With a final nod, Dietan sits back on his heels and pushes his hair from his face, rain soaking him to the bone as he looks helplessly to the sky. My dread only compounds the longer I stare at the lifeless body. A man’s life was snuffed out by magic as untouchable as the wind. How can anyone stop creatures like the Kilandrar?How can he ask me to face them again?
I can feel Dietan staring at me, and when I meet his gaze, I can barely breathe. His eyes are full of conviction; his determination tugs at my heart. Rain and tears roll together down his cheeks. He’s angry, and he is brave, and right now, more than ever, he’s the prince of Loegria. Noble and proud and carrying the suffering of his people.
…
Later that morning, the royal carriages are restocked for the road, and their horses stomp in the mud, restless to get back on the road. But my sisters aren’t with them. Lord Jared, Ophelia, and Sonja have been ordered to stay behind. Three were lost to the Kilandrar last night, and it is much too dangerous to travel. The prince has instructed his friend and a couple of remaining guards to secure the town and then escort the twins to Lundenwic when it’s safe.
All of Evandale has turned out to say goodbye and watch the prince and his entourage leave—except for me. I’m here for a different purpose.
I’m surprised to see Dietan securing the rest of the bags alongside his men when I approach. I’m carrying a rucksack that holds everything I own in this world, including my trusty skillet and pouch of healing herbs.
I’ve been wrestling with my decision since this morning.
“Fine. I’ll do it,” I announce without preamble. “I’ll marry you.” There are rapturous cheers from the onlookers. I see the marquis absolutely seething amongst the happy crowd. I guess he was right to be worried about me after all.
I lower my voice so only Dietan can hear. “I mean, I’ll pretend to marry you.”
To mysurprise, he shakes his head. “No.”
“No?” I huff. I want to strangle this annoying man. “Isn’t this what you want?” I whisper through a gritted smile. “I thought you’d be ecstatic.”
Dear goddess, is he going to make me beg? Some men like that sort of thing. But I’m not going to beg; I’m going to murder him.
He latches the final strap. “After I left the Raven’s Beak this morning, I walked the town for hours, thinking over what I’d asked of you, what dangers lie ahead, and I realized I made a mistake.”
He leans down and looks me in the eye, and I know we’re both remembering the horror we just faced in my tavern. To the town, this must look like a sweet lovers’ conversation, not a deep discussion about the future of the kingdom. I can’t stop thinking about the guardsman’s bulging eyes and pain-stricken face. “I was wrong to even ask. I won’t put you in harm’s way,” he says, looking weary and much older than his twenty-two years. “I can’t.”
“But if I don’t go with you to Alba, it imperils your mission and both kingdoms,” I remind him. “You need me.” I can’t believe I’m trying to talk him into taking me on this death march. So much for not begging.
“I don’t. Aren, I’ve changed my mind. I can’t bring you into this. It’s just too dangerous. I never should have asked in the first place.”
I will not let him break up with me in front of this entire town before we are even fake-married.
“But you did ask, and the answer is yes,” I say sternly. “You came to Evandale to find a bride, didn’t you? Well, here she is.”
When he doesn’t reply, I press on. “This is what you planned to do, so let’s do it.” I silently beseech him to take me at my word before I lose my courage. I could stay—just go home and hide from these living nightmares, under Lord Jared’s protection.
Dietan studies me intensely. “Are you sure?”
“You said you’d pay triple, right?” I flash him my best smile, and I name my price. This is a transaction, as he said, nothing more. I can make sure Father’s taken care of with or without Lord Jared’s charity—and still have my freedom at the end of all this.
If I survive.
Finally, he relents. “If I agree, you must promise me that you will leave with my guards the minute there is trouble. You will come back here or go to court or wherever else you want to go. I can’t put you in danger, or I would never be able to live with myself.”
“Deal.” I shrug as if it’s all the same to me, even as my heart seizes at the thought that he might send me away in the future.
I tell myself I’m here for the money, but to be honest, I know I can’t let him face those monsters on his own.
“This is what you wanted, right?” I say, as if I don’t care what he thinks.
He shrugs an even bigger shrug. “Fine. Have it your way, Aren,” he relents. I can see the pain behind his eyes, and I know the road ahead of us will be bumpy.
Dietan turns to the crowd and announces we are officially engaged. The crowd whoops and hollers in joy at the news.
If the people of Evandale are surprised by the swift turn of events, they take it in stride. A royal bride has been found! Right in their own town! There should have been a party to end all parties, but the prince and his betrothed (who would normally be catering any such party) are to leave right away.
The twins are beside themselves with happiness when I find them in the crowd. “Oh, Aren! You’ll be a princess!” cries Sonja.
