Page 104 of Bride of the Fae Prince

“Punishments?” I scan his body, looking for sign of injury and finding none.

“His favorite means of punishment these last couple of centuries has been executing a member of my staff.” Ash’s face darkens, followed by a flash of pain as his jaw flexes. “He took Hylath. He made Rahk cut off her eyes.”

I gasp, covering my mouth with both my hands, and before I can stop them, tears well up, clouding my vision. “Hylath?”

“And he knows he upset me this time—I didn’t hide my reaction as well as I usually do. Which means he knows this is an effective way to break me.”

Two tears slip down my cheeks, but I swallow the rest behind a firm wall of determination. “He’snotgoing to break you, Ash.”

He looks at me, emotions warring across his face. “Sometimes I think he won’t, and other times it seems the inevitable outcome.”

“He’s not going to break you,” I say again, firmer this time.

His eyes narrow. “You sound so convinced of that. Pray, tell me why, little wife?”

I squeeze his hand, meeting the force of his gaze with my own. “Because the High King is fightingagainstyou, against anyone who defies him—human or fae. Butyou, Prince Trenian, are fightingforsomething.”

Slowly, his lips part, his jaw going slack, and he stares at me as though stunned.

“He’s fighting to keep his tyranny,” I continue, bolstered by his reaction. “But you are fighting for freedom. For hope, for peace. Forme,Ash. That’s why you won’t break.”

Before I know what is happening, he’s captured my face in both hands, my lips with his mouth, kissing me with a sudden burst of passion that leaves me dizzy.

“How did I just walk up to your father’s palace and find you?” he breathes between kisses. “How did I marry a stranger—only to discover I’d wed an angel? I’m half afraid the moment I turn around, you’ll have sprouted wings and flown out of my reach.”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m not going anywhere,” I say, pulling back just enough that our lips aren’t touching anymore. “But we must figure out what to do about the invasion! Can we get word to my father? So he can prepare?”

Ash springs off the couch, setting into a vigorous pace in front of me. I go cross-eyed watching him go back and forth, back and forth, so I pry my eyes away from the pensive line between his brows, the way he rubs the stubble along his jaw with one of his large hands, and instead focus them on my lap. That’s when I realize I’m still wearing my nightgown and robe.

My sickness.

I have many questions to ask Ash.

“The human armies will be no match for the High King’s forces.” His voice is grim when he adds, “Or Rahk. Sending word won’t make a difference.”

“They could evacuate the cities! Perhaps the children could be spared, if they could be warned and aided.”

Maybe Amelia is already in Enslington. Time flows differently between our worlds. She might be married and safely out of harm’s way. Or maybe she is just as at risk as everyone else.

He shakes his head. “They won’t be able to move fast enough. They’ll be overtaken, and then they’ll spend their last days hunted and terrified out of their wits.”

“So a slaughter is better?” I demand, fisting my hands in the fabric of my robe.

He lifts a hand, staring at the floor as though his mind is working. “No, no, of course not. We must stop the armies from leaving.” He pops his head up suddenly, one eyebrow upraised. “We could kidnap Rahk.”

I flash him a dubious expression, and he nods even without looking, waving his hand toward me.

“No, you’re right. I can’t overpower Rahk, so I’d have to come up with some trick, which might work in a pinch. But the key is to ensure that the High King is the one who finds Rahk tied up—well, no, that would humiliate him.”

Rahk’s humiliation is definitely preferred to the mindless slaughter of my people, but I keep my mouth shut. For now.

“Besides, taking Rahk out of the equation will only delay the inevitable, but not as much of a delay as we need. I can bargain with the High King. That would show my hand—that I’m against this, even though I implied the opposite in the throne room. But it might be the only good option. If I can think of an enticing offer . . . something he wants more than the human lands. Or, rather, something worth delaying his conquest for . . .”

Ash looks up at me, frowning severely. I blink back at him.

“He wantsyoudead,” he says. “Not that I would sacrifice you for your people—Great Kings, no. I don’t care how many people must die for you to live. But, maybe . . .”

A slow but sure grin spreads across his face as those cunning eyes light on me. “I’ve got it.”

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