room and catch the eye of the advisors from the kingdom to our east. I was meant to marry their princess, yet they stare at me with anger burning in her eyes. My first point of call is to address this with them and apologize for how today has turned out. I wave over to my advisor, Mael and instruct him to take our guests from the east to where Queen Titania, her husband and daughter wait in the castle. “I won’t be long and don’t let them leave.” It’s a hard conversation I am hoping I can smooth over for the sake of our relations.
“Of course.” He bows his head and rushes away. I hate that they’ve been put in this situation, but I won’t change that I finally got what I wanted.
The
