Page 38 of Bride of the Fae Prince

“I love you,” I whisper to her, swallowing back my own tears. “You are my dearest treasure in the world.”

“How do I know you will be alright?” she whispers so quietly no one else can overhear.

I tighten my arms. “He is good, Amelia. He was kind to me. I know I will be happy with him.”

“Are you sure?”

I smile, give her another squeeze, and step back. I wipe away the lone tear that escaped my guard. “I’m sure.”

Then suddenly, a bolt of frantic energy hits me. The servants packed for me. I don’t have anything that I’m attached to, except—

“My plants!” I gasp, whirling around, as though they might be sitting by the door, just waiting for me to scoop them up. “I didn’t—”

“Plants?” Ash asks, and then turns to the line of servants. “Fetch the princess’s plants at once!”

“They’re in your trunks!” Amelia assures quickly. “I made sure they didn’t get left behind.”

I sag in relief, and share one last grateful glance with my little sister before Ash offers me his hand. “Then are you ready, my darling?”

I draw a deep breath and place my hand in his. “I am ready.”

Chapter 17

The Princess

Ash hands me intothe carriage, then climbs in behind me. He sits opposite me, legs spread wide, elbow resting on the window. He props his chin up on his fist, staring at a tiny gap between the curtains.

I fold my hands in my lap and stare down at them. A thousand questions fill my mind, but I cannot ask them. My heart still thrums with the strangeness of forever goodbyes, denial beating like a drum in my breast. That cannot have been the last time I will see my family ever again. It’s unfathomable. I’ll never see my maids again. Never see the single portrait of my mother hung in Father’s study. Will my plants grow in Faerieland, or will they die?

My life is with my husband now. I steal a peek at him, find him exactly how he was a moment ago. His brow is drawn in a thin, tight line, as though he contemplates something serious and concerning.

I’m too nervous to ask.

It’s better to be quiet and watch, to take my cues from him. Right now, he’s not giving cues. I stay silent.

The carriage gives an unexpected lurch. I barely catch myself on the seat, splaying my hands to brace myself. Ash hardly moves. I let out the breath I was holding.

Then the carriage lurches again. Harder than before. I don’t have time to catch myself this time. I go flying forward, straight toward Ash. His head turns, eyes widening, right as I land with my palms on his chest, trying to stop my fall, my face just shy of his—our mouths nearly touching. He instinctively catches my waist, his arm wrapping around me. He gives a short swallow.

Then he blinks, and his mouth quirks. “Can’t restrain yourself around me? I don’t blame you, darling.”

I turn scarlet. I try to get a few words out, but I have neither a reply nor a willing tongue. I’m frozen, unable to move, trapped.

His expression softens, and he tilts his face up to nuzzle his nose against mine. Shock ripples through me, blazing across my skin. I blink twice, then again. Finally, my body obeys what I tell it, and I give a little push on his chest to put me back in my seat.

His hand catches hold of my wrist, and when I look up at him in surprise, he tugs me down to the seat next to him. It’s not exactly roomy, and even less when he spreads his arms across the back of the carriage, all but putting his arm around my shoulders.

“Well!” he says, and I’m not sure he knows what he intends to say.

I wait.

He swivels his head to mine. “Tell me one of your thoughts.”

Again?“But I told you two last night!” The protest is out of me before I can stop it.

“What can I say? I’m a greedy husband. So tell me one of your thoughts, or else I’ll kiss you.”

Panic bursts in my chest. Notbadpanic—just . . . a thrill of something heady that is more than a little terrifying.

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