“Of course.” He dips his head, retreating into the shadows of the balcony room. “I’ll draft another letter.”
“Wait.” I raise my palm. There’s an idea that’s been drifting in my mind, floating and sharpening ever since I carried a certain princess into my bed last night. “Send Elheart an invitation.”
“An invitation?” His brow creases. “What are we inviting him to?”
“My wedding,” I speak casually despite flames licking at my heart. “If Elheart refuses to give us Maeve, then I will have to show him how serious I am about claiming his bride as my own. Princess Dahlia will become property of the demon court by marrying me.”
Colour drains from Kennix’s face. “You wish to marry the princess? Are you certain, Tauren?”
“I am. Tell him the wedding will be held a week from tonight. He has until then to accept our trade offer. Otherwise, I will be claiming his bride as my wife and we will devise another plan to rescue Maeve.” I try not to think about how claiming Dahlia would feel, her small body under mine, the noises she’d make as I take her virtue.
Kennix nods. “Let’s hope Elheart sees sense and finally lets her go.” But I’m barely listening as I push open the door to the hallway. I’ve left Dahlia alone for far too long.
Besides, if our wedding is in seven days, it’s time I told my bride.
10
TAUREN
Dahlia was not where I expected her to be. After leaving Kennix to write the invitation, I climbed the dozens of stairs to my tower to find my chambers empty and the gown I’d left for her missing from the wardrobe.
It didn’t surprise me that she was awake. I was cautious with the sleeping powder. After seeing how small she was, I’d only sprinkled half a dose over her meal last night. I’d heard too many stories of humans sleeping for days and waking up near-starved. While I normally wouldn’t care, for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to put her through that.
Itdidsurprise me, however, that she had taken the shoes I’d left for her and wandered into the castle, especially considering how nervous she’d been in the throne room.
The collar would stop her moving beyond the walls, so I wasn’t worried at first. Until I’d swept through the entire castle once, twice, three times. I even sprinted down the dank steps that led to the dungeon, checking every cell in case I had a guard with a death wish.
But she wasn’t in the dungeon. Nor was she in the ballroom, or the banquet hall, or in any of the nobles’ bedchambers.
My anger had reached its boiling point by the time I finally found her – laughing wildly, galloping around the stables onmyink-black horse… with my grinning little brother on his own mare, trying his best to keep up.
“Claren!” I boom across the grass.
His horse rears. Their laughter dies before his horse’s hooves hit the ground.
“Tauren,” Claren squeaks. Scrambling off his horse, his foot catches on a stirrup and he hits the grass with a thud before untangling himself and hurrying up to me.
Dahlia chooses instead to remain on my horse, trotting gracefully over to the two of us. “Good evening, Captor,” she addresses me casually. “Or should I say good morning, since the moon has almost fallen?” She glances up at the night sky, the glow of the moon dancing off her cheekbones and small nose.
When the seamstress asked me what sort of clothing I’d like for her time here, I described the first gown that came to mind.
That was a mistake. I realise it now.
The more I stare, the more anything I wanted to say dissolves on my tongue. She looks just like she did at the ball. Wine-coloured fabric sweeps low across her breasts and teases the soft curves of her hips. She’s also not riding like a lady normally would. Everything from her left hip downwards is completely exposed through the slit in the gown, and it takes several deep breaths for me to not reach for her. To not push her dress aside even more.
I force myself to turn to my baby brother. I’ll deal with him first.
“I suppose you’re responsible for loosening my princess’s collar?” I meet his fearful gaze. I didn’t even know the boy had learned magic yet. How much is he able to do now? Enchantments aren’t simple.
“I…” He closes his lips for a moment before continuing. “Dahlia helped me with some trouble in the hallway, and I returned the favour by allowing her to walk outside. She can’t leave though! I made sure I didn’t completely remove your enchantment!”
“You could’ve taken it off?” Dahlia leans against my horse’s neck. “Are you serious, Claren? I thought we were friends.” She’s pouting, but there’s humour in her tone.
“You’re my brother’s prisoner.” He winces.
“Wait?Brother?” She bolts upright. Her eyes flick between Claren and me. “How did I not see that before? If not for the hair you could be twins.”
“We could not,” I grumble.
