Page 5 of A Deal with the Shadow King

Once we’re far enough from the village, the distance between us melts, and Isaac wraps an arm around my shoulders. All of a sudden, my long-sleeved dress feels a bit stuffy.

I curl into his side, and we slowly make our way to the back of Father’s estate, dragging our feet to make the moment last. Orange and yellow leaves pepper the countryside, and the tall corn and wheat fields are ripe for the upcoming harvest.

As we reach the cool shade of the willow tree, I unpin the hat from my hair and hang it up on a nearby branch.

Isaac gathers my hands in his. “I was surprised to hear that the king didn’t plan anything for your birthday tomorrow.”

Ohhhh, he planned something, Isaac. He’s selling me out to a dark Fae.

I fake a small yawn to mask the growing unease in my belly. “I told him not to. Throwing a party in the city would have cut our time here short.”

Isaac and I can’t see each other much in Lundan, Demeter’s capital. His studies take up most of his time, and there’s too many unfriendly pairs of eyes in the city. We wouldn’t get away with the same type of carefree behavior as we do here.

“I brought your birthday gift with me,” he says softly. The solemn tremble of his voice gives me pause, and I freeze when he bends to one knee. Oh no, no, no?—

“Penelope Emanuelle Darcy, I’ve thought of nothing but you all summer. You were my friend for years, but the last few months, you became so much more. Will you marry me?”

The leaves above our heads bristle in the wind, casting shadows upon his face. The sweet proposal echoes deep in my soul, but alas… “Oh, Isaac.”

Lines appear on his forehead, his hopeful, loving expression slowly melting into a guarded frown. “I’m the son of a duke, a perfectly acceptable match.”

I’ve discouraged all marriage talk this summer, trying to buy some time, but clearly, I haven’t done a good enough job. Boys never do what they’re told, my mother always said.

“You know I would love nothing more than to accept, but Father…”

He climbs to his feet, his eyes vulnerable once more. “I will ask for his blessing, of course. I just—I got ahead of myself.”

Tears threaten to spill over my cheeks, but I keep a straight face not to alert Isaac. He can’t know why I need to decline his proposal.

A mix of sadness and anger bubbles up my throat. “Father needs me. Mother’s death is still too fresh in his memory…if you ask him for my hand, he’ll tell you the same thing. One more year, that’s all I ask.”

He combs his fingers in his brown hair, leaving it all disheveled. “A lot can happen in a year, Penny.”

He can’t know that I’m cursed to spend half the year in Faerie. No one can know. After the year is over, if I manage to win the bet, I’ll be free to marry—but not before.

He squeezes my hands, his palms hot and sweaty. “Say yes now. Let’s leave the countryside as fiancés, and we can wait for spring to be married. That’s almost a year.”

My eyes dart to the ground, his compromise reasonable enough, making it harder for me to keep my head. “I really wish I could,” I whisper.

The wind blows dried leaves past our feet as we stand stock-still in front of one another for a few breaths, our chests rising and falling.

Isaac tilts my chin up with his index finger. “Are you in earnest? Do you really just need more time?” His bottomless blue gaze searches mine. “Don’t be cruel with me, Penny, and tell me now.”

“I would never lie to you about this,” I answer, my voice cracking in spite of my efforts. “I want to marry you.”

He inches closer, his voice melting down to a whisper. “Then I’ll wait for you.”

A small smile breaks through my despair, and I nod emphatically at his offer. “Thank you.”

“I’m leaving for Lundan tonight.” He bends down, our lips a hair apart. “I’ll miss you, Penny.”

“Me too.”

He presses his lips to mine for a second, and my heart booms at the sweet, forbidden caress. The scent of his skin—a mix of cologne and soap—sparks a searing heat below my ribs.

“One year…” he says, dragging his thumb across my cheek.

“One year.”

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