Page 16 of A Kingdom of Broken Bonds

Fae abilities far suppress our own, so it wouldn’t surprise me if they were able to traverse the mountains. From the stories I’ve heard, they are vicious and fiercely protective of what belongs to them, including those they consider family. If Finnik adopted the prince into his circle, then I am going to have to watch my back.

“I pronounce the ball open, enjoy your evening!” the king announces, startling me back into the present. “The prince and first bride will begin the first dance.”

The prince grumbles under his breath, and I watch as his posture stiffens. While I don’t quite make out what he says, I do hear several expletives that would make many females blush. However, I’m not any random female, I am the first bride. Fragile females don’t last in this role, which has been proven from some of the previous brides who died before they could fulfil their destiny.

Smoothing out his features, he offers me a gentle dip of his head as is protocol. As I place my hand in his, I’m grateful for the curtsy I’m expected to give, as it gives me the excuse to lower my face. The feeling of his skin against mine causes the bond to do a cartwheel in my chest, and it’s not a comfortable sensation.

I don’t understand it. I crave his touch, yet it is more like I’ve been starving for years and am craving anything I can get. Everything will settle down. At least, that’s what I keep telling myself.

Leading me out onto the dance floor, the prince places his hand on my waist. His expression seems to be back under control, his face blank as the music starts and he leads me into a simple dance. His touch is light and almost non-existent, making his discontent clear to me.

I can only imagine what we look like to everyone watching—the perfect fairy-tale match, a true mated pair and the first to help complete the prophecy. The music swells, my skirts shifting around me in a flurry of colours. We speed up, the prince’s grip becoming firmer as he moves us into more complicated movements. When I spin on the spot, I must look as though I’m on fire, being consumed by the bright autumnal colours. We have only been dancing a short time, and I sense something strange happening—I am beginning to enjoy myself.

What is even more surprising is that Havoc isn’t watching me with hate-filled eyes anymore. While it might not be declarations of love, it could be a start.

Feeling more confident, I meet his gaze. “I am surprised that you decided to turn up. You seemed confident you weren’t going to marry me earlier.”

It comes out sounding more accusatory than I meant it to, and I regret saying it as soon as it leaves my mouth. Any hint of warmth disappears in an instant, a scowl replacing it.

“Nothing has changed. I am only here for my people.”

What in the underworld does he think I’m here for? Does he really think that I want to leave my home and people to come here every six months, where I’m treated like a social pariah and taught how to be the perfect bride? Funnily enough, that isn’t the life I would have chosen for myself. If he gets the impression that I do want to be here, then I’ve done my job well.

Hearing that your mate is only dancing with you because he believes his people will suffer if he doesn’t is a blow to my confidence, but I will not let him know it. My entire life has been dedicated to serving my people, and he is spitting on my sacrifice.

“Do you think I wanted this?” I hiss furiously, trying to keep my feet moving in time with the flowing music. “The only reason I agreed to marry a stranger is because I am trying to save my people.” He has to understand that, since that is why he is here too. Is his bond not aching, begging us to be together?

Scowling with disgust, he drags me to a sudden stop, and I stumble into him.

“I don’t care what you want.” Grabbing my shoulders, he roughly pushes me away from him. “You are wrong, I can’t even stand to touch you.”

With a scowl, he backs away and stalks off the dance floor. The music screeches to a halt, and everyone watches me with wide eyes, taking in as much of the drama as they can. While Havoc’s words were whispered, it feels as though he just announced to the whole room how much he despises me. This only gets worse as the gossip starts.

You are wrong.

There is something about me so bad, so wrong, that he can’t stand to be with me for more than a few minutes, even for the sake of his kingdom. My touch repels him. This isn’t just some misunderstanding or mild dislike. He hates me, and my soul feels like it’s fracturing in response. Breathing becomes difficult, the vice tightening around me making me feel as though I’m about to shatter into a thousand pieces.

I don’t care for him, and I certainly don’t love him. I was not brought up to whine and mourn over males who have no interest in me. I am better than that. The bond between us is undeniable, though, and it is tearing me apart. If he won’t acknowledge it, then how are we going to get through this? My soul is tied to him, and no matter how much I tell myself I would be better off without him, the bond is telling me otherwise.

Everyone is watching and talking about me, but the pain in my body from the rejection is making it impossible for me to focus. I just stand here and attempt to keep myself together. I’m alone out here, the voices blurring into one and ringing in my ears.

I need to hold my head high and walk from the dance floor like nothing happened. There is so much more at stake here than me, I just need to get through this agony.

A figure suddenly appears in front of me and pulls me against him, positioning my hands on his shoulder and moving me across the floor in a dance. My body falls into autopilot, automatically following the male’s lead. The pounding in my head eases slightly, and I feel like I’m able to focus on the body I’m pressed against.

Part of me already knows who it is, the otherworldly energy he gives off a dead giveaway. The haze of pain lifts, and I’m able to lift my head to meet my saviour’s eyes.

It’s the fae. Finnik.

Chapter Eight

“Finnik.” My choked gasp causes his hazel eyes to drop to mine. Before now, he had been looking over my shoulder, taking in the reactions of those in the ballroom. That is no longer the case. Taking me in with a sweeping glance, he ends at my face, curiosity written in his expression.

I use this moment to examine him in return, never having been close to the fae before. From a distance, I wasn’t able to see the mixtures of greens and browns in his irises, all shifting so they never appear the same at any one moment. There is a beautiful depth to them that I could lose myself in.

“So you are the one causing all the problems around here.” There is a mischief in his expression that I can’t quite put my finger on, making it difficult for me to decide if he’s joking or not.

I’m not the one who just publicly rejected his mate in front of a whole ballroom of people. The prince seems determined to cause as much drama as possible around our union, whereas I have always done my duty. I don’t have the strength to say that to the fae, though, my soul aching and broken in my chest.

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