Page 53 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

“We would be married.” His tone was somber.

“I have heard marriage can be a joyful estate.”

Ghost snorted.

I looked to the pooka for support, but he just held up his hands. “I have no experience with said bliss, so I can’t speak to the matter.”

“What about the elves? They seemed pleased with their marriages,” I argued. Casimir had dropped by briefly the day before with a missive from Illeron, which included a whole newsy paragraph about his wife and children.

“Are your sister and brother-by-law happy?” Azulin countered.

“There are no guarantees of happiness,” I admitted.

“So, they aren’t.”

I shrugged. “Choices have risks.”

He rubbed his forehead. Pain pulled his mouth tight.

“Other than the fact we are stuck with each other, what are the disadvantages?” I asked. My vine throbbed in time with what I suspected was his headache.

“Your life won’t be your own.” He grimaced.

“When has it ever been mine?” Unwilling to let him suffer, I pressed onward. “With you, I am fed, clothed, and provided for.”

“In exchange, you have to live in a fishbowl.” He peered at me from beneath his lowered brows. “Tethered to a grumpy, cold, twisty fae. You told me you didn’t like fae.”

I almost laughed. “I have little affection for the Unseelie who threw me in that labyrinth. You, however, I’ve grown attached to.”

“My court will hate this. If they accept our marriage, they will try to manipulate the situation to their advantage. You will live every day at significant risk.”

“Before my abduction, my life was dedicated to the defense of my community. They expected me to die for them.” I narrowed my gaze. “Do you find me offensive?”

“Quite the opposite.” Azulin groaned and covered his face, but not before I glimpsed a strong emotion I couldn’t name. His mouth quirked. “You will have to provide me with an heir.”

“Only one?” I asked. “I would want more.”

Ghost snorted, but I ignored him. The vine on my arm tightened painfully. Azulin’s shoulders hunched, and he grunted.

“The curse is fighting this,” the pooka observed.

“All the more reason to follow through, then.” I reached for Azulin. “What do we need to do to complete the bond?”

“I just need to sleep for a bit.” Azulin batted my hand away.

“Idiot,” the pooka muttered from behind me. “Look, do you want to be free of this curse?” he demanded.

My vine burned and Azulin’s eyes flew open as agony contorted his face. He sent a murderous glare at the pooka before bending forward with his arms wrapped around his middle. Uttering a great groan, he nodded.

“Then you have to do this.” The pooka turned to me. “If the standard fae traditions apply, we can do this right now. An exchange of vows and a sealing kiss is all that is needed.”

“In the traditional language,” Ghost added.

The pooka and I both stared at him.

“I did some research too.” Ghost frowned at us. “Traditional language, true names, vows, and two required witnesses. Your marriage will be legally and magically binding. No need for a kiss.”

“Acceptable but disappointing.” The pooka turned to eye me. “Are you willing?”

---