He took a moment to digest that information before his confusion morphed into a sneer. “And what are you to gain from it?” he demanded.
“In exchange for my cooperation, she has offered me unfettered access to the shipping routes to the Northern Realm, which, as you may know, are where we elvish conduct a large part of our trade.”
“So, my mother is selling me off? To you?” he said with a fleeting look of betrayal. Which part was more distressing to him? That he was being betrothed as part of a trade deal, or that it was to me?
“She intends tolendyou to me, it would seem,” I corrected.
“But whyyou?” he insisted as if deeply offended.
I stood to match his stance. I was taller than him but not as wide. Squaring my shoulders, I addressed him directly, “She told me that she has warned you on many occasions that there would be dire consequences if your behavior did not improve.”
“Yes, but that’s what she does. She complains and makes threats, and then I ignore them,” he said with a scoff.
“It would seem this threat was not idle.”
He turned and stalked over to the window, his wings tucked tightly at his back like a folded fan. With both hands, he ripped apart the velvet curtains to gaze out onto the courtyard below. I winced from the sudden shaft of light that cut through the dim room.
“So, this is my punishment, then.” He sounded pensive, as if trying to puzzle out his mother’s larger scheme.
I approached slowly and laid my hands on his shoulders. Instead of tensing, he relaxed under my touch, so I gave a light squeeze and scented him–apprehension and something else too… excitement?
“Your mother believes I can tame you,” I told him. “Her words, not mine.”
“Tame me?” He turned to face me. “Tameme? What does that even mean?”
I studied the peak of one ear where a jeweled emerald cuff clung to the delicate fold of skin, then followed the curve down to his strong neck and the tendons that pulsed with life. Blood was a craving for me, not a necessity, though I’d wager the prince’s blood was exceptional.
“She means for me to offer you some structure and guidance. Apparently, when you are not carousing with your guardsmen or bedding the commoner, you’re drinking too much ale and starting fights with visiting tradesmen. That speaks to a lack of purpose and direction. Perhaps I can provide you with that.”
His full lips curved downwards, making his stubborn jaw even more pronounced. I’d always been fond of his pout. If I were the one to put it there, even better.
“And I would live here? With you?” he asked.
I nodded. “Likely part of why I was such an appealing match.”
“She wants to be rid of me?”
“She wants to remove you from your current environment. A fresh start in a new place. You could look at it as a sort of training camp, to help you learn the ways of a gentleman.”
“Andyou’rethat gentleman?” he scoffed.
“I could be.” I was confident in my sophistication, at least.
“And would we… fuck?”
A wave of lust swept over me, so alarming and sudden that I took a step back. His scent was too overpowering. Of course, I was intrigued by the possibility of taking the willful prince apart piece by piece, but I would never act without an ample amount of trust, respect, and communication between us. The fae prince was not to be trifled with, nor was he one of my contractual bedmates, paid to serve.
“This would be a diplomatic arrangement, an extension of the treaty between our realms. My duty, first and foremost, would be to shape you into a proper young man,” I told him.
“You didn’t answer my question,” he said with a cunning look.
I schooled my expression into one of impassivity. “That aspect of the arrangement would be worked out between us, as two consenting adults.”
“Hmmm,” he said, then moved toward me, pinning me in place with those stormy blue-gray eyes. “There’s just one thing I can’t figure out.”
“And what’s that?” I asked, wishing to clear up any misconceptions.
“Why would you agree to this? You…. youhateme,” he said with a sudden passion.
