Page 17 of This Is Not True Love’s Kiss

Be better, Arthon’s voice barked in my ear. Show her the kind of leader she needs to be. Her shortcomings are your shortcomings, Lorcan.

“You seem tense,” Wolfe said.

Of course I was tense. We were about to have our first town hall meeting ever, and I had no idea how it was going to go, what kind of mood Aoife would be in, especially after our fight a few days ago. When she’d told me she would rather be a statue than my wife.

“Maybe we can delay the town hall,” Nevan said, all my brothers facing me as we stopped in the middle of the road.

“Absolutely not,” I said. “I’ve been planning this for months.”

Cillian spread out his hands. “Plans can change.”

Not this one.

Wolfe sighed. “Lor, you’re a good man. One of the best I know. You’re an amazing king, and you care for your people.”

“Can I speak?” Nevan raised a finger.

My gaze softened. Nevan was the smartest of us, no doubt. Also probably the kindest. “You don’t have to ask permission, brother.”

He shot a look at Wolfe and Cillian on either side of him. “We’re worried about you. It’s like you’re trying to prove yourself when you’ve already won. You’re king. You’re admired by everyone.”

I could think of one person whose admiration I didn’t have. She and Arthon would probably get along, actually. He’d get a kick out of how feisty she was, and he’d probably agree with all her criticisms. He’d be horrified that I left the brotherhood, left my job as the rebel leader.

“I’ve made a lot of mistakes,” I said, thinking of the rebels I’d left behind. Of Leena, my right-hand person, the tears and betrayal in her eyes when she’d discovered I wasn’t coming back to the rebels with her. That I was staying here to be king.

“We’re past that,” Wolfe said. “You’re forgiven, Lor.”

“I know.” I had forgiven myself. But I couldn’t fail Fairwitch Isle like I’d failed Arthon, Leena, all the rebels who were counting on me to do what I’d said I would. To destroy the brotherhood from within.

Somehow I’d do both. I would still find a way to overthrow the brotherhood, but first I had to take care of my home.

“We’re going to be late,” I said. “Let’s go.”

I marched past my brothers and toward the town hall, feeling so sure that today would be a starting point, an answer to all the problems we’d been experiencing. If the people could just come together and have an honest, safe place to voice their concerns, a place where their leaders listened, we could make progress. Aoife and I could make progress. I was sure of it. I just needed my wife to behave.

We approached the tall wooden building, tucked into the corner of Fairwitch Isle, our invisible barrier shimmering behind it. Thick cone-shaped trees covered the mountainside, and pine needles and cones snapped under our boots.

“What is that?” Cillian tilted his head.

“What?” I asked, gaze roaming the forest surrounding us for signs of a threat. But no, we were safe. I’d just checked the border a few days ago.

“Music,” Nevan said. “There’s music at the town hall?” he asked, nose wrinkling.

“Finally.” Cillian clapped his hand on my shoulder. “Lor is actually doing something fun. I’m rubbing off on you.”

“No you’re not.” I shook his hand from my shoulder, an ominous feeling rising in my gut.

“Too bad,” Cillian mumbled. “Music would’ve been nice.”

“There is music.” Wolfe pointed toward the building. “I hear it too.”

My jaw clenched as I stalked forward, feeling a whoosh of air over my head as my crown appeared. I’d learned Castle made the crown appear at official events.

I wrenched open the door, stopping short as my brothers bumped into me. The town hall I’d so carefully prepared for with seats for everyone, a raised dais for the council members, Aoife, and me, the podium for townspeople to stand at and raise issues—it was all gone.

Replaced by musicians on the stage, playing lively tunes I didn’t recognize while people danced. Tables lined the edge of the room, filled with food and goblets of wine.

Fargus flew toward me, landing on my shoulder. “I tried telling her this was a terrible idea,” he said, wings ruffling. “I tried, Your Majesty.”