“But what?” he breathes. “That isn’t the only gown. There are more in your dance room, and more shoes too.”
“This isn’t about the gifts, though they’re lovely, I…” My voice strains.
“Then what is it, sweetheart?” He cups my face. “Tell me.”
My brows dip. I hear Angel whinnying outside while the gown glitters in front of me.
But then I think of Blossom and Eden, somewhere in the castle, and my other sisters, back home. I think of Amaryllis, probably on another adventure in Night Alley. And then the enchanted collar that, until a few days ago, was fastened tight around my neck.
“I can’t stay here.” The words fall out of me. “You kidnapped me, and I was your prisoner. I can’t stay with someone who did that to me. It’s not right.”
I lift my gaze to his, expecting to see anger, but there’s only sadness. “Are you not happy here?”
“I’ve only been here a few weeks,” I argue.
“And I’ve known since the night of your sister’s party that you would be mine,” he growls. “We’re married now.”
“That was hardly a wedding?—”
“You’re still my wife.” He grasps my waist, pulling me closer. The dance gown spills out from my lap as I’m pulled into his. “Do you think I would’ve arranged a marriage between us in front of my entire court, arranged hundreds of dahlias from the faeries, if I didn’t intend to keep you here as my wife? You are mine, Princess Dahlia.”
“I won’t be your prisoner,” I snarl. “If you keep me here, I will never love you.”
A smirk touches his cheeks. “I seriously doubt that, my darling.” Standing up, he pushes me against the table, trapping me with his arms. “I think you already love me,” he murmurs. “I think you’ve wanted to be mine since the first time you threw yourself at me at your sister’s party.”
“You were the first man I saw,” I huff.
“Liar.” He draws closer to my ear, kissing it like he can’t help himself. “I felt your pussy outside when you opened your legs like the desperate whore you become around me.” My chest heaves. “You were fucking soaked, little monster.” He pulls back to meet my gaze. “Don’t forget that.”
My hands grip the edge of the table. “Let’s make a deal then.” I try to keep my voice steady, but it’s a wobbling mess. “If I still don’t want to be here by the end of your party in two nights, you’ll let me go.”
He laughs, shaking his head. “You’re going nowhere, sweetheart.”
“If you want me to ever love you, you’ll accept my deal.” My voice hardens. “I’m serious, Tauren.”
“So am I, my love.” Lifting his hand, he grips the back of my head, searing me with a kiss forceful enough to take my breath away. After a few heartbeats, he pulls me back by my hair. “If you insist on having a deal, I will give you one,” he offers, breathless. “I have until the end of the party to make you admit that you need me. If you do, you will stay here by my side forever.”
“And if I don’t?” I whisper.
His gaze turns lethal. “Then, I’ll let you go.” Something about the way his hand slides around my waist says otherwise, though.
“I accept your deal.” I nod, clearing my throat. “I should go and find my sisters. I shouldn’t leave them alone here.”
But Tauren doesn’t let me go. “They’ll be fine. The guards know to keep an eye on them.” His gaze falls to my lips again, but he doesn’t kiss me. Surprisingly, he pushes away from the table and pulls out my chair again for me to sit.
“Sit down, Dahlia,” he orders. “We’re not finished here.”
I know better than to disobey him. With shaking knees, I hurry over to the seat and sit down.
His glare softens, then he smiles in a way that makes my traitorous heart flutter. “There’s my sweet girl.” Lifting a fruit skewer from the dessert table, he dips it into the chocolate fountain. “Now, open wide for me.”
I almost groan. I won’t last the night.
35
TAUREN
My pretty wife has been avoiding me. After the feast, she insisted on being shown to her new dance room and since then she’s kept the door firmly closed, leaving only to call for her two sisters so they can hide in there with her.
