“I have an idea, but you might not like it.”I exhaled, wishing I could look into her eyes while I explained to her what I wanted to do. I needed to gauge her reaction.
It wasn’t as easy as, ‘I know you’re the future queen, but do you mind if we commit a little treason on the side?’ It would be a secret she would have to carry to her grave.
Could I put her in a position to carry this secret from her future husband for the rest of her life?
“Why wouldn’t I like it?”her internal question came with a sly smile and a bit of intrigue.
I resented myself for not going in that direction. “I don’t want to tell you without you knowing that once you know, youcan’t go back. And protecting these fae will mean lying to the future King for the rest of your life.”
She snorted and patted my shoulder a little condescendingly. “You sweet son of the Goddess. What part of my existence do you think I won’t have to lie to him about?”
I frowned. “Huh?”
“Do you not recall how we spent last night?”
If I’d been in my fae form, rouge would have crept up my face. I was shocked that she was happy to open that subject. “It’s not the same.”
“No? How about our ryder bond?”
“Well…”
“Or the other?”
I swallowed hard, remaining silent.
She knew.
But then, of course she knew. Had she given me any cause to doubt her astuteness thus far?
“This is not even speaking to the objections of my own people and our not agreeing with the so-called King's illegitimate rule. This marriage is already making me swallow all I am to my core. What’s one more thing?”
“When you put it that way…” I felt even worse for still planning on leaving her there once she was safe. How could I do it and live with myself?
“Just tell me.”
“There is a rebel camp on the border of the Night Kingdom. They may let us recover there and feed us.”I waited with bated breath.
“And you’re just telling me now?”
“Why would I have told you before?”I asked, confused.
“Because I have surely expressed to you clearly my quite anti-monarchical views, so I would have thought if you knew ofa movement I am deducing is aligned with that, you might have mentioned it.”
“I’m not trying to get you to join them. Just hide out.”
“Maybe this is all in His plan? If I am forced to be the future King's wife, this might be my path to win the freedom of my kingdom. Nova told me everything happens for a reason, and I’m starting to think she’s right.”Determination showed in her voice.
I couldn’t argue with her, but how could I encourage her to put herself in harm’s way?
“Never mind. It was a stupid idea.”I wracked my brain to come up with another option.
“Excuse me?”
“What?”
“I accepted enthusiastically, and you are now refusing?”There was a bite to her words.
“Because I can’t put you at further risk.”
