“Nice to meet you.” I press my palm against hers and consider her greeting, knowing she can’t lie.
She’s not happy to meet me.Sure enough, her hand drops the instant our palms meet.
“Perhaps the two of you should go for a walk,” my mother says. “Get acquainted.”
I shoot her a glare. Is this why she scared away every girlfriend I’ve ever had? So she could marry me off to someone convenient for her?
“Take her for a walk,” she repeats, her voice echoing like a drum.
Owena’s brow quirks up, then her eyes widen as I grab her hand and pull her out of the room, back into the gardens.
“This is not the proper way to escort a lady,” she says, smacking my arm until I let go of her.
“Sorry,” I mumble. Not sure what came over me.
“Here. Bend your arm like this.” Owena demonstrates, bringing her right hand to rest on her chest.
I imitate her, then she slips her fingers into the crook of my elbow. It’s an improvement—her hand felt wrong in mine. Too smooth, like ice.
“Good. We’ll make a prince out of you yet.” She meets my gaze as she pulls her shawl tight. The inky wells of her eyes draw me in, practically absorbing the sunlight. “You can walk now,” she says, nodding ahead.
I blink free of her haunting eyes. “You seem cold. Would you like my coat?”
A bitter laugh huffs out of her. “We’re not there yet.” She nudges me forward, and I start walking. “I’m going to need an entirely new wardrobe. It’s far too chilly here.”
I lead us along a different path from before, this one stone, to a spot with a stream running through it, lined with orange and pink tulips. Some nearby lavender bushes fill the air with their soothing scent. My steps pause, a strange ache twisting in my chest.
“It’s warmer where you’re from?” I ask.
“Much.” Owena turns her gaze to a hummingbird zipping between blossoms. “I’m told you’re from the mortal realm?”
“Until yesterday. This is all very”—I lift my free hand to gesture, then drop it—“new, I suppose? So don’t take it personally if I don’t seem excited about marrying you. I only found out ten minutes ago.”
“I found out a week ago and still hate the idea. Nothing against you. You’re actually better-looking than I expected, knowing you’re half mortal.”
I let out a sharp laugh. “At least we’re stuck with people who are nice to look at. Could be worse.”
“Especially since consummating the marriage is required on our wedding day.”
“Wait, what?” Heat rushes to my face. My brain had not gotten that far into this marriage.
Owena frowns. “Is that not how mortal unions work?”
“It is, but… I didn’t think it’d happen right away.”
“It’s necessary. We wouldn’t be properly bound in the eyes of the Land otherwise.”
Fuck.I pull my arm free of her and slap my face into my hands.
“I’ll try not to take your obvious dismay as a personal affront,” Owena says. “Would this be your first time?”
My head shoots up. “What? No! Of course not.”Why am I blushing?“And it’s nothing against you. You’re beautiful. I’m sure it’ll be very… nice.”
What am I saying? And why is this even bothering me?
She’s gorgeous. I should be fine with this.
But I’m not.
