“You’re talking more than usual,” Ruth murmured.
Her brother carried a few of their bags through the door. “She does that when we talk about the prince,” he teased. Clover’s cheeks went up in flames.
“Change into cooler clothes and we’ll go,” her father said. “That wool dress will bake you alive.”
Without another word, she sprinted to her room and opted to wear one of her dresses she’d left here as opposed to her pants and shirt. After all, she’d be presented to the king for the first time.
With a face-splitting grin, she skipped down the stairs, knowing her life was about to change.
9
Clover, her family, and Rainer arrived at the royal estate, where a small dais had been constructed in front of the gates. The entire village had turned out, it seemed, and Clover lifted onto her toes to see the makeshift stage.
Her breath stuttered when she spotted Amos standing tall next to the king. He was even more handsome than she had imagined, and his portrait didn’t do him justice.
His hair was the same length, only not as boyish, and his jaw more defined. The muscles that had once been softer now strained against his long-sleeved shirt, and the broadness of his shoulders made her shiver.
She thanked the gods for bonding them together. He was hers for the rest of their mortal lives, and sometimes she still couldn’t believe it. A handsome and powerful man who believed in her ability to protect his sister and treated her as an equal felt like a faerietale.
“How do I get to the stage?” she asked her sister. “Will they call me up? I should get closer.”
Ruth eyed the stage warily. “I think you should stay here.”
Clover followed her line of sight, her brows pinching together. She’d missed the girl standing behind Amos. Theextremelyprettygirl with red hair, a plump, round face, and generous curves. Jealousy flared in her chest, and Amos’ chest heaved, his head swiveling to scan the crowd.
It could be nothing, but the trepidation rolling off of him sat heavy in her gut.He’s worried I’m not here. That has to be it.
Mustering all the courage she had, she elbowed her way through the crowd until she stood in front of the stage, slightly to the side. She looked for the stairs, figuring she should be close to them.
She heard Rainer call her name, but she ignored him, trying to shake him off as he grabbed her arm. A foreign panic flared in her chest, and she snapped her head toward Amos, who looked at her like she was the worst thing he’d ever seen. He quickly turned his head forward, and the king called for everyone’s attention.
Clover looked at Rainer. “I don’t understand what’s happening.”
“We need to leave,” he murmured, and the pity in his voice felt like a slap in the face.
“He’s announcing me as his mate,” she protested, trying to convince herself more than him. “How can he if I’m gone?”
“Clover, please.” She’d never heard Rainer beg before, and she knew whatever was about to happen would destroy her.
She shook her head. “I have to see.”
He nodded and turned with her to listen to the king. She’d missed half his speech, and the bond buzzed with Amos’ turmoil.
“I’m sure you are all anxious to meet your future queen,” King Phillip boasted with a smile Clover hated. The crowd cheered, and in that moment, she hated them too.
Amos’ father turned expectantly to Amos, who cleared his throat and motioned for the girl to come forward.
He wouldn’t do this to me.
“I am pleased to present you with your future queen, my mate, Jennifer Clemmens. Highborn from the East Oasis.”
Jennifer beamed and waved politely to the crowd. She held herself like a true queen, and as if Clover’s world crumbling around her wasn’t enough, the girl rose onto her toes and kissed Amos on the lips.
Clover couldn’t concentrate on what Amos felt in that moment, because the feel of her heart shattering consumed her. She stared at him, willing him to look at her and say it was all a sick joke.
But he didn’t. He stood at his father’s side, smiling at the crowd and holding Jennifer’s hand. Hate tore through her devastation like a wildfire. She hated everyone on that dais. The king for being who he was, Jennifer for being a beautiful highborn more suited for the crown, and Amos for destroying her so completely that she didn’t know if she’d recover.
Amos’ hand went to his chest, and his gaze finally snapped to hers. His face crumpled, but he quickly looked away and smiled at the audience, breaking her a little more.
