Page 38 of A Broken Throne of Bronze

“Well, you’re not me. You and I are nothing alike.” Ignoring his warning, I take a step forward, sharpening my words so they fly at him like iron-tipped arrows. “You took everything from me—my life, my family, my lover—and you think I’m just going to be some docile little creature that does as she’s told?”

“That lover of yours is still mine to do with as I please,” Viridian seethes.

“As if you would let me forget that.” Bitterness drips from my words.

“It appears that you need some motivation to stay in line.”

“You arrogant, pompous, entitled fae bastard!” The force of my fury is so strong that I’m shaking. “If I’m so difficult to manage, then why don’t you send me home and pick someone else to be your bride?”

The way his jaw ticks tells me that I’ve hit a nerve.

“Send me away,” I continue, daring to press him further. “Then neither of us has to suffer the other’s presence anymore.”

Viridian only glowers at me, clenching his jaw. He lowers his face to mine, until our noses nearly touch. “If only it was that easy to be rid of you.”

That catches me off guard. He’s the Crown Prince of all Inatia. What in the gods-damned world could make it difficult for him to send me away?

I falter. Even though it’s only for a moment, it gives Viridian enough time to cross the room and stop with his hand on the door.

He pauses, still standing with his back to me. When he speaks, he doesn’t even look my way.

“Your doors are to be locked after sunset.”

“What?” My voice goes shrill. “You’re locking me in here at night?”

Viridian says nothing. But his silence is answer enough.

“You can’t do this!”

“I am the Crown Prince!” Viridian yells, turning around to face me now. His eyes are wild. I think I’ve finally pushed him past the point of no return. “And you are a commoner. I can do as I please.”

Then, he strides into the hall without another word. As if he can’t get away from me fast enough.

The door closes behind him just as quickly, sealing my fate with the single click of a lock.

I run to the vanity table and yank open the drawer.

All the hair pins are gone.

“Argh!”

Running to the door, I fling myself at it.

“Viridian!” I shout. “You noble fae prick! Unlock this door!”

Though I know it’s no use, I pound my fists into the wood over, and over, and over, while letting out wordless screams. Ramming my hands into the door, I howl until my throat feels raw, and my voice ragged.

I scream for Loren.

I scream for Father. For Acantha.

I scream for myself. Because I’m locked in the wolves’ den, forced to live among them for the rest of my inconsequential, mortal life.

And, because I’ll be forced to marry the worst one of all.

Chapter Ten

Despite having dinner with him every night, I haven’t spoken to Viridian in weeks. Since he confronted me after I found Loren in the dungeon.

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