Page 48 of Their Witch Bride

I nod, smiling. “That’s good. That name is so foreboding. I was scared just going through it myself.”

He clears his throat, and we wait for another coughing fit to commence. He pauses his speech for a spell, then continues. “It will never again have warriors pass through, only peace officials. If all goes well.” There’s a lull, and it feels like he wants me to respond.

Okay, Tara, keep things light and friendly. “Of course! No need for warriors when we’ve agreed to peace on both sides.” I offer a bright smile in response.

“We discussed starting trade with the witches.” He gives me a cautious smile. “Both sides have called their spies back to their own lands.”

“That sounds very peaceful to me!” I say cheerily. This treaty sounds great. If it lasts.

The king stares at me, waiting. The whole table waits.

Oh, fuck, do I need to say more? “I’m happy this treaty will finally bring both sides the peace that’s been missing for so many generations.” I clasp my hands in front of me, satisfied with my statement.

Everyone seems to deflate when I’m done speaking. Is being happy about peace wrong? Should I be upset?

The king turns his attention from me to Prince Arlys. “Son, have there been any more reports of the Illness spreading?”

Illness? “What illness?”

Humans get sick. The rest of us? Not so much. The shifters shouldn’t know anything of illness, even though there’s clearly something going on with the king.

The king’s expression grows grave, and his gaze holds mine. “The Illness is a disease sweeping through our lands. It started two years ago, and is growing more deadly with each day that passes, claiming more and more of our elderly.”

I stare, my thoughts swimming. “I don’t understand. An illness that affects shifters? How is that possible? Where does it come from?”

He studies me for a long moment before continuing. “Princess Tara, do you appreciate being given honesty as much as you enjoy giving it?”

“Yes.”

“I thought so.” He takes a deep breath. “The reason we wanted you as the Peace Bride is to use your magical abilities to find the cause of this illness and cure it.”

A general note of agreement sounds throughout the dining hall. All of the men are looking at each other and nodding.

Except, I feel like I’m going to throw up. Cure an illness? Me?

“Peace in exchange for life,” Prince Arlys says confidently.

More people murmur in agreement, but then all eyes are on me. My mind seems to be working slowly. The shifters have an illness they want cured and they expect… me to be the one to save them? Me? They want me, Princess Tara, to cure a disease that plagues their people? That makes no sense at all. There are several dozen witches back home alone who could probably figure it out.

I’m not among the people who can do it.

They really did get the bum end of this deal with me.

“If your abilities are just half of what your mother described to us, then you’ll be the answer to our prayers. You’ll be the savior to our people.” The king stares at me with hope glistening in his eyes.

Meanwhile, my stomach is in a knot. My abilities? She convinced him that I had enough power to not only sniff out the disease, but to also eradicate it. Fucking hell. My mother has set me up to fail. She knows I can’t do this, and when the shifters realize that, I’ll be dead, the treaty will be over, and the war will begin again.

It’s weird. I’m shaking. Partially with fear and partially with anger. I knew my mom hated me, but I never would have expected… this. I mean, what the hell is the point in all of this if she never wanted the treaty to last? A flick of my mother’s wrist would lead to my death, so that couldn’t have been her only goal.

I almost laugh at how ridiculous that is, but I’m too horrified. These shifters all have the same look of hope in their eyes, and it’s all directed at me. My magic might not be able to save them, but it’s clear I have to do something to save them, or fall for my mother’s trap.

“And that’s why this marriage happened?” I ask. My voice is soft, but at least I keep the horror out of it.

“Yes,” the king says easily.

I look at Princes Rinan, Drogo, and Arlys. There’s no question in their gazes, only acceptance. This is why they married me. The only reason.

“So that’s what I’ll be working on – curing this illness?”

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