Rounding the chair in front of his father’s desk, Amos slowly lowered himself into the leather seat. “I didn’t know you were coming or I would have met you at the edge of town.”
“I didn’t think to send word,” Phillip said dismissively. “It doesn’t matter.” He leaned forward and clasped his hands together on the desk. “It’s time to announce Jennifer as your mate.”
Amos froze. “You agreed not to tie me down yet,” he said carefully.
His father’s jaw ticked. “And because no one has seen yourfamiliar, they’re getting restless. We need to give them a distraction.”
Arguing would be futile. “When do we travel back to the capital?”Will I get to see Clover first?
“We’ll start the tour here then travel to each oasis before ending at the capital. It will be quick to ensure you’re back before the next sacrifice.”
Announce Jennifer here.If he couldn’t get to Clover before the announcement or she heard it from someone in town on her way in… he couldn’t allow himself to imagine it.
Fighting to keep his voice steady, he asked, “When is the announcement?”
“When we arrived earlier, I had one of the guards instruct the post to send out a royal notice for an announcement in front of our estate tomorrow morning.”
Oh fuck.What if Clover arrived tomorrow? This kept getting worse. “Will that be enough time?” He clutched for any excuse to delay. “Should we do it next week?”
The king scoffed. “Everyone knows to read a royal notice immediately. We need to leave as soon as possible to have you back for the next sacrifice. Upsetting the dragons is not an option.”
Somehow, Amos knew this wouldn’t work out in his favor. He’d have to go to the Ambrose’s in the morning to warn them, and pray Clover would understand.
The next morning, a knock woke Amos from a restless sleep. A butler bowed slightly when he opened the door. “Your father has asked me to ensure you’re dressed and ready for the assembly within the hour.”
The floor dropped out from beneath Amos’ feet. “This early?” When his father said the announcement would be today, he’d thought he meant in the afternoon. Not first thing in the morning.
“Yes, Your Grace.”
“You know not to call me that,” Amos snapped, then sighed. “I’m sorry. This is just unexpected.”
The butler’s face softened. “It’s better to obey him and get this over with. You’ll be back before you know it.”
Amos swallowed the lump in his throat and nodded. “Thank you.”
I’m fucked.
Clover bounced all the way from the carriage to her family’s front door. Today, she would see Amos for the first time in years. They’d shared countless letters, and it might seem silly to other people, but she loved him, and she thought he loved her too.
Her father stood on the porch and met her halfway, engulfing her in a crushing hug. “We missed you, little mouse.”
“You saw me last month,” she mumbled against his chest. They tried to come every month or so to visit her in the Human Kingdom.
“Too long,” he chuckled, releasing her.
“Can I see Amos?” It was early, but she’d begged her brother to leave last night. They had to ride slower because of the dark, but she’d refused to wait.
“We have to leave for an assembly,” Ruth said, ushering everyone into the house. “The king sent out a royal notice. Apparently, they’re announcing the prince’s mate today.” She lifted a brow. “Is there something you want to tell us?”
Clover’s jaw dropped. “What?”
Ruth glanced at Marcus then back to Clover. “You didn’t know?”
Unable to form words, she shook her head. He wanted to announce her? Why hadn’t he told her? He must not have received her letter that she might not be there in time.
“He told me yesterday he intended to ask you to stay,” her father said. “Said he’d do whatever it took to make you stay. If anything will do it, it’s this.” He grunted. “I want it to be your choice. Can’t say I like him forcing this on you. That’s not like him.”
“I want to stay,” she said quickly, her excitement building.
