He sets down his glass. “We should perform the Bonding ritual.”
The Bonding ritual.So that’s what it’s called. I cross my arms over my chest. “We most certainly will not.”
His expression darkens. “Why did I expect anything else?” he mutters.
“Yes, why did you? We may have done a ridiculous dance and called it a ceremony, but I am not your mate. When we marry, it will be for alliance purposes only. Nothing more, and you know it. Do you really think I’m going to participate in a ritual where I give you my name?”
“You know.”
I turn up my chin. “I should have been told sooner. Giving you my name—”
He takes a step toward me, and something like panic crosses his face. “Did it ever occur to you that I don’t want to do this either? Especially when it means I have to give you my name in return?”
I’m surprised by this. He has to give me his name too? Cobalt only mentioned my part in the ritual. Still, what good will having his name do me? It’s not like humans have access to whatever makes fae overpower us.
“I’ve been thwarted by your kind time and time again,” he says. “Now I’m supposed to trust you with the one thing that could be my undoing.”
“Well, it seems like forgoing the ritual will be mutually beneficial then.”
He presses his fingers to his temples, grumbling something unintelligible. “Fine,” he finally says. “We’ve both had a long day. We’ll postpone the Bonding.”
“We’ll cancel it,” I correct.
Aspen’s jaw shifts back and forth. “We’ll get some sleep and reassess in the morning.”
“Then I’ll be going.” I spin on my heel toward the door.
Aspen strides toward me, blocking the door. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“I already told you,” I say with a sneer. “I will never allow you to bed me, not even for the sake of sleep. I’m returning to my room.”
“How do you think that will look to the ambassadors? The vicar? I don’t know who’s a spy, who’s plotting against me.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “I know exactly who.”
He tilts his head back, surprised. “Who?”
I cup my hand over the side of my mouth and motion him closer. My voice starts as a whisper and ends in a roar. “No one, you arrogant, self-obsessed, paranoid fool. No one is plotting against you. You’re the one murdering humans and endangering the treaty, no one else!”
His chest heaves with rage, and I realize I’ve gone too far.
I try to keep my composure as I take a step away from him. “I should leave.”
“No,” he growls. “I will.” With that, he storms to the doors and out of the room, leaving me in stunned silence.
Chapter Twenty-Four
For minutes on end, I just stand there, unable to move. But can you blame me? Aspen left me in what is obviously his personal bedroom. I’m both too afraid to leave and too afraid he’ll return at any moment.
When I finally get the nerve to further investigate my surroundings, I find my belongings have already been transferred here. One side of the wardrobe holds most of the fae dresses that used to be in my old room. The dressing table and screen have been brought over as well, taking up a corner of the room next to an enormous carnelian tub. My bag, my surgery kit, and all my stray items have been neatly arranged behind the dressing screen.
The only things missing are Amelie’s. I blink back tears at the thought.
I find a nightdress in the wardrobe and change behind the screen, even though the room is empty. Then I take my dagger and wander the room again, investigating every crack, looking under every table and within every shadow. Once I’ve surmised no threat has been left for me, I make my way to the bed. My fingers tremble as I turn down the covers, peel back the spider silk sheets. This is Aspen’s bed.His bed. The thought is equal parts disturbing and thrilling.
I allow the latter sensation to prevail, finding satisfaction in the fact that I’ve momentarily won. He forfeited his bedroom tome. And if he’s going to be so difficult, I certainly won’t suffer for it. Let him wander the halls or sleep in a closet, or whatever it is brooding fae do when their pride is wounded. Let me get a good night’s sleep for once.
And I do.
