I took a step forward despite myself. Asrael’s hand came down on my shoulder, stilling me, as if I could have had a chance to get through that crowd anyway.
Fear winked at me, and then he was gone, climbing the marble stairs to join her.
The queen’s voice echoed through the amphitheater, melodious at any volume. “We will celebrate today with a great hunt of the creatures that have stalked our lands. This is a special day, indeed, because I am pleased to announce my son Fieran’s wedding.”
Shock rippled through me.
How did she know? We hadn’t even completed the vows.
Asrael brushed my side as he shifted, readying himself to reach his sword. Anayla’s fingers flexed at her sides, all of them ready but waiting, not giving away their preparations to attack.
Clan Bismyth had closed ranks around me like a protective wall.
“We have long had an ally in the Kingdom of Caer Lira,” the queen continued. “And I am pleased to continue that friendship by sealing Fieran in marriage to his childhood friend, Zia.”
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe.
Zia.
The name meant nothing to me, but the crowd seemed ecstatic.
“In celebration,” the queen went on, “we will not only have extraordinary hunts and games throughout our labyrinth, but I will also raise one mortal each night to become Fae. A gift for our beloved mortals.”
Wild cheers erupted from the mortal stands, shaking the arena. Hope—false, toxic hope—sparked through them like wildfire.
This was her power.
This was how she controlled them.
And somehow, with this marriage, she’d tighten her chains around Fieran too. She would ruin whatever his plan was with Lightbringer. She would rip him from whatever fragile peace he’d seemed to find when I was in his bed.
“If marrying me will protect you,” I whispered, half to myself, “then I’ll marry you.”
Anayla’s gaze snapped to me, sharp and assessing. “Yes. If we can get Fieran away before the ceremony, and the two of you can say your vows, the queen won’t be able to seal the proposal.”
“He said his half of the vows last night.” I reached up and fumbled with the chain around my neck, trying to find the catch to release it. My fingers were shaking; I kept missing the clasp. Finally, I just pulled hard, yanking it loose. “I just have to finish it.”
Anayla’s eyes widened when she saw the ring dangling from the chain. “Is that what I think it is?”
“The biggest mistake I could possibly make?” I asked wryly, my voice steady only through sheer will.
But I couldn’t let the queen bind Fieran to Zia.
I slipped the ring onto my finger and repeated the words of the vows Fieran had said to me the night before. “I will be at your side in the darkness and when the sun rises. I bind my shadow to your shadow and my light to your light. I weave your family into mine and curse your enemies to my blade.”
Strange tears prickle in my eyes again, just as they had when Fear said his vows; I wasn’t sure if it was because I was settling myself into Fear’s trap or because I meant the damned words or both. “If fate marked us, I choose you freely; I choose you utterly even if there is no fate.”
Anayla caught her breath as the ring lit, the sigils on it glowing gold.
“Their proposal will be blocked,” she murmured. “But I don’t know if the queen will realize why yet.”
She exchanged a worried look with Dairen and Asrael.
Kiegan shouldered his way through the press of bodies, teeth bared in irritation at anyone who didn’t move fast enough. His arrival snapped something into place among the others; whatever silent language Clan Bismyth shared rippled through them like a signal.
“I married him,” I told him softly.
His gaze met mine with the frank acceptance that had marked our friendship. “Then let’s get you far away from a queen, who is going to berealvengeful.”
