I swallow hard as the Elf’s gaze sweeps again to me, like a wolf that’s just caught the scent of its prey.
“Tell your King he still has my blessing with the plans we spoke of last night.”
The guard dips his chin. “If that will be all, I’ll be taking my leave, your Majesty,” he says, turning toward the door.
“Wait a moment,” my father calls out, and the Dark Elf halts in his tracks.
A sliver of dread travels down my spine as he slowly turns back around. “Yes, Your Highness?”
Father’s gaze sweeps over him, assessing. “Are you married?”
The guard tilts his head, frowning. “No, I am not.”
Father nods, as if this was a perfectly reasonable conversation. “Then I would like to offer you Princess Vivienne’s hand in marriage.”
I gasp. “Father, youcannotbe serious.”
The soldier’s jaw drops. “I—I am but a common soldier.”
“It doesn’t matter. My daughter requires a husband. Your king is an honorable man. He wouldn’t keep you in his service if you weren’t the same. You’ll do,” Father says, his voice calm, final. “I will provide you with a horse, a cart, and a bag of gold coins. That should be sufficient for a dowry.”
The Dark Elf stares at Father a moment before turning to me. He has the nerve to look me up and down as if truly considering this ridiculous offer.
“I accept.” He nods. “I will take her as my bride.”
Horror fills me. “Have you gonecompletely mad?” I gesture to the Elf. “He’s a common soldier! He—he’s not even human! And I’ll have to leave the kingdom… leave my home!”
Father levels me with a look. “You would have had to do that no matterwhoyou married.”
Desperate, I search for any way out. “Alright,” I say hurriedly. “I’ve changed my mind. I’ll marry the High Elf prince.”
Father sighs. “He left after you insulted him.”
I falter. “The Bear shifter, then?”
“Gone as well.”
I glance toward the doors. “What about—”
“I already told you: you drove them all away, Vivienne.”
“No, that can’t be—”
“That is the reality of the situation,” he says firmly.
I whirl on the soldier, narrowing my eyes. “Fine,” I sneer. “You really want me to marry thisstranger—this common soldier that you know absolutely nothing about except that he is not even human?”
“I do,” Father replies flatly before he turns his attention to one of his guards. “Find a priest.”
My heart slams against my ribs. I glance at my brother, but he averts his gaze, the traitor.
Surely, this cannot be real. Perhaps I’m dreaming… maybe this is a nightmare. I pinch my hand to wake up, but it doesn’t work.
How in the seven hells am I going to get out of this?
But then it occurs to me. This has to be a bluff—father’s way of teaching me a lesson. Well, if so, then I’ll make him sorry he even tried.
I lift my gaze to the Elf and find him studying me as if I am already his.
