Page 117 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

I don’t look at the priestess while she speaks. I’m drawn to Viridian, and I can’t look away. Even though it only brings me pain.

He hardens his expression, mouth tight. He looks anywhere but my direction.

“We ask that Ohesis bless this male and this female,” the priestess continues, “as they both unite under his divine grace as husband and wife. Until both partners reach Death’s embrace, they shall remain as one.”

Viridian’s expression darkens.

And a horrible truth falls over me.

There is no hope for us. We will never be happy together.

Arms outstretched with her palms facing up, the priestess smiles at us. “You may now take hands, to symbolize your partnership and commitment to one another.”

Viridian hesitates. He takes a breath, and then takes my hands, recoiling as if the mere touch of my skin burns.

Looking over his shoulder, I see the High King furrow his brow. His burnt-orange eyes flare, and the muscles in his jaw tick with dissatisfaction. But I see through his mask. Underneath, I see what he tries to hide.

Fear.

There is something Vorr fears. Something that drives this marriage. And it is not love.

That, Viridian’s demeanor makes painfully obvious.

I force myself to breathe.

Inhale.

Exhale.

The priestess continues leading the ceremony. My stomach twists into knots. She speaks of marriage, family, and the union of two souls.

But all I can think of is the darkness clawing at my chest. The guilt, and the knife it wields, carving me up inside.

I press my lips together, tightening my expression to hold back tears. If Acantha were here, she would know exactly what to say. With one embrace from my father, I would feel better. Stronger.

But Father and Acantha are not here.

I am alone, apart from my kind. Standing before a sea of noble fae that will never understand me or where I come from.

And Viridian…

The one person that I thought could bridge the gap can’t even look me in the eyes.

That is what hurts the most.

We started as strangers. But somehow, we grew to be friends. More than friends.

Now, I’ve lost him forever. And it’s all my fault.

Because I couldn’t let go. Because I couldn’t take a leap of faith.

Because I was afraid.

When I first arrived, I thought he was an arrogant, territorial fae male that only wanted to possess me. That he and I would never care for each other. That we would never overcome our differences.

If only I’d known, then, how wrong I was.

Then maybe, things between Viridian and I would be different now.

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