He does not look back. “There.” He gestures to it.
“But it’s covered in thorns.” I pause as my gaze travels over it again, and add, “Sharp ones.”
“Yes,” he replies dryly. “I know.”
I stare at it. “That isnota proper chair.”
“No, it is a throne. And if you don’t sign the contract before the time limit, it will be yours,my Queen,” he says sarcastically.
I turn to face him. “Iam notsitting on that.”
He arches a brow. “Then I suggest you give me your signature.”
“I refuse to sign anything,” I snap, “until I have someone verify that it does what you claim.”
“Fine,” he says, waving a dismissive hand in my direction. “I’ll summon one of my advisors.”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You really expect me to trust someone in your court?”
He closes his eyes briefly and scrubs a hand down his face in frustration. “Then what do you suggest?”
“I want my husband to review it.”
His eyes snap open. “Absolutely not.”
“Why?”
“Because,” he says tightly, “your husband would sooner reduce me to ash than listen to a single word of explanation.”
That sounds about right. “My husband will come for me.” I give him a smug look. “And when he does,Iwon’t be the one in danger.”
Furious rage flashes through me, and I go still as I realize it isn’t mine.
It has to be Auren. He said he could sometimes sense my emotions through the bond, but this is the first time I’ve felt his.
“Yes.” Branneth sighs heavily, drawing my attention back to him. “I’ve no doubt he’ll come… eventually.”
“Eventually?” I echo.
“It will take days,” he explains. “Even for him.”
“He’ll come sooner. Auren will find a way.” Even now I can feel his determination to find me, through the bond. “I know he will.”
A ring of blue smoke appears before us a moment before an Incubus steps through. I narrow my eyes as I recognize him. “It’syou.”
He flashes a grin. “Taryx at your service.” He bows low. Before I can say anything else he turns to Branneth. “I could retrieve her husband and bring him here,” he offers. “Get this all over with faster if you’d like.”
“You were lucky to breach his kingdom’s defenses once, Taryx,” he grumbles. “If you try it again, the Elves will likely smite you on sight.”
Branneth drums his clawed fingers on the arms of his throne. “Besides, a few days of travel might cool King Auren’s anger sohe’ll be less likely to smitemeon sight when he finally gets here. And give me a chance to explain before he decides to end me for taking his mate.”
“I have an idea,” I offer as I look at Taryx. “Why don’tyoutakemeto my husband, and I’ll straighten all this out, and we can avoid all the… smiting.”
Taryx snorts, and Branneth pins him with a dark scowl before he turns his attention back to me. “Fine,” he says, and hope sparks in my chest before he adds, “Simply sign the contract, and you’re free. After that, Taryx will take you wherever you want.” His golden eyes meet mine, narrowing. “Refuse, and the magic will decide for us when you turn twenty-three.”
“If you do as he asks, I’ll take you anywhere you desire,” Taryx says. “And if you decide you’d prefer a bit of adventure before returning to that dreary city under the mountains, might I suggest the sunny beaches of Solwyck? And before you say no”—he winks—“you’ve never truly experienced life until you’ve traveled with an Incubus.”
“Absolutely not,” I huff. “I demand you take me back to my husband. Now.”
