Page 145 of Bride of the Fae Prince

The Nothril entourage likewise turns and marches away. Rahk is the only one who looks back, who finds Ash and me in the throng of onlookers. His face is an impenetrable mask, but the gesture itself says more than enough.

I peer up at Ash, at the grim set of his handsome brow, the tight angle of his jaw. Still, the light remains in his eye, that fierce glint that at times has scared me. The glint that says he will play this game as ugly and messy as he must to win.

He takes my hand and guides me back into the palace, his gaze constantly roaming, his nose upturned for the scent of threats. He leads me through quieter passages, away from the din. I make note of every turn, memorizing this palace that—if all goes well—will be my home for the rest of my life.

Maybe.

“Ash,” I whisper.

He looks down at me, and with a flick of his wrist, the scattering servants’ and guards’ footsteps around us are cut off, leaving us in a silent bubble.

“He’s going to retaliate,” I say.

“The Neverseen King will distract him.”

He says those words, and they are true—but we both know they shield a lie. He knows as well as I that angering the High King always,alwayshas its price.

“I’ve spent too much time defending, and not enough time attacking—or attacking for foolish reasons,” Ash says quietly, his large hand gripping mine. “This time, I’m attacking from every front. Yes, he will retaliate, but I intend to set enough fires ablaze that his attention grows divided. Then we can swoop in for the final blow. Speaking of which, we have one final trap to lay.”

Chapter 53

The Prince

I’m ready for thecelebration of Lulythinar’s Eve long before Stella is. Dottie is just as particular as Hylath, and insists I am not to see my wife until she is completely ready.

So I sit, staring out at the sun setting over the garden outside. Butterflies dance among the flowers, their wings incandescent and shimmering, catching the rays of the dying sun like fluttering jewels.

They are things of such beauty.

And they areohso fragile.

My heart has beat an irregular rhythm since the visit from the Nothril Court.

He will retaliate.

He knows how to make me regret this.

One butterfly in particular catches my attention. Its wings are iridescent purple with pink eyes and silver glitter. It goes from flower to flower, then flies into the air and twirls with its friends.

It’s so oblivious to the dangers of the world it lives in. So oblivious to its own vulnerability. And even to its own beauty.

As the room darkens around me, as the sun descends lower on the horizon, I cannot help but voice the fear I’ve been trying to suppress all day. The fear that has plagued me from the moment I first laid eyes on Princess Isabelle Louise.

What if this doesn’t work?

What if I risk it all . . . and lose?

What if I lose her after all?

I want to be fearless, to be the rock and shield she needs. I’m being careful, so careful.

But I’m terrified.

That’s the honest truth. I’ve been trying to hide from it, to convince myself I know exactly what I’m doing. And I do know what I’m doing. I wouldn’t be going through with this if I didn’t believe we had a chance.

This can work.

But the possibility of success doesn’t make this game any less treacherous.

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