Page 35 of Bride of the Fae Prince

I give a sniffly laugh in response. “You make it sound so graceful.”

“You should sleep.”

“Will you?”

“Maybe.” His hand pauses its caress of my hair. “Why did your father veil you?”

So Father’s claim that it was our custom did not fool him. I sigh, fighting to stay awake long enough to respond. “Because he said I wasn’t beautiful like my sisters.”

Silence. I almost fall asleep. Then his hand goes back to playing with my hair as he mutters, “Then your father lacks eyes as well as a spine.”

And that’s the last thing I hear before oblivion claims me.

Chapter 15

The Prince

I lay on myback, trying to look anywhere but at the canopy over the bed. It’s a dizzyingly intricate tapestry design of a large geometric flower that makes me feel like I’m falling into spinning circles if I stare at it too long. Humans have such garish taste in décor.

I knew this night was going to be long, no matter how it went. No matter how ugly the canopy was.

I didn’t think it would be this long.

Stella’s head rests on my chest, one hand curled beneath her chin while the other rests on my ribcage. My arm is wrapped around her, her long hair falling over it like a sleeve. Her lashes fan her cheek, her pink lips parted as tiny snores fill my senses.

Part of me never wants dawn to come. Maybe we can stay like this, stay forever lost in the hope of something new and sweet.

It’s impossible. As sure as dawn comes, Lulythinar approaches. I need Isabelle—Stella—to survive until then more than anything, or else every plan and plot I’ve devised will be for naught.

But I cannot stay here, or anywhere else. I must take her back to Valehaven at first light. It would be easier to keep her alive until Lulythinar if I didn’t. Doing so, however, would ensure that I win the battle and lose the war.

I don’t play games I intend to lose, and I have much to do in Faerieland before Lulythinar.

After tonight, I am even more determined to win both the battle and the war. I must, for the sake of the butterfly asleep on my chest.

The first stains of dawn leak through the window. Stella shows no sign of stirring, and the last thing I want to do is wake her up. She needs sleep, especially after yesterday. I tell myself that is why I don’t get up when I ought, why I stay here holding her.

It’s definitely not because everything will change between us today. Because once the sun rises, I am no longer a bridegroom with his new wife.

I am the future High King of the Fae with a throne to win.

The Princess

I slowly stir awake,stretching my arms and legs, arching my back. Something tightens around me, and I realize the warmth surrounding me isn’t from the covers. My eyes blink open, and I find myself staring into those gold-flecked eyes.

“Ash,” I say stupidly as heat licks up my neck into my cheeks.

“Stella.”

His use of my new name only serves to deepen my flush as awareness spreads of how I’m pressed against his side and half lying on his chest.

“You’re awake,” he says.

I shake my head.

One eyebrow rises. “You’re not awake?”

“Nope.”

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