“I do. I am the Ever King’s favorite besides you, Liv.”
I almost grinned, almost wanted to join in the taunts. The Ever King had no care for much of anyone beyond his queen.
Celine flattened her palms on the vanity table, sneering at the fae princess like a challenge. “What would happen if I turned it on you, earth fae? You’ve looked more than once at Heartwalker.”
Mira heaved a sigh. “My greatest failure. Where I have befriended the wicked Ever King, alas, his cousin is as hardened as stone. I fear I may be forced to concede.”
I studied my fingers, a curl to my lips. “You could always draw a blade against him. Before you know it, you might be taking vows.”
The room hushed, and I bit the tip of my tongue until the heat of blood filled my mouth. Gods, why did I speak?
Then, they laughed. Even Celine.
“You might be onto something, Skadi.” Mira held up her hands as though displaying a thought in the air. “How to snare a husband—threaten to kill him.”
This was odd. Not . . . horrible, but odd.
And it ended too soon. A heavy knock came to the door with a deep, urgent voice of the guard, insisting it was time to find our places.
The vows were about to begin.
Chapter 8
The Nightmare Prince
The elven palacewas filled with guests and royals from across the kingdoms, but familiar voices were drawing too close to my dressing chamber.
“Although, I’m thrilled you’ve finally sought me out first, I must ask if we’ve thought this through?”
I let out a long sigh as the door opened with a crash against the wall. My father filled the doorway, clad all in black as though this were an ordinary day. He had hold of the arm of King Ari, Mira’s father.
The two kings were vastly opposite.
Where Kase Eriksson was dark, Ari was bright. Daj did not speak much, and opted to be a silent, broody observer in most settings. Ari reveled in chatter and levity and busy words.
My father nudged Ari’s shoulder. “Just use that mouth of yours and speak some bleeding sense into him.”
I returned an exasperated look. “Really, Daj?”
My father said nothing, merely pointed a finger at me, a silent threat to comply and allow him to carry out his new scheme.
The door slammed behind him, leaving me alone with King Ari.
“Jonas.”
“Ari.”
The king adjusted a black circlet of raven wings over his golden hair. “How long do you think we must remain in here until he’s convinced I’ve endowed you with my immense wisdom? I need your father to believe I’ve done it, for he has never openly asked for my input, although we all know he craves it.”
I laced the front of my tunic and puffed a rogue strand of my dark hair off my brow. “I’m curious what made him seek you out. Are you the distraction while he arranges a kidnapping to steal me away?”
“I believe that might’ve been his first plan but your mother stopped him.”
Gods.
With a sigh, Ari came to my side. “He wishes me to speak to you, hoping I talk you out of this decision since I also took vows of convenience. He’s merely worried for you, and in his frenzy, has obviously overlooked a gaping flaw in his plan.”
“What’s that?”
